Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
Food | - 13% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Costa Rica is 13% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,179 (AU$22) | AU$23 | - 5% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,244 (AU$13) | AU$15 | - 13% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,104 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 9% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,033 (AU$3.11) | AU$2.04 | + 52% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,009 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,170 (AU$3.52) | AU$6 | - 43% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,832 (AU$9) | AU$10 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,735 (AU$5.22) | AU$5.14 | + 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 961 (AU$2.89) | AU$3.62 | - 20% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 972 (AU$2.92) | AU$7 | - 59% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,064 (AU$27) | AU$21 | + 33% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,602 (AU$4.82) | AU$3.70 | + 30% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 887 (AU$2.67) | AU$3.35 | - 20% | |
Housing | - 62% | |||
Housing in Costa Rica is 62% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 589,206 (AU$1,772) | AU$4,709 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 339,942 (AU$1,023) | AU$3,109 | - 67% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 36,687 (AU$110) | AU$214 | - 48% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 378,343 (AU$1,138) | AU$2,788 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 224,652 (AU$676) | AU$2,151 | - 69% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 21,419 (AU$64) | AU$174 | - 63% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 13,402 (AU$40) | AU$76 | - 47% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 192,502 (AU$579) | AU$793 | - 27% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,289 (AU$211) | AU$288 | - 27% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,103 (AU$12) | AU$18 | - 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,235 (AU$7) | AU$48 | - 86% | |
Clothes | - 26% | |||
Clothes in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,927 (AU$120) | AU$129 | - 7% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,656 (AU$59) | AU$95 | - 38% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,687 (AU$164) | AU$179 | - 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 47,659 (AU$143) | AU$209 | - 32% | |
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 | ₡ 14,778,300 (AU$44,453) | AU$38,866 | + 14% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 703 (AU$2.12) | AU$1.99 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,869 (AU$72) | AU$185 | - 61% | |
Personal Care | + 24% | |||
Personal Care in Costa Rica is 24% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 (AU$12) | AU$7 | + 60% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 7,483 (AU$23) | AU$19 | + 19% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,202 (AU$103) | AU$81 | + 27% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,144 (AU$15) | AU$9 | + 71% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,186 (AU$10) | AU$5.56 | + 72% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,490 (AU$10) | AU$9 | + 20% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,268 (AU$3.81) | AU$4.36 | - 13% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,924 (AU$5.79) | AU$5.30 | + 9% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,493 (AU$23) | AU$36 | - 37% | |
Entertainment | - 51% | |||
Entertainment in Costa Rica is 51% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 14,613 (AU$44) | AU$68 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,915 (AU$21) | AU$46 | - 55% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,750 (AU$41) | AU$262 | - 84% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,844 (AU$90) | AU$127 | - 29% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,584 (AU$14) | AU$21 | - 35% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,313 (AU$10) | AU$5.10 | + 95% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,607 (AU$4.84) | AU$11 | - 56% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 347,355 (AU$1,045) | AU$1,070 | - 2% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (AU$0.11) | AU$0.95 | - 88% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 34,947 (AU$105) | AU$92 | + 15% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,752 (AU$8) | AU$43 | - 81% | |
TOTAL | - 43% |
These prices were last updated on March 19, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00301
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,476 prices entered by 444 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in Australia
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Argentina is 64% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Australia
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Australia
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 18% more expensive than in Australia
- Cost of living in Angola is 31% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Andorra is 30% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 17% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 28% cheaper than in Australia