Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 42% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 636 prices entered by 68 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 45% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | La Serena | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,064 (CH$13,194) | CH$14,383 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,572 (CH$8,539) | CH$7,867 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,118 (CH$3,956) | CH$2,631 | + 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,085 (CH$2,027) | CH$1,111 | + 82% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (CH$3,364) | CH$3,179 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (CH$2,728) | CH$1,094 | + 149% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (CH$6,127) | CH$4,805 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,740 (CH$3,250) | CH$1,431 | + 127% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (CH$3,516) | CH$1,274 | + 176% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (CH$2,114) | CH$1,113 | + 90% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,744 (CH$18,199) | CH$4,407 | + 313% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (CH$2,954) | CH$1,970 | + 50% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 937 (CH$1,750) | CH$946 | + 85% | |
| Housing | + 57% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 57% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | La Serena | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 574,882 (CH$1,073,695) | CH$660,547 | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 363,154 (CH$678,255) | CH$446,742 | + 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (CH$77,362) | CH$56,197 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (CH$876,713) | CH$453,843 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (CH$518,365) | CH$302,312 | + 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (CH$62,738) | CH$48,069 | + 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (CH$32,587) | CH$19,871 | + 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (CH$419,641) | CH$232,910 | + 80% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 79,046 (CH$147,632) | CH$73,161 | + 102% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,178 (CH$9,671) | CH$8,726 | + 11% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (CH$5,020) | CH$10,658 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | + 59% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 59% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | La Serena | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 27,618 (CH$51,581) | CH$41,549 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (CH$45,499) | CH$25,976 | + 75% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (CH$121,661) | CH$58,261 | + 109% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 42,786 (CH$79,910) | CH$59,674 | + 34% | |
| Transportation | + 11% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 11% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | La Serena | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,013,800 (CH$28,040,950) | CH$12,467,000 | + 125% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (CH$1,306) | CH$1,216 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,762 (CH$38,777) | CH$44,098 | - 12% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 7,931 (CH$14,813) | CH$10,709 | + 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 132% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 132% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | La Serena | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,467 (CH$6,475) | CH$2,642 | + 145% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,654 (CH$18,030) | CH$8,698 | + 107% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (CH$84,135) | CH$33,519 | + 151% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 4,966 (CH$9,274) | CH$4,092 | + 127% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,177 (CH$5,934) | CH$2,757 | + 115% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,805 (CH$8,974) | CH$2,646 | + 239% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,540 (CH$2,877) | CH$1,377 | + 109% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,971 (CH$3,681) | CH$1,825 | + 102% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 11,351 (CH$21,199) | CH$9,897 | + 114% | |
| Entertainment | + 53% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 53% more expensive than in La Serena (Chile) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | La Serena | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,694 (CH$33,046) | CH$19,650 | + 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,031 (CH$13,132) | CH$9,228 | + 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,430 (CH$28,818) | CH$33,960 | - 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (CH$70,656) | CH$30,513 | + 132% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,819 (CH$10,868) | CH$7,498 | + 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (CH$5,332) | CH$3,461 | + 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (CH$2,625) | CH$2,654 | - 1% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 351,999 (CH$657,421) | CH$431,856 | + 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 40 (CH$74) | CH$91 | - 19% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (CH$65,847) | CH$35,675 | + 85% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,680 (CH$5,005) | CH$4,026 | + 24% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 42% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 636 prices entered by 68 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.868
CLP
/
CRC
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For example, you would need at least CH$3,074,409 (₡ 1,646,112) in San Jose, Costa Rica to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with CH$2,160,000 in La Serena.
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