Cost of living in Bern, Switzerland vs San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Currency:
Food | + 131% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bern (Switzerland) is 131% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 24 (₡ 16,153) | ₡ 5,988 | + 170% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 13 (₡ 8,517) | ₡ 3,952 | + 115% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 13 (₡ 9,017) | ₡ 1,789 | + 404% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.83 (₡ 1,234) | ₡ 819 | + 51% | |
12 eggs, large | CHF 7 (₡ 4,923) | ₡ 1,738 | + 183% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.82 (₡ 2,577) | ₡ 1,034 | + 149% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 (₡ 8,087) | ₡ 2,465 | + 228% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.39 (₡ 2,282) | ₡ 1,964 | + 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.87 (₡ 1,932) | ₡ 914 | + 111% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 3.01 (₡ 2,028) | ₡ 1,079 | + 88% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 13 (₡ 8,939) | ₡ 9,802 | - 9% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.35 (₡ 1,582) | ₡ 1,538 | + 3% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 1.95 (₡ 1,316) | ₡ 638 | + 106% | |
Housing | + 167% | |||
Housing in Bern (Switzerland) is 167% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,234 (₡ 1,505,052) | ₡ 576,403 | + 161% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 1,753 (₡ 1,181,349) | ₡ 289,321 | + 308% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 170 (₡ 114,301) | ₡ 37,090 | + 208% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,486 (₡ 1,001,372) | ₡ 474,295 | + 111% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,186 (₡ 798,696) | ₡ 235,904 | + 239% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 96 (₡ 64,926) | ₡ 26,362 | + 146% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 45 (₡ 30,220) | ₡ 16,436 | + 84% | |
40” flat screen tv | CHF 618 (₡ 416,617) | ₡ 189,361 | + 120% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 203 (₡ 136,432) | ₡ 61,347 | + 122% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 8 (₡ 5,536) | ₡ 4,675 | + 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 29 (₡ 19,474) | ₡ 2,259 | + 762% | |
Clothes | + 96% | |||
Clothes in Bern (Switzerland) is 96% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 99 (₡ 66,501) | ₡ 36,075 | + 84% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 62 (₡ 41,685) | ₡ 20,153 | + 107% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 131 (₡ 88,078) | ₡ 53,711 | + 64% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 153 (₡ 103,132) | ₡ 48,936 | + 111% | |
Transportation | + 159% | |||
Transportation in Bern (Switzerland) is 159% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 24,370 (₡ 16,418,781) | ₡ 12,442,400 | + 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.53 (₡ 1,028) | ₡ 591 | + 74% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 114 (₡ 76,692) | ₡ 23,064 | + 233% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 41 (₡ 27,842) | ₡ 6,120 | + 355% | |
Personal Care | + 73% | |||
Personal Care in Bern (Switzerland) is 73% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 10 (₡ 6,436) | ₡ 5,464 | + 18% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 34 (₡ 22,570) | ₡ 9,314 | + 142% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 133 (₡ 89,757) | ₡ 46,837 | + 92% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 (₡ 4,751) | ₡ 3,171 | + 50% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.31 (₡ 3,577) | ₡ 2,698 | + 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.88 (₡ 3,290) | ₡ 3,565 | - 8% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.64 (₡ 2,451) | ₡ 1,593 | + 54% | |
Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.44 (₡ 2,318) | ₡ 1,346 | + 72% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 44 (₡ 29,509) | ₡ 7,525 | + 292% | |
Entertainment | + 148% | |||
Entertainment in Bern (Switzerland) is 148% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 67 (₡ 44,940) | ₡ 12,943 | + 247% | |
2 tickets to the movies | CHF 37 (₡ 25,091) | ₡ 5,909 | + 325% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 164 (₡ 110,320) | ₡ 23,454 | + 370% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 118 (₡ 79,210) | ₡ 30,460 | + 160% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 (₡ 10,463) | ₡ 3,847 | + 172% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.08 (₡ 3,421) | ₡ 2,148 | + 59% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (₡ 4,659) | ₡ 1,447 | + 222% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 551 (₡ 371,042) | ₡ 353,839 | + 5% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.37 (₡ 248) | ₡ 47 | + 431% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 100 (₡ 67,615) | ₡ 38,497 | + 76% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 8 (₡ 5,511) | ₡ 2,260 | + 144% | |
TOTAL | + 142% |

These prices were last updated on February 26, 2021.
Exchange rate:
673.721
CRC
/
CHF
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Cost of living in Bern (Switzerland) is 142% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
For example, you would need at least ₡ 4,409,675 (CHF 6,545) in Bern to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ₡ 1,820,000 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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