- 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 | ₡ 4,959 (AU$12) | AU$17 | - 30% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,611 (AU$9) | AU$11 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,407 (AU$5.68) | AU$6 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 799 (AU$1.88) | AU$1.33 | + 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,621 (AU$3.82) | AU$5.76 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,076 (AU$2.54) | AU$5.06 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,271 (AU$8) | AU$9 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,967 (AU$4.64) | AU$4.22 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 883 (AU$2.08) | AU$3.36 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 824 (AU$1.94) | AU$5.21 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,979 (AU$19) | AU$20 | - 4% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,634 (AU$3.86) | AU$3.26 | + 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 685 (AU$1.62) | AU$2.20 | - 27% | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 40% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 636,056 (AU$1,501) | AU$2,721 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 385,429 (AU$909) | AU$2,078 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 98,502 (AU$232) | AU$292 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 467,877 (AU$1,104) | AU$2,104 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 337,578 (AU$796) | AU$1,460 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (AU$331) | AU$248 | + 34% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,526 (AU$51) | AU$59 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 282,228 (AU$666) | AU$664 | + 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 68,986 (AU$163) | AU$208 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,630 (AU$11) | AU$12 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,628 (AU$6) | AU$30 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 9% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,927 (AU$97) | AU$108 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 40,653 (AU$96) | AU$76 | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,771 (AU$134) | AU$147 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,106 (AU$92) | AU$157 | - 41% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,635,700 (AU$34,529) | AU$26,146 | + 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 652 (AU$1.54) | AU$1.45 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 26,100 (AU$62) | AU$140 | - 56% | |
| Personal Care | + 45% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 45% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,037 (AU$7) | AU$10 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 21,724 (AU$51) | AU$17 | + 200% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 42,612 (AU$101) | AU$70 | + 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,511 (AU$8) | AU$8 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,593 (AU$8) | AU$5.19 | + 63% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,213 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,299 (AU$5.42) | AU$3.39 | + 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,574 (AU$3.71) | AU$3.80 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,332 (AU$17) | AU$30 | - 41% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 46% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,793 (AU$40) | AU$54 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,217 (AU$15) | AU$36 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 32,945 (AU$78) | AU$210 | - 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 27,811 (AU$66) | AU$104 | - 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,490 (AU$8) | AU$18 | - 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,970 (AU$4.65) | AU$4.53 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,300 (AU$3.07) | AU$9 | - 64% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 382,014 (AU$901) | AU$602 | + 50% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 34 (AU$0.08) | AU$0.64 | - 87% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,992 (AU$78) | AU$78 | - 0% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,882 (AU$4.44) | AU$31 | - 86% | |
| TOTAL | - 32% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 15, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00236
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 15,054 prices entered by 2,382 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in Australia
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