Cost of living in Mexico compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Mexico is 17% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 285 (₡ 8,469) | ₡ 6,983 | + 21% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Mex$ 144 (₡ 4,267) | ₡ 5,046 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 66 (₡ 1,968) | ₡ 2,290 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 25 (₡ 751) | ₡ 950 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Mex$ 41 (₡ 1,227) | ₡ 2,505 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 26 (₡ 775) | ₡ 1,253 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 81 (₡ 2,400) | ₡ 3,625 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 46 (₡ 1,364) | ₡ 2,138 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 30 (₡ 893) | ₡ 1,462 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 27 (₡ 809) | ₡ 964 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 262 (₡ 7,775) | ₡ 8,480 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Mex$ 34 (₡ 1,003) | ₡ 1,743 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 22 (₡ 652) | ₡ 952 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 13% | |||
| Housing in Mexico is 13% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Mex$ 19,990 (₡ 593,223) | ₡ 598,365 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Mex$ 10,138 (₡ 300,855) | ₡ 296,687 | + 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,047 (₡ 31,064) | ₡ 38,122 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Mex$ 13,288 (₡ 394,324) | ₡ 426,773 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Mex$ 6,894 (₡ 204,582) | ₡ 227,481 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Mex$ 710 (₡ 21,074) | ₡ 35,538 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 387 (₡ 11,486) | ₡ 18,732 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Mex$ 7,193 (₡ 213,465) | ₡ 294,698 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 2,407 (₡ 71,421) | ₡ 73,990 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 109 (₡ 3,249) | ₡ 5,379 | - 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 119 (₡ 3,529) | ₡ 2,728 | + 29% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Mexico is 16% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 983 (₡ 29,160) | ₡ 38,077 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Mex$ 685 (₡ 20,341) | ₡ 24,568 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,678 (₡ 49,810) | ₡ 54,233 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,317 (₡ 39,073) | ₡ 39,819 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Mexico is 43% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 361,153 (₡ 10,717,461) | ₡ 18,383,000 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 22 (₡ 667) | ₡ 919 | - 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 538 (₡ 15,957) | ₡ 33,571 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 43% | |||
| Personal Care in Mexico is 43% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 80 (₡ 2,372) | ₡ 3,872 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 195 (₡ 5,775) | ₡ 11,044 | - 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 617 (₡ 18,313) | ₡ 36,487 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Mex$ 78 (₡ 2,308) | ₡ 3,038 | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 57 (₡ 1,689) | ₡ 2,962 | - 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 63 (₡ 1,874) | ₡ 3,612 | - 48% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 34 (₡ 1,021) | ₡ 1,689 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 34 (₡ 1,014) | ₡ 1,551 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 235 (₡ 6,984) | ₡ 7,509 | - 7% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Mexico is 8% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Mexico | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 354 (₡ 10,503) | ₡ 12,210 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 158 (₡ 4,700) | ₡ 6,793 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 828 (₡ 24,560) | ₡ 14,186 | + 73% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 775 (₡ 22,984) | ₡ 33,546 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 152 (₡ 4,511) | ₡ 4,541 | - 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 84 (₡ 2,481) | ₡ 2,531 | - 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 43 (₡ 1,274) | ₡ 1,353 | - 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Mex$ 12,268 (₡ 364,073) | ₡ 403,893 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 3.20 (₡ 95) | ₡ 50 | + 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 907 (₡ 26,921) | ₡ 33,270 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 69 (₡ 2,054) | ₡ 2,507 | - 18% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
29.676
CRC
/
MXN
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,692 prices entered by 1,054 different people.
Cost of living in Mexico is 26% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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