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EspañolCost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,335 (€8) | €16 | - 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 4,181 (€7) | €8 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,910 (€2.98) | €5.08 | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 845 (€1.32) | €1.17 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,732 (€2.70) | €4.20 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,090 (€1.70) | €2.06 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,422 (€3.77) | €7 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,050 (€3.19) | €2.01 | + 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,132 (€1.76) | €1.52 | + 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 912 (€1.42) | €1.99 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,811 (€14) | €8 | + 63% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,396 (€2.17) | €2.37 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 713 (€1.11) | €1.33 | - 17% | |
| Housing | - 25% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 724,525 (€1,128) | €1,172 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 363,933 (€567) | €901 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 45,771 (€71) | €134 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 429,397 (€669) | €818 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 242,296 (€377) | €631 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 32,111 (€50) | €114 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,768 (€29) | €31 | - 6% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 258,521 (€403) | €402 | + 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 82,547 (€129) | €140 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,059 (€6) | €10 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,597 (€4.05) | €12 | - 65% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 20% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,928 (€58) | €89 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 26,721 (€42) | €49 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,016 (€92) | €89 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 51,871 (€81) | €132 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,252,900 (€22,197) | €22,310 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 668 (€1.04) | €1.46 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 24,715 (€38) | €50 | - 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 27% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 27% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,662 (€5.70) | €8 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 13,225 (€21) | €8 | + 174% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,401 (€54) | €28 | + 94% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,397 (€5.29) | €5.51 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,242 (€5.05) | €4.67 | + 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,536 (€5.51) | €4.19 | + 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,897 (€2.95) | €2.18 | + 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,721 (€2.68) | €2.42 | + 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,322 (€10) | €21 | - 54% | |
| Entertainment | - 28% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 28% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,327 (€25) | €45 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,441 (€10) | €21 | - 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 24,747 (€39) | €74 | - 48% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,233 (€46) | €67 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,829 (€5.96) | €10 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,957 (€3.05) | €3.51 | - 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,750 (€2.73) | €4.20 | - 35% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 320,325 (€499) | €427 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 37 (€0.06) | €0.24 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 38,525 (€60) | €29 | + 106% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,096 (€3.26) | €7 | - 54% | |
| TOTAL | - 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 12, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00156
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,652 prices entered by 380 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in Belgium
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