Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
Food | - 20% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Costa Rica is 20% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,179 (€13) | €20 | - 35% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,244 (€8) | €11 | - 30% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,104 (€3.80) | €5.68 | - 33% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,033 (€1.87) | €1.40 | + 33% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,009 (€3.63) | €3.83 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,170 (€2.11) | €2.87 | - 26% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,832 (€5.12) | €7 | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,735 (€3.13) | €2.48 | + 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 961 (€1.74) | €1.89 | - 8% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 972 (€1.76) | €2.32 | - 24% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,064 (€16) | €8 | + 103% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,602 (€2.89) | €2.77 | + 4% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 887 (€1.60) | €2.32 | - 31% | |
Housing | - 47% | |||
Housing in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 589,206 (€1,064) | €1,671 | - 36% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 339,942 (€614) | €1,445 | - 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 36,687 (€66) | €252 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 378,343 (€684) | €1,032 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 224,652 (€406) | €857 | - 53% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 21,419 (€39) | €146 | - 74% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 13,402 (€24) | €50 | - 52% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 192,502 (€348) | €539 | - 36% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,289 (€127) | €122 | + 4% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,103 (€7) | €9 | - 19% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,235 (€4.04) | €10 | - 61% | |
Clothes | - 18% | |||
Clothes in Costa Rica is 18% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,927 (€72) | €93 | - 22% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,656 (€36) | €42 | - 15% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,687 (€99) | €104 | - 5% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 47,659 (€86) | €130 | - 34% | |
Transportation | - 15% | |||
Transportation in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,778,300 (€26,698) | €31,127 | - 14% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 703 (€1.27) | €1.74 | - 27% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,869 (€43) | €50 | - 13% | |
Personal Care | + 11% | |||
Personal Care in Costa Rica is 11% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 (€7) | €12 | - 40% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 7,483 (€14) | €10 | + 35% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,202 (€62) | €32 | + 91% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,144 (€9) | €5.29 | + 76% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,186 (€5.76) | €5.14 | + 12% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,490 (€6) | €4.92 | + 28% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,268 (€2.29) | €2.08 | + 10% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,924 (€3.48) | €4.00 | - 13% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,493 (€14) | €24 | - 44% | |
Entertainment | - 33% | |||
Entertainment in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 14,613 (€26) | €58 | - 55% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,915 (€12) | €26 | - 51% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,750 (€25) | €47 | - 47% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,844 (€54) | €85 | - 37% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,584 (€8) | €11 | - 26% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,313 (€5.98) | €3.61 | + 66% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,607 (€2.90) | €5.01 | - 42% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 347,355 (€628) | €561 | + 12% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (€0.07) | €0.25 | - 73% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 34,947 (€63) | €30 | + 108% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,752 (€4.97) | €8 | - 39% | |
TOTAL | - 26% |
These prices were last updated on March 19, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00181
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 990 prices entered by 148 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Belgium
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