Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 19% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,323 (C$12) | C$18 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,089 (C$9) | C$11 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,890 (C$4.38) | C$7 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 846 (C$1.96) | C$2.42 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,715 (C$3.98) | C$3.88 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,015 (C$2.35) | C$3.92 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,391 (C$5.54) | C$10 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,989 (C$4.61) | C$3.86 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,056 (C$2.45) | C$2.55 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 923 (C$2.14) | C$3.28 | - 35% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,276 (C$21) | C$18 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,411 (C$3.27) | C$2.31 | + 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 700 (C$1.62) | C$2.16 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 39% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 673,108 (C$1,560) | C$2,257 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 352,894 (C$818) | C$1,724 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 40,201 (C$93) | C$164 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 433,997 (C$1,006) | C$1,704 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 234,433 (C$543) | C$1,209 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 31,261 (C$72) | C$111 | - 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,027 (C$42) | C$53 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 244,110 (C$566) | C$416 | + 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 80,546 (C$187) | C$157 | + 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,245 (C$10) | C$11 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,499 (C$5.79) | C$23 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 10% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,789 (C$88) | C$69 | + 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,032 (C$56) | C$52 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,590 (C$136) | C$112 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,262 (C$116) | C$139 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,923,300 (C$32,270) | C$25,291 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 658 (C$1.52) | C$1.24 | + 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,981 (C$56) | C$116 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | + 20% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,230 (C$7) | C$11 | - 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,130 (C$26) | C$21 | + 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,531 (C$85) | C$81 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,349 (C$8) | C$8 | + 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,271 (C$8) | C$5.00 | + 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,821 (C$9) | C$5.11 | + 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,721 (C$3.99) | C$3.00 | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,773 (C$4.11) | C$2.36 | + 74% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,624 (C$15) | C$24 | - 37% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,567 (C$36) | C$54 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,479 (C$15) | C$29 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 25,273 (C$59) | C$162 | - 64% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 27,915 (C$65) | C$98 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,123 (C$10) | C$12 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,971 (C$4.57) | C$4.86 | - 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,695 (C$3.93) | C$7 | - 46% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 324,949 (C$753) | C$574 | + 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (C$0.11) | C$0.39 | - 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,581 (C$92) | C$58 | + 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,215 (C$5.13) | C$14 | - 64% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 22, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00232
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 14,724 prices entered by 2,188 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Canada
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