- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Belgium
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,693 (€7) | €15 | - 56% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,592 (€5.26) | €8 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,338 (€3.42) | €5.30 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 771 (€1.13) | €1.02 | + 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,657 (€2.42) | €4.25 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,075 (€1.57) | €1.95 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,842 (€4.16) | €7 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,882 (€2.75) | €2.20 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 904 (€1.32) | €1.31 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 905 (€1.32) | €1.44 | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,142 (€13) | €9 | + 54% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,729 (€2.53) | €2.28 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 697 (€1.02) | €1.34 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 17% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 697,786 (€1,021) | €1,143 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,941 (€524) | €858 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 94,864 (€139) | €131 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 508,341 (€744) | €795 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 360,981 (€528) | €599 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 30,626 (€45) | €121 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,553 (€32) | €36 | - 12% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 266,831 (€390) | €429 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 91,427 (€134) | €102 | + 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,095 (€5.99) | €8 | - 21% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,472 (€3.62) | €10 | - 63% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 4% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,114 (€56) | €89 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 37,348 (€55) | €39 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,975 (€83) | €93 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,719 (€67) | €116 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 13% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,966,200 (€21,899) | €20,664 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 661 (€0.97) | €1.45 | - 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 28,319 (€41) | €49 | - 16% | |
| Personal Care | + 70% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 70% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,282 (€4.80) | €9 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 24,979 (€37) | €7 | + 390% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 41,388 (€61) | €26 | + 132% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,516 (€5.14) | €3.61 | + 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,498 (€5.12) | €3.50 | + 46% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,481 (€5.09) | €3.00 | + 70% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,196 (€3.21) | €1.50 | + 115% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,518 (€2.22) | €2.91 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,937 (€10) | €19 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 27% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,515 (€27) | €43 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,610 (€10) | €21 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 33,238 (€49) | €39 | + 25% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,780 (€45) | €58 | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,728 (€5.45) | €10 | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,094 (€3.06) | €2.97 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,493 (€2.18) | €3.69 | - 41% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 337,985 (€495) | €433 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 36 (€0.05) | €0.20 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 29,901 (€44) | €31 | + 40% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,980 (€2.90) | €7 | - 57% | |
| TOTAL | - 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 18, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00146
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,296 prices entered by 313 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 16% cheaper than in Belgium
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