Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,414 (€8) | €18 | - 57% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,849 (€5.40) | €9 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,827 (€2.56) | €4.48 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 843 (€1.18) | €1.02 | + 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,624 (€2.28) | €3.74 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 949 (€1.33) | €2.43 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,366 (€3.32) | €4.55 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,874 (€2.63) | €2.15 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 896 (€1.26) | €1.80 | - 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 995 (€1.40) | €1.67 | - 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,438 (€12) | €8 | + 56% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,480 (€2.08) | €2.36 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 692 (€0.97) | €1.32 | - 27% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 578,990 (€812) | €1,168 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 289,411 (€406) | €948 | - 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 40,499 (€57) | €144 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 418,963 (€588) | €876 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 218,859 (€307) | €635 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 23,373 (€33) | €108 | - 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,969 (€25) | €38 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 225,567 (€316) | €432 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 67,028 (€94) | €137 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,720 (€7) | €9 | - 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,619 (€3.67) | €10 | - 64% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,000 (€53) | €83 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,830 (€31) | €44 | - 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,823 (€77) | €82 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 42,679 (€60) | €113 | - 47% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 12,061,300 (€16,914) | €25,471 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 613 (€0.86) | €1.34 | - 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,409 (€33) | €51 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,733 (€5.24) | €8 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,439 (€15) | €7 | + 106% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 46,365 (€65) | €36 | + 82% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,954 (€4.14) | €5.48 | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,710 (€3.80) | €3.59 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,462 (€4.85) | €3.22 | + 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,534 (€2.15) | €1.57 | + 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,294 (€1.81) | €1.96 | - 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,586 (€9) | €20 | - 54% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 14,965 (€21) | €45 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,512 (€9) | €22 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 23,179 (€33) | €81 | - 60% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,257 (€41) | €58 | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,603 (€6) | €10 | - 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,651 (€3.72) | €3.28 | + 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,488 (€2.09) | €4.41 | - 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 311,139 (€436) | €443 | - 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (€0.06) | €0.22 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,913 (€53) | €41 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,236 (€3.14) | €8 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 21, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00140
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,039 prices entered by 226 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Belgium
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