Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,864 (C$12) | C$19 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,943 (C$8) | C$11 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,819 (C$3.77) | C$7 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 840 (C$1.74) | C$2.23 | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,706 (C$3.53) | C$3.90 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,067 (C$2.21) | C$4.80 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,758 (C$5.71) | C$10 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,965 (C$4.07) | C$3.89 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 959 (C$1.99) | C$2.51 | - 21% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,054 (C$2.18) | C$3.15 | - 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,433 (C$20) | C$18 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,531 (C$3.17) | C$2.29 | + 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 735 (C$1.52) | C$2.04 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 48% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 566,613 (C$1,174) | C$2,077 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 278,738 (C$577) | C$1,569 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,389 (C$77) | C$171 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 465,082 (C$963) | C$1,601 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 229,175 (C$475) | C$1,097 | - 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 24,475 (C$51) | C$111 | - 54% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,436 (C$32) | C$54 | - 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 188,597 (C$391) | C$365 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,903 (C$120) | C$165 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,422 (C$9) | C$11 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,275 (C$4.71) | C$23 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 11% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 35,853 (C$74) | C$75 | - 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 20,140 (C$42) | C$48 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 51,359 (C$106) | C$110 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 46,668 (C$97) | C$137 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (C$24,144) | C$25,020 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (C$1.22) | C$1.10 | + 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (C$48) | C$109 | - 56% | |
| Personal Care | - 2% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (C$10) | C$11 | - 5% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (C$14) | C$17 | - 15% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (C$92) | C$85 | + 8% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (C$6) | C$9 | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (C$4.97) | C$5.07 | - 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (C$7) | C$5.41 | + 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (C$3.30) | C$3.19 | + 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (C$2.73) | C$2.70 | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (C$15) | C$25 | - 39% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (C$27) | C$55 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (C$12) | C$28 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (C$35) | C$147 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (C$62) | C$95 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (C$8) | C$12 | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (C$4.57) | C$4.89 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (C$2.93) | C$7 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (C$626) | C$572 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 46 (C$0.10) | C$0.52 | - 82% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (C$78) | C$57 | + 36% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (C$4.60) | C$15 | - 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 04, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00207
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 8,637 prices entered by 1,219 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 37% cheaper than in Canada
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