Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,587 (AU$12) | AU$18 | - 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,882 (AU$8) | AU$12 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,799 (AU$3.81) | AU$5.92 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 831 (AU$1.76) | AU$1.45 | + 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,621 (AU$3.43) | AU$5.50 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,029 (AU$2.18) | AU$4.98 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,797 (AU$5.92) | AU$7 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,036 (AU$4.31) | AU$4.55 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 935 (AU$1.98) | AU$3.23 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,029 (AU$2.18) | AU$5.49 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,493 (AU$22) | AU$18 | + 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,499 (AU$3.17) | AU$2.94 | + 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 695 (AU$1.47) | AU$2.49 | - 41% | |
| Housing | - 63% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 63% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 557,670 (AU$1,180) | AU$3,170 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 270,901 (AU$573) | AU$2,151 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,353 (AU$83) | AU$293 | - 72% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 433,078 (AU$916) | AU$1,947 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 221,306 (AU$468) | AU$1,500 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 22,855 (AU$48) | AU$177 | - 73% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,049 (AU$32) | AU$60 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 188,597 (AU$399) | AU$504 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,270 (AU$125) | AU$249 | - 50% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,330 (AU$9) | AU$13 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,643 (AU$5.59) | AU$31 | - 82% | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 35,961 (AU$76) | AU$103 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 20,938 (AU$44) | AU$68 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 53,266 (AU$113) | AU$139 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 49,097 (AU$104) | AU$142 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | - 56% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 56% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,404,500 (AU$24,124) | AU$27,984 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 593 (AU$1.25) | AU$1.40 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,831 (AU$46) | AU$160 | - 71% | |
| Personal Care | + 2% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,766 (AU$5.85) | AU$8 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,438 (AU$18) | AU$19 | - 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,132 (AU$95) | AU$69 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,971 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,472 (AU$5.23) | AU$4.56 | + 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,499 (AU$7) | AU$6 | + 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,501 (AU$3.17) | AU$3.55 | - 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,288 (AU$2.72) | AU$3.58 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,652 (AU$16) | AU$28 | - 42% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 49% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,962 (AU$27) | AU$59 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,109 (AU$13) | AU$36 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 19,743 (AU$42) | AU$198 | - 79% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,314 (AU$62) | AU$90 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,366 (AU$9) | AU$17 | - 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,276 (AU$4.81) | AU$4.48 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,457 (AU$3.08) | AU$9 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 313,969 (AU$664) | AU$652 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 47 (AU$0.10) | AU$0.51 | - 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,656 (AU$84) | AU$70 | + 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,109 (AU$4.46) | AU$35 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 50% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 17, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00212
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,355 prices entered by 612 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Australia
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