Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 5% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,632 (AU$21) | AU$24 | - 12% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,600 (AU$15) | AU$15 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,968 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,107 (AU$3.50) | AU$1.95 | + 79% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,038 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,378 (AU$4.35) | AU$5.93 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,221 (AU$10) | AU$10 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,678 (AU$5.30) | AU$4.94 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,630 (AU$5.15) | AU$3.79 | + 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,084 (AU$3.43) | AU$7 | - 51% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,341 (AU$30) | AU$22 | + 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,557 (AU$4.92) | AU$3.87 | + 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 891 (AU$2.81) | AU$2.22 | + 27% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 539,231 (AU$1,704) | AU$3,978 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 331,404 (AU$1,047) | AU$2,789 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 42,537 (AU$134) | AU$243 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 438,529 (AU$1,386) | AU$2,790 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 285,596 (AU$902) | AU$2,047 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,314 (AU$112) | AU$195 | - 43% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,647 (AU$56) | AU$65 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 207,090 (AU$654) | AU$640 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 77,559 (AU$245) | AU$260 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 6,812 (AU$22) | AU$15 | + 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,763 (AU$9) | AU$40 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 13% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 30,752 (AU$97) | AU$122 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,577 (AU$71) | AU$91 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,562 (AU$223) | AU$163 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,015 (AU$142) | AU$176 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 38% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,174,200 (AU$51,111) | AU$40,654 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 698 (AU$2.21) | AU$1.96 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,734 (AU$66) | AU$152 | - 57% | |
| Personal Care | + 47% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 47% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (AU$11) | AU$8 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (AU$27) | AU$23 | + 18% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,057 (AU$120) | AU$85 | + 41% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (AU$18) | AU$6 | + 173% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,658 (AU$12) | AU$4.98 | + 132% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,852 (AU$12) | AU$9 | + 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,754 (AU$5.54) | AU$4.26 | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,149 (AU$7) | AU$4.31 | + 58% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,685 (AU$34) | AU$39 | - 14% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,029 (AU$57) | AU$78 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,058 (AU$22) | AU$46 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (AU$87) | AU$257 | - 66% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 36,113 (AU$114) | AU$140 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,513 (AU$17) | AU$22 | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,982 (AU$9) | AU$5.44 | + 73% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,443 (AU$4.56) | AU$13 | - 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 279,856 (AU$884) | AU$898 | - 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (AU$0.12) | AU$0.76 | - 84% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,666 (AU$113) | AU$87 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,306 (AU$7) | AU$46 | - 84% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00316
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,026 prices entered by 338 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Australia
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 9% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 32% more expensive than in Australia
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 14% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Albania is 56% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Argentina is 37% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 57% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Australia
- Cost of living in Armenia is 34% cheaper than in Australia