Cost of living in Masaya, Nicaragua vs San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Currency:
Food | - 19% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 19% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 527 C$ (₡ 9,235) | ₡ 5,988 | + 54% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 162 C$ (₡ 2,845) | ₡ 3,952 | - 28% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 39 C$ (₡ 680) | ₡ 1,789 | - 62% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 C$ (₡ 288) | ₡ 819 | - 65% | |
12 eggs, large | 36 C$ (₡ 631) | ₡ 1,738 | - 64% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 30 C$ (₡ 521) | ₡ 1,034 | - 50% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50 C$ (₡ 870) | ₡ 2,465 | - 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 125 C$ (₡ 2,192) | ₡ 1,964 | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 40 C$ (₡ 704) | ₡ 914 | - 23% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 24 C$ (₡ 416) | ₡ 1,079 | - 61% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 350 C$ (₡ 6,137) | ₡ 9,802 | - 37% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 32 C$ (₡ 563) | ₡ 1,538 | - 63% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 38 C$ (₡ 665) | ₡ 638 | + 4% | |
Housing | - 16% | |||
Housing in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 16% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 8,352 C$ (₡ 146,433) | ₡ 576,403 | - 75% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ₡ 289,321 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,500 C$ (₡ 43,832) | ₡ 37,090 | + 18% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | ₡ 474,295 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₡ 235,904 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ₡ 26,362 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,100 C$ (₡ 19,286) | ₡ 16,436 | + 17% | |
40” flat screen tv | 11,500 C$ (₡ 201,628) | ₡ 189,361 | + 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,300 C$ (₡ 40,326) | ₡ 61,347 | - 34% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 125 C$ (₡ 2,192) | ₡ 4,675 | - 53% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₡ 2,259 | - | |
Clothes | + 12% | |||
Clothes in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 12% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,158 C$ (₡ 20,305) | ₡ 36,075 | - 44% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,800 C$ (₡ 31,559) | ₡ 20,153 | + 57% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,432 C$ (₡ 42,647) | ₡ 53,711 | - 21% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 C$ (₡ 31,559) | ₡ 48,936 | - 36% | |
Transportation | - 13% | |||
Transportation in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 13% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 480,000 C$ (₡ 8,415,780) | ₡ 12,442,400 | - 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 30 C$ (₡ 526) | ₡ 591 | - 11% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | ₡ 23,064 | - | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | ₡ 6,120 | - | |
Personal Care | - 36% | |||
Personal Care in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 36% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 300 C$ (₡ 5,260) | ₡ 5,464 | - 4% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₡ 9,314 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₡ 46,837 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 120 C$ (₡ 2,104) | ₡ 3,171 | - 34% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 55 C$ (₡ 964) | ₡ 2,698 | - 64% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 80 C$ (₡ 1,403) | ₡ 3,565 | - 61% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 C$ (₡ 701) | ₡ 1,593 | - 56% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 55 C$ (₡ 964) | ₡ 1,346 | - 28% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 92 C$ (₡ 1,606) | ₡ 7,525 | - 79% | |
Entertainment | - 26% | |||
Entertainment in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 26% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 326 C$ (₡ 5,711) | ₡ 12,943 | - 56% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 138 C$ (₡ 2,421) | ₡ 5,909 | - 59% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,500 C$ (₡ 26,299) | ₡ 23,454 | + 12% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,200 C$ (₡ 21,039) | ₡ 30,460 | - 31% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 120 C$ (₡ 2,104) | ₡ 3,847 | - 45% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 C$ (₡ 614) | ₡ 2,148 | - 71% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 28 C$ (₡ 482) | ₡ 1,447 | - 67% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₡ 353,839 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 10 C$ (₡ 175) | ₡ 47 | + 276% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 300 C$ (₡ 5,260) | ₡ 38,497 | - 86% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 80 C$ (₡ 1,403) | ₡ 2,260 | - 38% | |
TOTAL | - 17% |

These prices were last updated on March 01, 2021.
Exchange rate:
17.533
CRC
/
NIO
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Cost of living in Masaya (Nicaragua) is 17% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ₡ 1,790,000 in San Jose, Costa Rica you would need to make just about ₡ 1,477,381 (84,263 C$) in Masaya.
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