Cost of living in Ecuador compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Ecuador is 31% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $10 (₡ 4,968) | ₡ 6,643 | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (₡ 3,608) | ₡ 4,633 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.16 (₡ 1,602) | ₡ 2,563 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.13 (₡ 573) | ₡ 1,095 | - 48% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.46 (₡ 1,249) | ₡ 2,089 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.47 (₡ 745) | ₡ 1,272 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.05 (₡ 2,561) | ₡ 3,451 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $1.70 (₡ 863) | ₡ 1,694 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.30 (₡ 658) | ₡ 1,325 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.87 (₡ 949) | ₡ 1,102 | - 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $13 (₡ 6,537) | ₡ 8,100 | - 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.12 (₡ 1,076) | ₡ 1,623 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.20 (₡ 606) | ₡ 860 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 29% | |||
| Housing in Ecuador is 29% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $751 (₡ 380,756) | ₡ 553,149 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $483 (₡ 244,726) | ₡ 323,133 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $49 (₡ 25,080) | ₡ 43,944 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $530 (₡ 268,630) | ₡ 461,548 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $348 (₡ 176,506) | ₡ 256,808 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $40 (₡ 20,501) | ₡ 33,666 | - 39% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $22 (₡ 11,098) | ₡ 17,163 | - 35% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $405 (₡ 205,398) | ₡ 211,652 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $144 (₡ 72,812) | ₡ 77,378 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 (₡ 3,587) | ₡ 4,552 | - 21% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $11 (₡ 5,578) | ₡ 2,710 | + 106% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in Ecuador is 14% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $68 (₡ 34,562) | ₡ 38,440 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $59 (₡ 30,122) | ₡ 21,620 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $113 (₡ 57,436) | ₡ 60,028 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $86 (₡ 43,821) | ₡ 49,403 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Ecuador is 35% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,645 (₡ 11,481,077) | ₡ 15,110,400 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.15 (₡ 583) | ₡ 707 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $27 (₡ 13,622) | ₡ 25,365 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in Ecuador is 33% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₡ 3,471) | ₡ 3,537 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $10 (₡ 5,202) | ₡ 8,586 | - 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $42 (₡ 21,205) | ₡ 37,178 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.42 (₡ 2,746) | ₡ 5,595 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.26 (₡ 2,667) | ₡ 3,618 | - 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (₡ 3,330) | ₡ 4,117 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.31 (₡ 1,171) | ₡ 1,762 | - 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.85 (₡ 937) | ₡ 2,245 | - 58% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $12 (₡ 6,035) | ₡ 11,635 | - 48% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Ecuador is 12% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $20 (₡ 10,275) | ₡ 18,139 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $13 (₡ 6,524) | ₡ 7,361 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $67 (₡ 33,769) | ₡ 25,081 | + 35% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $41 (₡ 20,574) | ₡ 36,290 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $10 (₡ 5,305) | ₡ 5,335 | - 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $3.65 (₡ 1,850) | ₡ 3,395 | - 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $2.95 (₡ 1,494) | ₡ 1,398 | + 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $616 (₡ 312,255) | ₡ 339,726 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (₡ 109) | ₡ 38 | + 187% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $46 (₡ 23,374) | ₡ 38,789 | - 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $5.83 (₡ 2,958) | ₡ 2,306 | + 28% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
506.996
CRC
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,320 prices entered by 198 different people.
Cost of living in Ecuador is 27% cheaper than in Costa Rica
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 21% more expensive than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 90% more expensive than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Albania is 37% cheaper than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 40% cheaper than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Armenia is 5% cheaper than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Andorra is 24% more expensive than in Costa Rica