Cost of living in Mexico compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
Food | - 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Mexico is about the same as in Costa Rica | ||||
Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 307 (₡ 9,279) | ₡ 7,179 | + 29% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Mex$ 160 (₡ 4,850) | ₡ 4,244 | + 14% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 70 (₡ 2,113) | ₡ 2,104 | + 0% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 28 (₡ 842) | ₡ 1,033 | - 18% | |
12 eggs, large | Mex$ 47 (₡ 1,412) | ₡ 2,009 | - 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 30 (₡ 908) | ₡ 1,170 | - 22% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 94 (₡ 2,850) | ₡ 2,832 | + 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 50 (₡ 1,504) | ₡ 1,735 | - 13% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 35 (₡ 1,069) | ₡ 961 | + 11% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 30 (₡ 904) | ₡ 972 | - 7% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 280 (₡ 8,453) | ₡ 9,064 | - 7% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Mex$ 36 (₡ 1,078) | ₡ 1,602 | - 33% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 25 (₡ 767) | ₡ 887 | - 14% | |
Housing | + 10% | |||
Housing in Mexico is 10% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Mex$ 22,547 (₡ 681,589) | ₡ 589,206 | + 16% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Mex$ 11,524 (₡ 348,372) | ₡ 339,942 | + 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,261 (₡ 38,129) | ₡ 36,687 | + 4% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Mex$ 13,624 (₡ 411,833) | ₡ 378,343 | + 9% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Mex$ 7,661 (₡ 231,586) | ₡ 224,652 | + 3% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Mex$ 888 (₡ 26,842) | ₡ 21,419 | + 25% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 432 (₡ 13,066) | ₡ 13,402 | - 3% | |
40” flat screen tv | Mex$ 6,272 (₡ 189,590) | ₡ 192,502 | - 2% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 2,714 (₡ 82,049) | ₡ 70,289 | + 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 115 (₡ 3,477) | ₡ 4,103 | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 119 (₡ 3,605) | ₡ 2,235 | + 61% | |
Clothes | - 7% | |||
Clothes in Mexico is 7% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 979 (₡ 29,591) | ₡ 39,927 | - 26% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Mex$ 692 (₡ 20,926) | ₡ 19,656 | + 6% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,751 (₡ 52,941) | ₡ 54,687 | - 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,375 (₡ 41,557) | ₡ 47,659 | - 13% | |
Transportation | - 20% | |||
Transportation in Mexico is 20% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 375,809 (₡ 11,360,547) | ₡ 14,778,300 | - 23% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 23 (₡ 696) | ₡ 703 | - 1% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 583 (₡ 17,637) | ₡ 23,869 | - 26% | |
Personal Care | - 31% | |||
Personal Care in Mexico is 31% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 93 (₡ 2,821) | ₡ 3,885 | - 27% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 218 (₡ 6,596) | ₡ 7,483 | - 12% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 696 (₡ 21,037) | ₡ 34,202 | - 38% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Mex$ 79 (₡ 2,396) | ₡ 5,144 | - 53% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 63 (₡ 1,899) | ₡ 3,186 | - 40% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 69 (₡ 2,094) | ₡ 3,490 | - 40% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 35 (₡ 1,067) | ₡ 1,268 | - 16% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 34 (₡ 1,029) | ₡ 1,924 | - 47% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 260 (₡ 7,853) | ₡ 7,493 | + 5% | |
Entertainment | - 4% | |||
Entertainment in Mexico is about the same as in Costa Rica | ||||
Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 396 (₡ 11,982) | ₡ 14,613 | - 18% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 164 (₡ 4,965) | ₡ 6,915 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 829 (₡ 25,067) | ₡ 13,750 | + 82% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 904 (₡ 27,337) | ₡ 29,844 | - 8% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 179 (₡ 5,418) | ₡ 4,584 | + 18% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 81 (₡ 2,453) | ₡ 3,313 | - 26% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 49 (₡ 1,468) | ₡ 1,607 | - 9% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Mex$ 11,173 (₡ 337,740) | ₡ 347,355 | - 3% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 2.44 (₡ 74) | ₡ 38 | + 95% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 888 (₡ 26,846) | ₡ 34,947 | - 23% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 74 (₡ 2,243) | ₡ 2,752 | - 18% | |
TOTAL | - 7% |
These prices were last updated on March 19, 2024.
Exchange rate:
30.230
CRC
/
MXN
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,187 prices entered by 920 different people.
Cost of living in Mexico is 7% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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