- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Belgium
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,876 (€7) | €15 | - 54% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,636 (€5.34) | €8 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,459 (€3.61) | €5.22 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 816 (€1.20) | €1.03 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,648 (€2.42) | €3.99 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,093 (€1.60) | €1.99 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,053 (€4.48) | €6 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,967 (€2.89) | €2.45 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 908 (€1.33) | €1.40 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 842 (€1.24) | €1.45 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,940 (€12) | €9 | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,636 (€2.40) | €2.32 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 695 (€1.02) | €1.45 | - 29% | |
| Housing | - 11% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 11% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 636,056 (€934) | €1,111 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 385,429 (€566) | €855 | - 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 98,502 (€145) | €138 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 467,877 (€687) | €790 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 337,578 (€496) | €597 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (€206) | €98 | + 111% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,526 (€32) | €34 | - 8% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 282,228 (€414) | €438 | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 68,986 (€101) | €99 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,630 (€7) | €7 | + 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,628 (€3.86) | €10 | - 60% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 14% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,927 (€60) | €94 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 40,653 (€60) | €36 | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,771 (€83) | €93 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,106 (€57) | €111 | - 49% | |
| 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 | ₡ 14,635,700 (€21,485) | €21,349 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 652 (€0.96) | €1.41 | - 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 26,100 (€38) | €49 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | + 70% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 70% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,037 (€4.46) | €9 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 21,724 (€32) | €7 | + 359% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 42,612 (€63) | €25 | + 146% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,511 (€5.15) | €3.95 | + 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,593 (€5.27) | €3.48 | + 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,213 (€4.72) | €2.89 | + 63% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,299 (€3.37) | €1.47 | + 130% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,574 (€2.31) | €2.82 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,332 (€11) | €22 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,685 (€23) | €44 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,217 (€9) | €21 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 32,945 (€48) | €44 | + 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 27,811 (€41) | €62 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,490 (€5.12) | €9 | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,970 (€2.89) | €3.23 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,300 (€1.91) | €3.62 | - 47% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 376,038 (€552) | €435 | + 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 34 (€0.05) | €0.18 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,992 (€48) | €30 | + 61% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,882 (€2.76) | €7 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 15% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 19, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00147
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,348 prices entered by 338 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in Belgium
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