Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 40% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,988 ($10) | $19 | - 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,952 ($6) | $11 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,789 ($2.92) | $5.19 | - 44% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 819 ($1.34) | $1.21 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,738 ($2.84) | $3.92 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,034 ($1.69) | $4.21 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,465 ($4.03) | $7 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,964 ($3.21) | $4.37 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 914 ($1.49) | $2.38 | - 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,079 ($1.76) | $2.95 | - 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,802 ($16) | $18 | - 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,538 ($2.51) | $2.37 | + 6% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 638 ($1.04) | $2.24 | - 53% | |
| Housing | - 69% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 69% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 576,403 ($942) | $3,253 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 289,321 ($473) | $2,659 | - 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,090 ($61) | $149 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 474,295 ($775) | $2,294 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 235,904 ($386) | $1,555 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 26,362 ($43) | $114 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 16,436 ($27) | $38 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 189,361 ($310) | $329 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 61,347 ($100) | $128 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,675 ($8) | $10 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,259 ($3.69) | $37 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 21% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 21% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,075 ($59) | $49 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 20,153 ($33) | $50 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 53,711 ($88) | $89 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 48,936 ($80) | $112 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 40% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 12,442,400 ($20,340) | $23,712 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 591 ($0.97) | $0.92 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 ($38) | $81 | - 53% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 6,120 ($10) | $19 | - 47% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 16% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 5,464 ($9) | $7 | + 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,314 ($15) | $21 | - 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 46,837 ($77) | $110 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,171 ($5.18) | $7 | - 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,698 ($4.41) | $3.71 | + 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,565 ($5.83) | $5.68 | + 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 ($2.60) | $3.57 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,346 ($2.20) | $1.93 | + 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,525 ($12) | $21 | - 42% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 48% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 ($21) | $50 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,909 ($10) | $27 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 23,454 ($38) | $202 | - 81% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,460 ($50) | $89 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,847 ($6) | $13 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,148 ($3.51) | $5.70 | - 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,447 ($2.37) | $8 | - 70% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 353,839 ($578) | $436 | + 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 47 ($0.08) | $0.43 | - 82% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 38,497 ($63) | $62 | + 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,260 ($3.69) | $9 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 50% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00163
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,523 prices entered by 155 different people.
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Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 50% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,400 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $4,669 (₡ 2,856,015) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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