Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Austria
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Austria | ||||
| Costa Rica | Austria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,842 (€12) | €17 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,572 (€8) | €11 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,976 (€3.48) | €6 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,086 (€1.91) | €1.79 | + 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (€3.18) | €5.48 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (€2.57) | €3.17 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (€5.78) | €8 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,740 (€3.07) | €2.00 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (€3.32) | €1.89 | + 75% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (€2.00) | €1.28 | + 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,744 (€17) | €10 | + 75% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (€2.79) | €3.29 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 937 (€1.65) | €2.55 | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 29% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Austria | ||||
| Costa Rica | Austria | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 574,882 (€1,013) | €1,302 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 363,154 (€640) | €963 | - 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (€73) | €215 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (€827) | €1,238 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (€489) | €827 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (€59) | €111 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (€31) | €28 | + 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (€396) | €200 | + 98% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 (€135) | €80 | + 69% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 (€12) | €14 | - 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (€4.74) | €15 | - 67% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 10% cheaper than in Austria | ||||
| Costa Rica | Austria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 (€55) | €100 | - 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (€43) | €32 | + 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (€115) | €101 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 (€77) | €90 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Austria | ||||
| Costa Rica | Austria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 (€28,495) | €37,989 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (€1.23) | €1.60 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 18,757 (€33) | €59 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 16% cheaper than in Austria | ||||
| Costa Rica | Austria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (€6) | €14 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (€15) | €13 | + 17% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (€79) | €152 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (€10) | €5.00 | + 97% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 (€5.08) | €4.03 | + 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 (€9) | €6 | + 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 (€3.01) | €2.39 | + 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 (€2.93) | €2.33 | + 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,894 (€19) | €29 | - 34% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Austria | ||||
| Costa Rica | Austria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,895 (€32) | €54 | - 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 (€12) | €22 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (€49) | €200 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (€67) | €80 | - 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 6,034 (€11) | €14 | - 26% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (€5.03) | €5.46 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (€2.48) | €5.19 | - 52% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 322,458 (€568) | €689 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (€0.07) | €0.10 | - 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (€62) | €42 | + 48% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 (€4.53) | €6 | - 30% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00176
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 777 prices entered by 114 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Austria
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