- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Australia
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,649 (AU$11) | AU$17 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,592 (AU$8) | AU$11 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,338 (AU$5.47) | AU$6 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 771 (AU$1.80) | AU$1.28 | + 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,657 (AU$3.88) | AU$5.74 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,075 (AU$2.52) | AU$4.97 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,842 (AU$7) | AU$9 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,882 (AU$4.40) | AU$4.18 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 904 (AU$2.12) | AU$3.33 | - 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 905 (AU$2.12) | AU$5.27 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,142 (AU$21) | AU$19 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,729 (AU$4.05) | AU$3.19 | + 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 697 (AU$1.63) | AU$2.19 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 41% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 41% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 697,786 (AU$1,633) | AU$2,694 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,941 (AU$838) | AU$2,076 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 94,864 (AU$222) | AU$263 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 508,341 (AU$1,190) | AU$2,053 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 360,981 (AU$845) | AU$1,462 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 30,626 (AU$72) | AU$201 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,553 (AU$50) | AU$60 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 266,831 (AU$625) | AU$568 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 91,427 (AU$214) | AU$189 | + 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,095 (AU$10) | AU$12 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,472 (AU$5.79) | AU$29 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 6% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,114 (AU$89) | AU$104 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 37,348 (AU$87) | AU$71 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,975 (AU$133) | AU$144 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,719 (AU$107) | AU$149 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,966,200 (AU$35,031) | AU$27,006 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 661 (AU$1.55) | AU$1.47 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 28,319 (AU$66) | AU$140 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 50% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,282 (AU$8) | AU$10 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 24,979 (AU$58) | AU$17 | + 253% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 41,388 (AU$97) | AU$72 | + 35% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,516 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 19% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,498 (AU$8) | AU$5.16 | + 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,481 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 25% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,196 (AU$5.14) | AU$3.19 | + 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,518 (AU$3.55) | AU$3.86 | - 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,937 (AU$16) | AU$29 | - 44% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,515 (AU$43) | AU$54 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,610 (AU$15) | AU$36 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 33,238 (AU$78) | AU$203 | - 62% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,780 (AU$72) | AU$102 | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,728 (AU$9) | AU$18 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,094 (AU$4.90) | AU$4.61 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,493 (AU$3.49) | AU$9 | - 61% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 337,985 (AU$791) | AU$585 | + 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 36 (AU$0.09) | AU$0.62 | - 86% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 29,901 (AU$70) | AU$74 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,980 (AU$4.63) | AU$31 | - 85% | |
| TOTAL | - 32% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 23, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00234
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 14,314 prices entered by 2,155 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in Australia
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