Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
Food | - 19% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Costa Rica is 19% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,179 (C$19) | C$24 | - 19% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,244 (C$11) | C$14 | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,104 (C$5.60) | C$10 | - 42% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,033 (C$2.75) | C$3.28 | - 16% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,009 (C$5.35) | C$5.88 | - 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,170 (C$3.12) | C$5.56 | - 44% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,832 (C$8) | C$11 | - 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,735 (C$4.62) | C$5.47 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 961 (C$2.56) | C$3.31 | - 23% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 972 (C$2.59) | C$4.03 | - 36% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,064 (C$24) | C$21 | + 15% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,602 (C$4.27) | C$3.23 | + 32% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 887 (C$2.36) | C$2.58 | - 8% | |
Housing | - 52% | |||
Housing in Costa Rica is 52% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 589,206 (C$1,569) | C$2,889 | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 339,942 (C$905) | C$2,295 | - 61% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 36,687 (C$98) | C$240 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 378,343 (C$1,008) | C$2,062 | - 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 224,652 (C$598) | C$1,501 | - 60% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 21,419 (C$57) | C$128 | - 56% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 13,402 (C$36) | C$65 | - 45% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 192,502 (C$513) | C$401 | + 28% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,289 (C$187) | C$213 | - 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,103 (C$11) | C$14 | - 23% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,235 (C$5.95) | C$30 | - 80% | |
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) | ₡ 39,927 (C$106) | C$80 | + 32% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,656 (C$52) | C$57 | - 8% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,687 (C$146) | C$147 | - 1% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 47,659 (C$127) | C$173 | - 27% | |
Transportation | - 24% | |||
Transportation in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,778,300 (C$39,363) | C$33,546 | + 17% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 703 (C$1.87) | C$1.60 | + 17% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,869 (C$64) | C$106 | - 40% | |
Personal Care | + 0% | |||
Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Canada | ||||
Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 (C$10) | C$11 | - 5% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 7,483 (C$20) | C$24 | - 17% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,202 (C$91) | C$103 | - 11% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,144 (C$14) | C$10 | + 41% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,186 (C$8) | C$6 | + 31% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,490 (C$9) | C$6 | + 44% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,268 (C$3.38) | C$4.45 | - 24% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,924 (C$5.13) | C$3.63 | + 41% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,493 (C$20) | C$31 | - 35% | |
Entertainment | - 37% | |||
Entertainment in Costa Rica is 37% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 14,613 (C$39) | C$68 | - 43% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,915 (C$18) | C$31 | - 41% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,750 (C$37) | C$217 | - 83% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,844 (C$79) | C$129 | - 39% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,584 (C$12) | C$15 | - 18% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,313 (C$9) | C$5.88 | + 50% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,607 (C$4.28) | C$8 | - 47% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 347,355 (C$925) | C$808 | + 14% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (C$0.10) | C$0.44 | - 77% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 34,947 (C$93) | C$67 | + 39% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,752 (C$7) | C$18 | - 59% | |
TOTAL | - 31% |
These prices were last updated on March 19, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00266
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,251 prices entered by 805 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Canada
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