Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,044 (C$15) | C$23 | - 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,277 (C$9) | C$12 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,530 (C$5.36) | C$8 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 873 (C$1.85) | C$3.11 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,125 (C$4.50) | C$4.83 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,249 (C$2.64) | C$4.50 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,979 (C$6) | C$11 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,366 (C$5.01) | C$4.64 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,398 (C$2.96) | C$2.99 | - 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 922 (C$1.95) | C$3.90 | - 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,169 (C$17) | C$19 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,687 (C$3.57) | C$2.62 | + 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 825 (C$1.75) | C$2.59 | - 33% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 609,406 (C$1,290) | C$2,622 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 316,358 (C$670) | C$2,103 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 43,894 (C$93) | C$203 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 465,454 (C$985) | C$1,822 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 254,775 (C$539) | C$1,434 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 31,788 (C$67) | C$125 | - 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,137 (C$43) | C$68 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 221,156 (C$468) | C$415 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 97,438 (C$206) | C$181 | + 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,058 (C$11) | C$12 | - 11% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 3,317 (C$7) | C$27 | - 74% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 10% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 30,189 (C$64) | C$75 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,153 (C$51) | C$55 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 62,669 (C$133) | C$118 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 49,989 (C$106) | C$152 | - 30% | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 13% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 17,478,300 (C$37,000) | C$28,763 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 912 (C$1.93) | C$1.82 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 37,021 (C$78) | C$109 | - 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 4% | |||
| 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) | ₡ 4,440 (C$9) | C$11 | - 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,837 (C$23) | C$24 | - 3% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 37,809 (C$80) | C$99 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 4,151 (C$9) | C$9 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,936 (C$6) | C$5.56 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,828 (C$8) | C$5.78 | + 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,644 (C$3.48) | C$3.45 | + 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,981 (C$4.19) | C$3.16 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,249 (C$17) | C$29 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 32% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 14,210 (C$30) | C$74 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,809 (C$14) | C$29 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 35,660 (C$75) | C$143 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,973 (C$68) | C$110 | - 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,923 (C$10) | C$14 | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,780 (C$5.88) | C$5.24 | + 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,512 (C$3.20) | C$8 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 587,511 (C$1,244) | C$877 | + 42% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 69 (C$0.15) | C$0.45 | - 67% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,649 (C$84) | C$66 | + 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,634 (C$5.58) | C$18 | - 69% | |
| TOTAL | - 30% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 5,626 prices entered by 946 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00212
CAD
/
CRC
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in Canada
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Argentina is 48% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is about the same as in Canada
- Cost of living in Andorra is 11% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Canada
- Cost of living in Albania is 53% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 49% more expensive than in Canada
- Cost of living in Angola is 10% cheaper than in Canada
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 9% cheaper than in Canada