Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 33% 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 873 prices entered by 101 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 30% 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 | ₡ 7,010 (CH$12,567) | CH$14,383 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,483 (CH$8,038) | CH$7,867 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,155 (CH$3,863) | CH$2,631 | + 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,082 (CH$1,939) | CH$1,111 | + 75% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,013 (CH$3,608) | CH$3,179 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,238 (CH$2,220) | CH$1,094 | + 103% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,523 (CH$6,316) | CH$4,805 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,663 (CH$2,982) | CH$1,431 | + 108% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,127 (CH$2,020) | CH$1,274 | + 59% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,110 (CH$1,990) | CH$1,113 | + 79% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,643 (CH$13,702) | CH$4,407 | + 211% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,605 (CH$2,877) | CH$1,970 | + 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 871 (CH$1,562) | CH$946 | + 65% | |
| Housing | + 32% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 32% 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 | ₡ 531,806 (CH$953,376) | CH$660,547 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 308,706 (CH$553,421) | CH$446,742 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,345 (CH$68,742) | CH$56,197 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 405,996 (CH$727,834) | CH$453,843 | + 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 274,784 (CH$492,609) | CH$302,312 | + 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 32,004 (CH$57,374) | CH$48,069 | + 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,730 (CH$26,406) | CH$19,871 | + 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 173,979 (CH$311,894) | CH$232,910 | + 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 71,408 (CH$128,013) | CH$73,161 | + 75% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,948 (CH$7,078) | CH$8,726 | - 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,436 (CH$4,367) | CH$10,658 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | + 46% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 46% 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) | ₡ 34,706 (CH$62,217) | CH$41,549 | + 50% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,914 (CH$35,700) | CH$25,976 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,772 (CH$103,569) | CH$58,261 | + 78% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,378 (CH$79,556) | CH$59,674 | + 33% | |
| Transportation | + 19% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 19% 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 | ₡ 14,456,600 (CH$25,916,537) | CH$12,467,000 | + 108% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 717 (CH$1,285) | CH$1,216 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,345 (CH$45,437) | CH$44,098 | + 3% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 8,273 (CH$14,832) | CH$10,711 | + 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 97% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 97% 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) | ₡ 3,480 (CH$6,238) | CH$2,642 | + 136% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,222 (CH$16,532) | CH$8,698 | + 90% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,401 (CH$63,463) | CH$33,519 | + 89% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,697 (CH$6,628) | CH$4,092 | + 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,072 (CH$5,507) | CH$2,757 | + 100% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,691 (CH$6,616) | CH$2,646 | + 150% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,454 (CH$2,606) | CH$1,377 | + 89% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 (CH$3,649) | CH$1,825 | + 100% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,246 (CH$14,783) | CH$9,897 | + 49% | |
| Entertainment | + 45% | |||
| Entertainment 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 dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 (CH$29,644) | CH$19,650 | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 (CH$12,308) | CH$9,228 | + 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,261 (CH$27,359) | CH$33,960 | - 19% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,075 (CH$59,295) | CH$30,513 | + 94% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,076 (CH$9,099) | CH$7,498 | + 21% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,832 (CH$6,870) | CH$3,461 | + 99% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,506 (CH$2,699) | CH$2,654 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 (CH$599,775) | CH$431,856 | + 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 42 (CH$76) | CH$91 | - 16% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 38,432 (CH$68,897) | CH$35,675 | + 93% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,623 (CH$4,702) | CH$4,026 | + 17% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 33% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 873 prices entered by 101 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 20, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.793
CLP
/
CRC
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For example, you would need at least CH$2,698,693 (₡ 1,505,368) in San Jose, Costa Rica to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with CH$2,030,000 in La Serena.
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