Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 77% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 77% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,632 (96元) | 40元 | + 139% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,600 (67元) | 36元 | + 83% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,968 (29元) | 15元 | + 95% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,107 (16元) | 14元 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,038 (30元) | 17元 | + 77% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,378 (20元) | 11元 | + 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,221 (47元) | 50元 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,678 (24元) | 16元 | + 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,630 (24元) | 6元 | + 268% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,084 (16元) | 6元 | + 144% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,341 (135元) | 94元 | + 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,557 (23元) | 9元 | + 147% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 891 (13元) | 13元 | + 3% | |
| Housing | - 9% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 9% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 539,231 (7,817元) | 14,276元 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 331,404 (4,804元) | 6,833元 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 42,537 (617元) | 449元 | + 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 438,529 (6,357元) | 6,729元 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 285,596 (4,140元) | 3,858元 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,314 (512元) | 296元 | + 73% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,647 (256元) | 100元 | + 157% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 207,090 (3,002元) | 1,460元 | + 106% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 77,559 (1,124元) | 553元 | + 103% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 6,812 (99元) | 43元 | + 130% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,763 (40元) | 57元 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 16% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 30,752 (446元) | 418元 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,577 (327元) | 296元 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,562 (1,023元) | 570元 | + 79% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,015 (653元) | 705元 | - 7% | |
| Transportation | + 32% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 32% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,174,200 (234,472元) | 148,726元 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 698 (10元) | 8元 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,734 (301元) | 233元 | + 29% | |
| Personal Care | + 57% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 57% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (52元) | 51元 | + 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (124元) | 84元 | + 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,057 (552元) | 114元 | + 385% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (81元) | 67元 | + 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,658 (53元) | 57元 | - 7% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,852 (56元) | 25元 | + 123% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,754 (25元) | 7元 | + 266% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,149 (31元) | 13元 | + 149% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,685 (155元) | 85元 | + 83% | |
| Entertainment | + 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 26% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,029 (261元) | 203元 | + 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,058 (102元) | 109元 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (399元) | 703元 | - 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 36,113 (524元) | 320元 | + 64% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,513 (80元) | 81元 | - 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,982 (43元) | 28元 | + 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,443 (21元) | 15元 | + 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 279,856 (4,057元) | 3,924元 | + 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (0.55元) | 0.34元 | + 63% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,666 (517元) | 414元 | + 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,306 (33元) | 26元 | + 26% | |
| TOTAL | + 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01450
CNY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,380 prices entered by 182 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 26% more expensive than in China
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