Cost of living in Mexico compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Mexico is 21% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 241 (₡ 7,047) | ₡ 6,666 | + 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Mex$ 128 (₡ 3,744) | ₡ 4,281 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 58 (₡ 1,689) | ₡ 2,185 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 22 (₡ 641) | ₡ 803 | - 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Mex$ 36 (₡ 1,061) | ₡ 1,841 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 23 (₡ 663) | ₡ 1,020 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 67 (₡ 1,966) | ₡ 3,177 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 43 (₡ 1,244) | ₡ 2,005 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 25 (₡ 719) | ₡ 1,095 | - 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 25 (₡ 727) | ₡ 1,014 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 254 (₡ 7,426) | ₡ 9,082 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Mex$ 31 (₡ 911) | ₡ 1,519 | - 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 20 (₡ 592) | ₡ 803 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 18% | |||
| Housing in Mexico is 18% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Mex$ 19,054 (₡ 556,305) | ₡ 570,832 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Mex$ 8,907 (₡ 260,064) | ₡ 274,106 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,031 (₡ 30,094) | ₡ 40,851 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Mex$ 11,038 (₡ 322,270) | ₡ 383,332 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Mex$ 5,326 (₡ 155,515) | ₡ 241,106 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Mex$ 639 (₡ 18,649) | ₡ 34,165 | - 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 390 (₡ 11,391) | ₡ 17,500 | - 35% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Mex$ 6,758 (₡ 197,324) | ₡ 207,211 | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 2,167 (₡ 63,271) | ₡ 69,494 | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 103 (₡ 2,997) | ₡ 5,256 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 84 (₡ 2,453) | ₡ 2,436 | + 1% | |
| Clothes | - 29% | |||
| Clothes in Mexico is 29% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 832 (₡ 24,286) | ₡ 37,790 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Mex$ 646 (₡ 18,868) | ₡ 24,644 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,510 (₡ 44,083) | ₡ 60,030 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,101 (₡ 32,134) | ₡ 60,641 | - 47% | |
| Transportation | - 28% | |||
| Transportation in Mexico is 28% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 350,114 (₡ 10,222,176) | ₡ 15,119,600 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 20 (₡ 593) | ₡ 696 | - 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 561 (₡ 16,377) | ₡ 24,363 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Mexico is 50% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 82 (₡ 2,387) | ₡ 3,769 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 209 (₡ 6,105) | ₡ 11,361 | - 46% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 584 (₡ 17,061) | ₡ 38,214 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Mex$ 82 (₡ 2,392) | ₡ 3,737 | - 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 50 (₡ 1,446) | ₡ 3,329 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 57 (₡ 1,651) | ₡ 3,709 | - 55% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 29 (₡ 857) | ₡ 1,788 | - 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 28 (₡ 832) | ₡ 1,596 | - 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 200 (₡ 5,852) | ₡ 7,209 | - 19% | |
| Entertainment | - 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Mexico is 11% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 320 (₡ 9,331) | ₡ 12,381 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 149 (₡ 4,356) | ₡ 6,826 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 837 (₡ 24,443) | ₡ 16,037 | + 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 707 (₡ 20,650) | ₡ 28,022 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 141 (₡ 4,109) | ₡ 4,187 | - 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 75 (₡ 2,184) | ₡ 2,308 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 43 (₡ 1,246) | ₡ 1,241 | + 0% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Mex$ 11,001 (₡ 321,193) | ₡ 376,717 | - 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 3.44 (₡ 100) | ₡ 44 | + 130% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 901 (₡ 26,309) | ₡ 37,105 | - 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 63 (₡ 1,840) | ₡ 2,397 | - 23% | |
| TOTAL | - 23% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 29, 2021.
Exchange rate:
29.197
CRC
/
MXN
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 11,850 prices entered by 1,297 different people.
Cost of living in Mexico is 23% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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