- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Canada
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,693 (C$10) | C$18 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,592 (C$8) | C$10 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,338 (C$5.14) | C$7 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 771 (C$1.70) | C$2.39 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,657 (C$3.65) | C$3.99 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,075 (C$2.36) | C$3.94 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,842 (C$6) | C$10 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,882 (C$4.14) | C$3.92 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 904 (C$1.99) | C$2.42 | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 905 (C$1.99) | C$3.56 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,142 (C$20) | C$18 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,729 (C$3.80) | C$2.39 | + 59% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 697 (C$1.53) | C$2.20 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 29% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 697,786 (C$1,535) | C$2,109 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,941 (C$787) | C$1,637 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 94,864 (C$209) | C$154 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 508,341 (C$1,118) | C$1,601 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 360,981 (C$794) | C$1,167 | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 30,626 (C$67) | C$98 | - 32% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,553 (C$47) | C$54 | - 11% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 266,831 (C$587) | C$462 | + 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 91,427 (C$201) | C$155 | + 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,095 (C$9) | C$11 | - 21% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,472 (C$5.44) | C$23 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | + 24% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 24% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,114 (C$84) | C$73 | + 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 37,348 (C$82) | C$59 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,975 (C$125) | C$115 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,719 (C$101) | C$135 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,966,200 (C$32,926) | C$23,164 | + 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 661 (C$1.45) | C$1.31 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 28,319 (C$62) | C$109 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 36% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,282 (C$7) | C$10 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 24,979 (C$55) | C$20 | + 170% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 41,388 (C$91) | C$95 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,516 (C$8) | C$8 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,498 (C$8) | C$4.79 | + 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,481 (C$8) | C$5.47 | + 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,196 (C$4.83) | C$2.87 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,518 (C$3.34) | C$2.67 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,937 (C$15) | C$25 | - 38% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,515 (C$41) | C$54 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,610 (C$15) | C$28 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 33,238 (C$73) | C$157 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,780 (C$68) | C$97 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,728 (C$8) | C$11 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,094 (C$4.61) | C$5.03 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,493 (C$3.28) | C$7 | - 54% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 337,985 (C$744) | C$599 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 36 (C$0.08) | C$0.44 | - 82% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 29,901 (C$66) | C$58 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,980 (C$4.36) | C$14 | - 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00220
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 21,199 prices entered by 3,605 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in Canada
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