Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,871 (€13) | €20 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,854 (€8) | €11 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,307 (€3.93) | €5.80 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 968 (€1.65) | €1.16 | + 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,016 (€3.44) | €4.11 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,153 (€1.96) | €2.99 | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,061 (€5.22) | €6 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,429 (€4.14) | €2.19 | + 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,191 (€2.03) | €2.50 | - 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 900 (€1.53) | €1.98 | - 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,475 (€14) | €10 | + 49% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,649 (€2.81) | €2.81 | + 0% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 919 (€1.57) | €1.74 | - 10% | |
| Housing | - 34% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 592,020 (€1,009) | €1,446 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 300,344 (€512) | €1,098 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,035 (€65) | €285 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,494 (€686) | €958 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 232,028 (€396) | €764 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 29,406 (€50) | €131 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,100 (€29) | €33 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 250,782 (€427) | €597 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,487 (€120) | €189 | - 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 12,281 (€21) | €13 | + 67% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,755 (€4.70) | €11 | - 57% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,857 (€66) | €102 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 23,998 (€41) | €41 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 55,702 (€95) | €107 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (€63) | €114 | - 45% | |
| Transportation | - 6% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 6% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,283,000 (€27,756) | €35,150 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 905 (€1.54) | €1.84 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 30,682 (€52) | €50 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 19% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 19% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (€7) | €12 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (€19) | €10 | + 88% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (€62) | €26 | + 142% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (€5.18) | €4.00 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (€5.05) | €5.18 | - 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (€6) | €4.73 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (€2.88) | €2.00 | + 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (€2.64) | €3.00 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (€13) | €24 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 11,094 (€19) | €60 | - 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,850 (€12) | €28 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,000 (€27) | €97 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (€57) | €73 | - 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (€8) | €11 | - 31% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (€4.31) | €3.64 | + 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,355 (€2.31) | €4.71 | - 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 403,893 (€688) | €561 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (€0.08) | €0.25 | - 70% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,420 (€57) | €30 | + 90% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,530 (€4.31) | €8 | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00170
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,174 prices entered by 173 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 18% cheaper than in Belgium
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 5% more expensive than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 45% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Belgium
- Cost of living in Angola is 22% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Albania is 38% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 16% more expensive than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Belgium