- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Australia
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,597 (AU$14) | AU$17 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,602 (AU$9) | AU$11 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,421 (AU$5.86) | AU$6 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 755 (AU$1.83) | AU$1.33 | + 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,523 (AU$3.69) | AU$5.80 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,113 (AU$2.69) | AU$5.05 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,830 (AU$7) | AU$9 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,917 (AU$4.64) | AU$4.28 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,001 (AU$2.42) | AU$3.34 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 797 (AU$1.93) | AU$5.18 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,763 (AU$19) | AU$20 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,567 (AU$3.79) | AU$3.24 | + 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 724 (AU$1.75) | AU$2.32 | - 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 | ₡ 607,295 (AU$1,470) | AU$2,801 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,071 (AU$864) | AU$2,133 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 111,470 (AU$270) | AU$295 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 404,163 (AU$978) | AU$2,157 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 401,953 (AU$973) | AU$1,511 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (AU$340) | AU$237 | + 43% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 22,149 (AU$54) | AU$59 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 298,800 (AU$723) | AU$670 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 62,868 (AU$152) | AU$210 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,681 (AU$9) | AU$13 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,035 (AU$4.93) | AU$30 | - 84% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 3% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,616 (AU$96) | AU$108 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 34,402 (AU$83) | AU$75 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,267 (AU$141) | AU$149 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 58,707 (AU$142) | AU$156 | - 9% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,057,900 (AU$31,612) | AU$26,120 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 668 (AU$1.62) | AU$1.42 | + 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,102 (AU$51) | AU$144 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | + 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 40% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,357 (AU$5.71) | AU$10 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 26,718 (AU$65) | AU$16 | + 296% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 40,372 (AU$98) | AU$72 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,545 (AU$9) | AU$7 | + 19% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,124 (AU$5.14) | AU$5.18 | - 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,088 (AU$7) | AU$7 | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,242 (AU$5.43) | AU$3.46 | + 57% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,345 (AU$3.26) | AU$3.86 | - 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 9,934 (AU$24) | AU$29 | - 18% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,963 (AU$39) | AU$54 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,585 (AU$16) | AU$36 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 22,276 (AU$54) | AU$213 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,784 (AU$75) | AU$105 | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,742 (AU$9) | AU$18 | - 49% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,852 (AU$4.48) | AU$4.50 | - 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,430 (AU$3.46) | AU$9 | - 60% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 382,014 (AU$925) | AU$609 | + 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 146 (AU$0.35) | AU$0.71 | - 50% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 30,511 (AU$74) | AU$80 | - 7% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,666 (AU$4.03) | AU$30 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 18, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00242
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 15,433 prices entered by 2,418 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Australia
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