Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 18% cheaper than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States)
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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 940 prices entered by 99 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 9% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 9% cheaper than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Lexington, Kentucky | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 8,247 ($15) | $14 | + 12% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,107 ($9) | $9 | + 0% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,307 ($4.27) | $4.58 | - 7% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 984 ($1.82) | $0.94 | + 94% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,016 ($3.73) | $4.18 | - 11% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,153 ($2.13) | $3.93 | - 46% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 4,180 ($8) | $6 | + 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,429 ($4.50) | $3.44 | + 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,191 ($2.20) | $2.07 | + 6% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 900 ($1.67) | $7 | - 77% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,475 ($16) | $14 | + 13% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,649 ($3.05) | $1.77 | + 73% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 919 ($1.70) | $1.93 | - 12% | |
Housing | - 38% | |||
Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 38% cheaper than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Lexington, Kentucky | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 592,020 ($1,096) | $1,465 | - 25% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 300,344 ($556) | $1,298 | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,035 ($70) | $236 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,494 ($745) | $1,129 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 232,028 ($430) | $823 | - 48% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 29,406 ($54) | $87 | - 38% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,100 ($32) | $52 | - 39% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 250,782 ($464) | $268 | + 74% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,515 ($121) | $128 | - 5% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 10,228 ($19) | $12 | + 62% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,755 ($5.10) | $24 | - 79% | |
Clothes | - 6% | |||
Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 6% cheaper than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Lexington, Kentucky | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,857 ($72) | $59 | + 23% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 23,998 ($44) | $47 | - 6% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 55,702 ($103) | $99 | + 5% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 ($68) | $132 | - 48% | |
Transportation | + 35% | |||
Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 35% more expensive than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Lexington, Kentucky | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,283,000 ($30,152) | $24,383 | + 24% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 889 ($1.65) | $0.96 | + 72% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 30,682 ($57) | $33 | + 71% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 8,036 ($15) | $32 | - 53% | |
Personal Care | - 17% | |||
Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 17% cheaper than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Lexington, Kentucky | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 ($7) | $7 | + 7% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,693 ($20) | $25 | - 21% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 ($68) | $106 | - 36% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,378 ($6) | $5.78 | + 8% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 ($5.48) | $5.50 | - 0% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,549 ($7) | $8 | - 18% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,693 ($3.14) | $3.41 | - 8% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 ($2.87) | $3.16 | - 9% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 ($14) | $22 | - 36% | |
Entertainment | - 49% | |||
Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 49% cheaper than in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Lexington, Kentucky | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 11,094 ($21) | $47 | - 56% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,850 ($13) | $30 | - 58% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,323 ($28) | $170 | - 83% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 ($62) | $103 | - 40% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 ($8) | $12 | - 29% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 ($4.69) | $10 | - 51% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,355 ($2.51) | $5.98 | - 58% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 411,708 ($762) | $341 | + 124% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 ($0.08) | $0.84 | - 91% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,420 ($62) | $34 | + 82% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,382 ($4.41) | $7 | - 38% | |
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TOTAL | - 18% |

These prices were last updated on March 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00185
USD
/
CRC
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,300 in Lexington, Kentucky you would need to make just about $3,538 (₡ 1,910,772) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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