Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 49% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 675 prices entered by 79 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 23% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,075 ($14) | $20 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,615 ($9) | $10 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,107 ($4.23) | $6 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,103 ($2.21) | $1.43 | + 55% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,038 ($4.09) | $7 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,378 ($2.76) | $5.89 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,221 ($6) | $9 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,678 ($3.37) | $4.22 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,630 ($3.27) | $2.43 | + 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,083 ($2.17) | $2.59 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,583 ($21) | $15 | + 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,574 ($3.16) | $2.97 | + 6% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 926 ($1.86) | $3.80 | - 51% | |
| Housing | - 67% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 67% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 539,231 ($1,082) | $3,464 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 331,196 ($664) | $2,982 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 42,537 ($85) | $204 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 438,500 ($880) | $2,841 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 285,596 ($573) | $2,236 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,314 ($71) | $107 | - 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,423 ($35) | $71 | - 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 201,391 ($404) | $310 | + 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 77,559 ($156) | $101 | + 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,439 ($9) | $10 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,664 ($5.34) | $37 | - 85% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 8% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 29,522 ($59) | $63 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,931 ($44) | $49 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,821 ($132) | $124 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 46,689 ($94) | $131 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 56% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 56% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,859,400 ($31,819) | $26,786 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 704 ($1.41) | $1.32 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,734 ($42) | $146 | - 71% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 8,041 ($16) | $30 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 22% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,467 ($7) | $13 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,654 ($19) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,057 ($76) | $180 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 4,966 ($10) | $8 | + 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,524 ($7) | $4.19 | + 69% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,094 ($8) | $5.99 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,392 ($2.79) | $4.98 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,053 ($4.12) | $1.50 | + 175% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 9,011 ($18) | $28 | - 36% | |
| Entertainment | - 32% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 32% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,089 ($36) | $53 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,453 ($15) | $27 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,430 ($31) | $240 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 34,108 ($68) | $105 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,428 ($11) | $15 | - 26% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,921 ($5.86) | $5.14 | + 14% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,443 ($2.90) | $7 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 311,986 ($626) | $353 | + 78% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 40 ($0.08) | $0.16 | - 50% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,666 ($72) | $86 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,504 ($5.02) | $12 | - 58% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 49% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 675 prices entered by 79 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00201
USD
/
CRC
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $11,000 in Oakland, California you would need to make just about $5,596 (₡ 2,789,089) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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