Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 20% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica)
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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 837 prices entered by 89 different people.
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| Food | + 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 19% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Montego Bay | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,580 (J$2,160) | J$834 | + 159% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,678 (J$1,333) | J$825 | + 62% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,431 (J$693) | J$703 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 986 (J$281) | J$387 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,161 (J$616) | J$420 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,206 (J$344) | J$249 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,002 (J$856) | J$800 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,980 (J$564) | J$1,161 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,246 (J$355) | J$321 | + 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 898 (J$256) | J$264 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,246 (J$2,350) | J$4,053 | - 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,614 (J$460) | J$239 | + 93% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 883 (J$252) | J$187 | + 34% | |
| Housing | + 13% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 13% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Montego Bay | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 587,935 (J$167,571) | J$120,012 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 319,371 (J$91,026) | J$102,978 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 33,405 (J$9,521) | J$16,297 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 410,086 (J$116,881) | J$88,388 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 245,106 (J$69,859) | J$57,152 | + 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 26,184 (J$7,463) | J$12,403 | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,583 (J$4,441) | J$5,277 | - 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 248,490 (J$70,824) | J$39,389 | + 80% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 66,647 (J$18,996) | J$17,484 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 9,134 (J$2,603) | J$2,019 | + 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,566 (J$731) | J$460 | + 59% | |
| Clothes | + 52% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 52% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Montego Bay | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,120 (J$11,150) | J$4,393 | + 154% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,318 (J$6,361) | J$5,104 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,164 (J$16,293) | J$7,503 | + 117% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (J$10,518) | J$9,278 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | + 19% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 19% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Montego Bay | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,942,700 (J$4,828,955) | J$3,788,280 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 865 (J$246) | J$151 | + 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 29,044 (J$8,278) | - | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 7,910 (J$2,255) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | + 41% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 41% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Montego Bay | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 (J$1,107) | J$708 | + 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,693 (J$3,048) | J$2,103 | + 45% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,334 (J$9,786) | J$3,217 | + 204% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,378 (J$963) | J$843 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (J$844) | J$854 | - 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,549 (J$1,011) | J$926 | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,693 (J$483) | J$301 | + 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,583 (J$451) | J$342 | + 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,277 (J$2,359) | J$1,443 | + 63% | |
| Entertainment | + 14% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 14% more expensive than in Montego Bay (Jamaica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Montego Bay | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,544 (J$3,575) | J$3,870 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,794 (J$1,937) | J$2,180 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,323 (J$4,367) | J$4,000 | + 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,121 (J$8,870) | J$7,207 | + 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,318 (J$1,516) | J$851 | + 78% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,953 (J$842) | J$238 | + 254% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,378 (J$393) | J$359 | + 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 432,881 (J$123,378) | J$20,000 | + 517% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 (J$12) | J$36 | - 66% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,285 (J$9,202) | J$7,749 | + 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,382 (J$679) | J$913 | - 26% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 20% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 837 prices entered by 89 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.28502
JMD
/
CRC
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For example, you would need at least J$392,675 (₡ 1,377,726) in San Jose, Costa Rica to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with J$327,000 in Montego Bay.
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