Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Argentina
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,580 (ARS $3,451) | ARS $3,956 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,678 (ARS $2,130) | ARS $2,337 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,431 (ARS $1,107) | ARS $734 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 986 (ARS $449) | ARS $290 | + 55% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,161 (ARS $984) | ARS $749 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,206 (ARS $549) | ARS $533 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,002 (ARS $1,367) | ARS $1,089 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,980 (ARS $901) | ARS $586 | + 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,246 (ARS $567) | ARS $279 | + 104% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 898 (ARS $409) | ARS $355 | + 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,246 (ARS $3,754) | ARS $1,714 | + 119% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,614 (ARS $735) | ARS $547 | + 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 883 (ARS $402) | ARS $205 | + 96% | |
| Housing | + 58% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 58% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 587,935 (ARS $267,650) | ARS $138,564 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 319,371 (ARS $145,390) | ARS $92,594 | + 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 33,405 (ARS $15,207) | ARS $14,139 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 410,086 (ARS $186,687) | ARS $104,179 | + 79% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 245,106 (ARS $111,581) | ARS $65,118 | + 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 26,184 (ARS $11,920) | ARS $9,263 | + 29% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,583 (ARS $7,094) | ARS $4,806 | + 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 248,490 (ARS $113,122) | ARS $107,360 | + 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 66,647 (ARS $30,340) | ARS $55,728 | - 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,570 (ARS $2,536) | ARS $1,517 | + 67% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,566 (ARS $1,168) | ARS $1,068 | + 9% | |
| Clothes | - 25% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,120 (ARS $17,809) | ARS $21,853 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,318 (ARS $10,160) | ARS $13,157 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,164 (ARS $26,023) | ARS $36,815 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (ARS $16,799) | ARS $30,999 | - 46% | |
| Transportation | + 85% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 85% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,942,700 (ARS $7,712,954) | ARS $6,920,660 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 871 (ARS $396) | ARS $243 | + 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 29,044 (ARS $13,222) | ARS $4,084 | + 224% | |
| Personal Care | + 97% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 97% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (ARS $1,763) | ARS $1,467 | + 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (ARS $5,028) | ARS $1,987 | + 153% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,334 (ARS $15,630) | ARS $4,077 | + 283% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (ARS $1,383) | ARS $1,059 | + 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (ARS $1,348) | ARS $698 | + 93% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (ARS $1,644) | ARS $773 | + 113% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (ARS $769) | ARS $596 | + 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,583 (ARS $721) | ARS $545 | + 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,277 (ARS $3,768) | ARS $2,017 | + 87% | |
| Entertainment | - 13% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 13% cheaper than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,544 (ARS $5,711) | ARS $5,573 | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,794 (ARS $3,093) | ARS $2,793 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,000 (ARS $7,284) | ARS $10,388 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,121 (ARS $14,168) | ARS $8,580 | + 65% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,318 (ARS $2,421) | ARS $1,611 | + 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,953 (ARS $1,345) | ARS $1,069 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,378 (ARS $627) | ARS $737 | - 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 435,667 (ARS $198,332) | ARS $322,272 | - 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (ARS $20) | ARS $74 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,285 (ARS $14,697) | ARS $7,219 | + 104% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,530 (ARS $1,152) | ARS $659 | + 75% | |
| TOTAL | + 35% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.45524
ARS
/
CRC
*
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 11,222 prices entered by 1,127 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 35% more expensive than in Argentina
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