Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 21% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,413 (€13) | €20 | - 37% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,617 (€8) | €11 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,037 (€3.46) | €5.94 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,086 (€1.84) | €1.28 | + 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (€3.06) | €3.67 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (€2.48) | €6 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (€5.57) | €6 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,873 (€3.18) | €2.59 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (€3.19) | €2.11 | + 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (€1.92) | €1.89 | + 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,896 (€17) | €8 | + 120% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (€2.68) | €2.89 | - 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 956 (€1.62) | €2.00 | - 19% | |
| Housing | - 39% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 596,217 (€1,011) | €1,297 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 369,442 (€627) | €1,194 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (€70) | €494 | - 86% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (€796) | €873 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (€471) | €569 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (€57) | €154 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (€30) | €52 | - 43% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (€381) | €302 | + 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 (€130) | €110 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 (€12) | €17 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (€4.56) | €12 | - 62% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 (€53) | €89 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (€41) | €35 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (€111) | €90 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 (€74) | €120 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 (€27,424) | €32,008 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (€1.19) | €1.66 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 18,624 (€32) | €52 | - 40% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 6% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (€6) | €12 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (€15) | €14 | + 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (€76) | €30 | + 156% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (€9) | €5.29 | + 80% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 (€4.89) | €9 | - 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 (€8) | €4.92 | + 72% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 (€2.90) | €3.01 | - 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 (€2.82) | €4.00 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,894 (€18) | €29 | - 36% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,895 (€30) | €43 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 (€12) | €25 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (€47) | €90 | - 48% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (€64) | €140 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 6,034 (€10) | €12 | - 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (€4.84) | €3.51 | + 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (€2.38) | €4.70 | - 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 312,484 (€530) | €561 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (€0.06) | €0.25 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (€60) | €82 | - 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 (€4.35) | €11 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00170
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 739 prices entered by 113 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Belgium
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