Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 9% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,707 (C$19) | C$23 | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,707 (C$12) | C$13 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,182 (C$5.45) | C$9 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,036 (C$2.59) | C$3.01 | - 14% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,216 (C$5.53) | C$5.71 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,251 (C$3.12) | C$5.19 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,728 (C$7) | C$9 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,062 (C$5.15) | C$4.99 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,413 (C$3.53) | C$3.03 | + 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,038 (C$2.59) | C$3.60 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 12,447 (C$31) | C$18 | + 69% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,725 (C$4.31) | C$3.10 | + 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 1,085 (C$2.71) | C$2.95 | - 8% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 573,804 (C$1,433) | C$2,735 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 315,501 (C$788) | C$2,124 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 26,072 (C$65) | C$221 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 382,417 (C$955) | C$1,779 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 230,374 (C$575) | C$1,401 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 16,619 (C$41) | C$126 | - 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 13,610 (C$34) | C$73 | - 53% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,464 (C$560) | C$441 | + 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 62,505 (C$156) | C$208 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,321 (C$11) | C$14 | - 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,373 (C$5.93) | C$29 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,720 (C$102) | C$80 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,791 (C$54) | C$57 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 48,422 (C$121) | C$122 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 40,955 (C$102) | C$149 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,068,800 (C$37,621) | C$30,938 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 742 (C$1.85) | C$1.67 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 19,554 (C$49) | C$105 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 16% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,908 (C$7) | C$13 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,257 (C$23) | C$29 | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 32,265 (C$81) | C$114 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,761 (C$7) | C$9 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,879 (C$7) | C$7 | + 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,583 (C$9) | C$6 | + 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,600 (C$4.00) | C$4.94 | - 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,587 (C$3.96) | C$3.44 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,851 (C$17) | C$31 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 41% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,073 (C$30) | C$65 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,890 (C$17) | C$32 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,983 (C$35) | C$170 | - 79% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 23,977 (C$60) | C$113 | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,285 (C$11) | C$15 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,666 (C$7) | C$5.37 | + 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,660 (C$4.14) | C$7 | - 44% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 332,838 (C$831) | C$755 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 51 (C$0.13) | C$0.43 | - 70% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 30,341 (C$76) | C$63 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,744 (C$7) | C$17 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00250
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,804 prices entered by 856 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Canada
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