Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,983 (AU$17) | AU$21 | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,046 (AU$13) | AU$13 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,290 (AU$5.73) | AU$6 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 950 (AU$2.37) | AU$1.78 | + 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,505 (AU$6) | AU$6 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,253 (AU$3.13) | AU$7 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,625 (AU$9) | AU$8 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,138 (AU$5.35) | AU$4.50 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,462 (AU$3.66) | AU$3.33 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 964 (AU$2.41) | AU$5.77 | - 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,480 (AU$21) | AU$20 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,743 (AU$4.36) | AU$3.93 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 952 (AU$2.38) | AU$2.84 | - 16% | |
| Housing | - 49% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 49% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 605,171 (AU$1,513) | AU$3,024 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 321,439 (AU$804) | AU$2,227 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,122 (AU$95) | AU$245 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 426,773 (AU$1,067) | AU$2,049 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 227,481 (AU$569) | AU$1,602 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,538 (AU$89) | AU$181 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,732 (AU$47) | AU$70 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 294,698 (AU$737) | AU$570 | + 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 73,990 (AU$185) | AU$273 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,379 (AU$13) | AU$11 | + 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,980 (AU$7) | AU$36 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | - 21% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 21% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,077 (AU$95) | AU$108 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,568 (AU$61) | AU$77 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,233 (AU$136) | AU$161 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,819 (AU$100) | AU$173 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 18,383,000 (AU$45,966) | AU$33,118 | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 919 (AU$2.30) | AU$1.97 | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 33,571 (AU$84) | AU$180 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 20% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (AU$10) | AU$9 | + 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (AU$28) | AU$21 | + 30% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (AU$91) | AU$75 | + 22% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (AU$8) | AU$12 | - 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (AU$7) | AU$5.09 | + 46% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (AU$9) | AU$5.30 | + 70% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (AU$4.22) | AU$3.54 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (AU$3.88) | AU$3.44 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (AU$19) | AU$33 | - 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 38% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,210 (AU$31) | AU$61 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,793 (AU$17) | AU$39 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 14,186 (AU$35) | AU$209 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (AU$84) | AU$108 | - 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (AU$11) | AU$20 | - 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (AU$6) | AU$5.07 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,353 (AU$3.38) | AU$10 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 403,893 (AU$1,010) | AU$731 | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (AU$0.12) | AU$0.34 | - 63% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,270 (AU$83) | AU$77 | + 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,507 (AU$6) | AU$41 | - 85% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00250
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,366 prices entered by 463 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Australia
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