Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,258 (AU$16) | AU$18 | - 12% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,495 (AU$10) | AU$13 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,114 (AU$4.61) | AU$7 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 818 (AU$1.78) | AU$1.49 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,739 (AU$3.79) | AU$5.78 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 962 (AU$2.10) | AU$5.53 | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,995 (AU$7) | AU$7 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,813 (AU$3.95) | AU$4.52 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,069 (AU$2.33) | AU$3.16 | - 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,023 (AU$2.23) | AU$5.60 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,693 (AU$19) | AU$17 | + 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,610 (AU$3.51) | AU$2.85 | + 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 760 (AU$1.66) | AU$2.53 | - 34% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 58% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 549,564 (AU$1,198) | AU$3,174 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 283,774 (AU$618) | AU$2,224 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 45,977 (AU$100) | AU$215 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 412,496 (AU$899) | AU$2,040 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 251,641 (AU$548) | AU$1,534 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 36,581 (AU$80) | AU$163 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,832 (AU$41) | AU$59 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 186,306 (AU$406) | AU$497 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 66,869 (AU$146) | AU$191 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,453 (AU$12) | AU$14 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,468 (AU$5.38) | AU$33 | - 84% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,819 (AU$82) | AU$103 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 25,146 (AU$55) | AU$62 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 61,319 (AU$134) | AU$136 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 60,284 (AU$131) | AU$146 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,593,500 (AU$33,984) | AU$31,870 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 702 (AU$1.53) | AU$1.46 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 27,529 (AU$60) | AU$162 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,424 (AU$10) | AU$10 | - 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 12,972 (AU$28) | AU$15 | + 90% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,633 (AU$80) | AU$76 | + 5% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,492 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,311 (AU$7) | AU$4.53 | + 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,866 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,753 (AU$3.82) | AU$3.02 | + 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,468 (AU$3.20) | AU$3.71 | - 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,276 (AU$16) | AU$31 | - 48% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 49% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,285 (AU$29) | AU$56 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,030 (AU$15) | AU$37 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,037 (AU$35) | AU$270 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,597 (AU$65) | AU$94 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,309 (AU$9) | AU$17 | - 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,545 (AU$5.55) | AU$4.56 | + 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,281 (AU$2.79) | AU$9 | - 68% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 376,717 (AU$821) | AU$729 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (AU$0.10) | AU$0.49 | - 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,838 (AU$74) | AU$69 | + 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,397 (AU$5.22) | AU$43 | - 88% | |
| TOTAL | - 42% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00218
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,185 prices entered by 381 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Australia
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