Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
Food | - 7% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Antigua and Barbuda is 7% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | EC$30 (₡ 5,588) | ₡ 7,413 | - 25% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | EC$25 (₡ 4,632) | ₡ 4,617 | + 0% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | EC$6.00 (₡ 1,117) | ₡ 2,037 | - 45% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | EC$5.03 (₡ 937) | ₡ 1,086 | - 14% | |
12 eggs, large | EC$12 (₡ 2,235) | ₡ 1,801 | + 24% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | EC$14 (₡ 2,530) | ₡ 1,461 | + 73% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | EC$21 (₡ 3,906) | ₡ 3,280 | + 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | EC$12 (₡ 2,188) | ₡ 1,873 | + 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | EC$6 (₡ 1,156) | ₡ 1,882 | - 39% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | EC$6 (₡ 1,134) | ₡ 1,132 | + 0% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | EC$25 (₡ 4,657) | ₡ 9,896 | - 53% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | EC$6.00 (₡ 1,118) | ₡ 1,582 | - 29% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | EC$7 (₡ 1,304) | ₡ 956 | + 36% | |
Housing | + 35% | |||
Housing in Antigua and Barbuda is 35% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | EC$4,822 (₡ 898,189) | ₡ 596,217 | + 51% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | EC$2,904 (₡ 540,860) | ₡ 369,442 | + 46% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | EC$645 (₡ 120,164) | ₡ 41,421 | + 190% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | EC$2,366 (₡ 440,639) | ₡ 469,413 | - 6% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | EC$1,389 (₡ 258,659) | ₡ 277,545 | - 7% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | EC$405 (₡ 75,442) | ₡ 33,591 | + 125% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | EC$150 (₡ 27,941) | ₡ 17,448 | + 60% | |
40” flat screen tv | EC$129 (₡ 24,030) | ₡ 224,686 | - 89% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | EC$765 (₡ 142,554) | ₡ 76,607 | + 86% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | EC$14 (₡ 2,667) | ₡ 7,046 | - 62% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₡ 2,688 | - | |
Clothes | + 26% | |||
Clothes in Antigua and Barbuda is 26% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | EC$180 (₡ 33,530) | ₡ 31,452 | + 7% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | EC$216 (₡ 40,229) | ₡ 24,361 | + 65% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | EC$257 (₡ 47,902) | ₡ 65,140 | - 26% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | EC$260 (₡ 48,432) | ₡ 43,671 | + 11% | |
Transportation | + 13% | |||
Transportation in Antigua and Barbuda is 13% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | EC$102,649 (₡ 19,121,037) | ₡ 16,164,800 | + 18% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | EC$3.45 (₡ 643) | ₡ 699 | - 8% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | EC$120 (₡ 22,353) | ₡ 18,757 | + 19% | |
Personal Care | - 9% | |||
Personal Care in Antigua and Barbuda is 9% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | EC$38 (₡ 7,158) | ₡ 3,614 | + 98% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₡ 8,586 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | EC$150 (₡ 27,941) | ₡ 45,048 | - 38% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | EC$39 (₡ 7,285) | ₡ 5,595 | + 30% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | EC$8 (₡ 1,575) | ₡ 2,884 | - 45% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | EC$32 (₡ 5,873) | ₡ 4,972 | + 18% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | EC$13 (₡ 2,428) | ₡ 1,709 | + 42% | |
Tube of toothpaste | EC$5.85 (₡ 1,090) | ₡ 1,659 | - 34% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | EC$36 (₡ 6,778) | ₡ 10,894 | - 38% | |
Entertainment | + 63% | |||
Entertainment in Antigua and Barbuda is 63% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Antigua and Barbuda | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | EC$124 (₡ 23,088) | ₡ 17,895 | + 29% | |
2 tickets to the movies | EC$15 (₡ 2,794) | ₡ 7,004 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | EC$100 (₡ 18,628) | ₡ 27,540 | - 32% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | EC$400 (₡ 74,510) | ₡ 37,831 | + 97% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | EC$15 (₡ 2,794) | ₡ 6,034 | - 54% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | EC$15 (₡ 2,775) | ₡ 2,855 | - 3% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | EC$8 (₡ 1,429) | ₡ 1,406 | + 2% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | EC$4,000 (₡ 745,104) | ₡ 322,458 | + 131% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | EC$0.95 (₡ 177) | ₡ 38 | + 368% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | EC$160 (₡ 29,804) | ₡ 35,256 | - 15% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | EC$12 (₡ 2,235) | ₡ 2,567 | - 13% | |
TOTAL | + 22% |

These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
186.276
CRC
/
XCD
Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 22% more expensive than in Costa Rica
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