Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica vs Long Beach, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 19% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 19% cheaper than in Long Beach, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,304 ($9) | $14 | - 35% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 4,136 ($7) | $8 | - 9% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,858 ($3.29) | $4.00 | - 18% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 845 ($1.49) | $1.05 | + 42% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,744 ($3.08) | $3.29 | - 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,063 ($1.88) | $4.40 | - 57% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,442 ($4.32) | $6 | - 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,925 ($3.40) | $3.32 | + 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,057 ($1.87) | $1.27 | + 48% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 896 ($1.58) | $2.55 | - 38% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,769 ($16) | $15 | + 6% | |
2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,442 ($2.55) | $1.85 | + 38% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 718 ($1.27) | $1.55 | - 18% | |
Housing | - 52% | |||
Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 52% cheaper than in Long Beach, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 697,778 ($1,234) | $2,414 | - 49% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 355,854 ($629) | $1,904 | - 67% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,314 ($73) | $133 | - 45% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 441,170 ($780) | $1,578 | - 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 234,444 ($415) | $1,153 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 32,658 ($58) | $76 | - 24% | |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,254 ($32) | $44 | - 26% | |
40” flat screen TV | ₡ 255,780 ($452) | $303 | + 49% | |
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 81,228 ($144) | $92 | + 56% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,343 ($8) | $12 | - 33% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,482 ($4.39) | $25 | - 83% | |
Clothes | + 18% | |||
Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 18% more expensive than in Long Beach, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,539 ($66) | $46 | + 46% | |
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 26,928 ($48) | $41 | + 16% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,850 ($108) | $87 | + 23% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 51,452 ($91) | $107 | - 15% | |
Transportation | - 26% | |||
Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 26% cheaper than in Long Beach, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,007,700 ($24,779) | $21,415 | + 16% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 661 ($1.17) | $1.00 | + 16% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 24,035 ($43) | $75 | - 43% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 6,137 ($11) | $19 | - 44% | |
Personal Care | + 2% | |||
Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is about the same as in Long Beach, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,320 ($5.87) | $7 | - 13% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,750 ($21) | - | - | |
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,721 ($63) | $76 | - 17% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,189 ($5.64) | $6 | - 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,321 ($5.87) | $3.48 | + 69% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,805 ($7) | $5.87 | + 15% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,856 ($3.28) | $4.03 | - 19% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,765 ($3.12) | $1.57 | + 99% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,383 ($11) | $19 | - 41% | |
Entertainment | - 58% | |||
Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 58% cheaper than in Long Beach, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,849 ($30) | $46 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,401 ($11) | $26 | - 57% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 25,841 ($46) | $146 | - 69% | |
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,638 ($51) | $78 | - 35% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,003 ($7) | $11 | - 36% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,938 ($3.43) | $4.66 | - 26% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,688 ($2.99) | $5.51 | - 46% | |
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 317,568 ($562) | $431 | + 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 ($0.08) | $1.47 | - 95% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,071 ($69) | $43 | + 61% | |
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,194 ($3.88) | $9 | - 54% | |
TOTAL | - 38% |

These prices were last updated on December 05, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00177
USD
/
CRC
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Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 38% cheaper than in Long Beach, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $6,600 in Long Beach, California you would need to make just about $4,111 (₡ 2,323,940) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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