- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Belgium
- Comparison
Cost 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 | ₡ 5,426 (€8) | €16 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,705 (€5.75) | €8 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,445 (€3.80) | €5.21 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 816 (€1.27) | €1.04 | + 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,516 (€2.35) | €4.02 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,131 (€1.76) | €2.04 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,780 (€4.32) | €7 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,116 (€3.29) | €2.45 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 974 (€1.51) | €1.34 | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 802 (€1.25) | €1.52 | - 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,763 (€12) | €9 | + 40% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,567 (€2.43) | €2.31 | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 669 (€1.04) | €1.54 | - 33% | |
| Housing | - 9% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 9% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 607,295 (€943) | €1,104 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,071 (€555) | €873 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 111,470 (€173) | €146 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 404,163 (€628) | €784 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 401,953 (€624) | €575 | + 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (€218) | €103 | + 112% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 22,149 (€34) | €35 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 280,432 (€436) | €450 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 62,868 (€98) | €121 | - 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,681 (€5.72) | €8 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,035 (€3.16) | €9 | - 67% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 13% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,616 (€62) | €97 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 34,402 (€53) | €34 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,267 (€90) | €92 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 58,707 (€91) | €113 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,057,900 (€20,279) | €22,816 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 662 (€1.03) | €1.34 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,102 (€33) | €49 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | + 79% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 79% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,357 (€3.66) | €5.44 | - 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 26,718 (€41) | €5.73 | + 625% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 40,372 (€63) | €25 | + 150% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,545 (€5.50) | €3.95 | + 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,124 (€3.30) | €3.87 | - 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,088 (€4.79) | €3.06 | + 57% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,242 (€3.48) | €1.41 | + 147% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,345 (€2.09) | €2.82 | - 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 9,934 (€15) | €23 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,963 (€25) | €43 | - 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,585 (€10) | €22 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 22,276 (€35) | €43 | - 19% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,784 (€48) | €63 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,742 (€5.81) | €9 | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,852 (€2.88) | €3.23 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,430 (€2.22) | €3.67 | - 40% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 382,014 (€593) | €450 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 146 (€0.23) | €0.17 | + 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 30,511 (€47) | €31 | + 51% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,727 (€2.68) | €6 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 12% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 16, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00155
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,085 prices entered by 337 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Belgium
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