- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Belgium
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,704 (€9) | €15 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,701 (€5.59) | €8 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,387 (€3.61) | €4.95 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 831 (€1.26) | €1.07 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,556 (€2.35) | €3.85 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,417 (€2.14) | €2.07 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,321 (€5.02) | €6 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,116 (€3.20) | €2.40 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,064 (€1.61) | €1.38 | + 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 808 (€1.22) | €1.65 | - 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,813 (€12) | €9 | + 36% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,573 (€2.38) | €2.32 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 660 (€1.00) | €1.53 | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 0% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 0% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 608,973 (€920) | €1,102 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 343,838 (€520) | €881 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 111,470 (€168) | €145 | + 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 705,949 (€1,067) | €798 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 358,359 (€542) | €611 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (€212) | €93 | + 127% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 24,945 (€38) | €33 | + 13% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 280,432 (€424) | €477 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 62,868 (€95) | €116 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,681 (€5.56) | €8 | - 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,035 (€3.08) | €10 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 11% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,616 (€60) | €93 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 34,402 (€52) | €33 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,267 (€88) | €94 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 58,707 (€89) | €113 | - 22% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,057,900 (€19,735) | €22,814 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 669 (€1.01) | €1.31 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,102 (€32) | €50 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | + 68% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 68% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,357 (€3.56) | €5.00 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 26,718 (€40) | €5.73 | + 605% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,314 (€55) | €26 | + 115% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,545 (€5.36) | €4.36 | + 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,124 (€3.21) | €3.62 | - 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,088 (€4.67) | €3.06 | + 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,242 (€3.39) | €1.40 | + 142% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,345 (€2.03) | €2.81 | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,446 (€10) | €23 | - 57% | |
| Entertainment | + 21% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 21% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,242 (€25) | €42 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,060 (€11) | €22 | - 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 22,276 (€34) | €43 | - 21% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,701 (€46) | €65 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,631 (€5.49) | €8 | - 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,852 (€2.80) | €3.23 | - 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,617 (€2.44) | €3.65 | - 33% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 360,260 (€544) | €483 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 670 (€1.01) | €0.21 | + 380% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 31,687 (€48) | €37 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,727 (€2.61) | €6 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00151
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,343 prices entered by 348 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 5% cheaper than in Belgium
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