Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica vs Kingston, Canada
Currency:
Food | - 22% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 22% cheaper than in Kingston (Canada) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,732 (C$12) | C$15 | - 22% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,879 (C$8) | C$9 | - 12% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,767 (C$3.67) | C$5.74 | - 36% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 817 (C$1.70) | C$2.61 | - 35% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,600 (C$3.32) | C$3.53 | - 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,019 (C$2.11) | C$3.57 | - 41% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,353 (C$4.88) | C$9 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,129 (C$4.42) | C$4.00 | + 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 919 (C$1.91) | C$3.05 | - 38% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,039 (C$2.16) | C$4.24 | - 49% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,723 (C$22) | C$16 | + 37% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,487 (C$3.09) | C$2.41 | + 28% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 675 (C$1.40) | C$2.23 | - 37% | |
Housing | - 46% | |||
Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 46% cheaper than in Kingston (Canada) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 568,751 (C$1,180) | C$1,996 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 282,034 (C$585) | C$1,244 | - 53% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,804 (C$83) | C$220 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 449,848 (C$934) | C$1,346 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 230,395 (C$478) | C$1,009 | - 53% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 24,866 (C$52) | C$119 | - 57% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,420 (C$32) | C$58 | - 44% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 189,361 (C$393) | C$467 | - 16% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 63,216 (C$131) | C$171 | - 23% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,446 (C$9) | C$13 | - 29% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,478 (C$5.14) | C$22 | - 76% | |
Clothes | + 17% | |||
Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 17% more expensive than in Kingston (Canada) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,092 (C$77) | C$63 | + 23% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,031 (C$44) | C$38 | + 16% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 55,547 (C$115) | C$98 | + 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 51,565 (C$107) | C$100 | + 7% | |
Transportation | - 20% | |||
Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 20% cheaper than in Kingston (Canada) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 12,020,500 (C$24,946) | C$23,254 | + 7% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 597 (C$1.24) | C$1.23 | + 1% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,831 (C$45) | C$67 | - 33% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 6,658 (C$14) | C$21 | - 33% | |
Personal Care | + 10% | |||
Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 10% more expensive than in Kingston (Canada) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,970 (C$8) | C$10 | - 18% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,173 (C$21) | C$16 | + 33% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 46,662 (C$97) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,289 (C$7) | C$9 | - 24% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,690 (C$5.58) | C$4.39 | + 27% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,594 (C$7) | C$5.50 | + 36% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,552 (C$3.22) | C$3.15 | + 2% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,292 (C$2.68) | C$2.35 | + 14% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,581 (C$16) | C$17 | - 7% | |
Entertainment | - 32% | |||
Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 32% cheaper than in Kingston (Canada) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,962 (C$27) | C$47 | - 42% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,041 (C$13) | C$26 | - 52% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 23,454 (C$49) | C$96 | - 49% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,199 (C$63) | C$86 | - 27% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,311 (C$9) | C$8 | + 17% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,210 (C$4.59) | C$4.75 | - 4% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,440 (C$2.99) | C$7 | - 55% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 325,729 (C$676) | C$544 | + 24% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 47 (C$0.10) | C$0.51 | - 81% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 40,724 (C$85) | C$51 | + 64% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,283 (C$4.74) | C$12 | - 61% | |
TOTAL | - 28% |

These prices were last updated on January 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00208
CAD
/
CRC
Do you live in Kingston? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Paris is 686% more expensive than in Caracas
- Cost of living in Santiago is 68% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Milan is 9% more expensive than in Riverside, California
- Cost of living in Montevideo is 79% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Barcelona is 139% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Santiago is 40% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Lisbon is 45% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in New York City is about the same as in London
- Cost of living in Valencia is 106% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Amsterdam is 32% more expensive than in Madrid
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Guelph (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ann Arbor, Michigan (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Allentown, Pennsylvania (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Raleigh, North Carolina (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Salvador (El Salvador)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Miami, Florida (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in London, Ontario (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kelowna (Canada)
Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 28% cheaper than in Kingston (Canada)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$6,500 in Kingston you would need to make just about C$4,680 (₡ 2,255,181) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Prices recently added
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Athens costs €700 (18 minutes ago)
- 200 ml beer in neighbourhood pub in Nagpur costs ₨150 (35 minutes ago)
- 1 kg of boneless chicken breast in Auckland costs NZ$40 (40 minutes ago)
- Summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) in San Francisco, California costs $25 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Durham, North Carolina costs $40 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Tallinn costs €1.30 (about 2 hours ago)