English
EspañolCost of living in Mexico compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Mexico is 27% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 147 (₡ 4,381) | ₡ 5,304 | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | Mex$ 105 (₡ 3,133) | ₡ 4,084 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 59 (₡ 1,774) | ₡ 1,858 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 20 (₡ 592) | ₡ 845 | - 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Mex$ 32 (₡ 946) | ₡ 1,744 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 22 (₡ 645) | ₡ 1,063 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 66 (₡ 1,955) | ₡ 2,442 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 41 (₡ 1,209) | ₡ 1,925 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 24 (₡ 710) | ₡ 1,057 | - 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 22 (₡ 647) | ₡ 896 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 212 (₡ 6,307) | ₡ 8,769 | - 28% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | Mex$ 27 (₡ 815) | ₡ 1,442 | - 43% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 19 (₡ 575) | ₡ 718 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 23% | |||
| Housing in Mexico is 23% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | Mex$ 19,211 (₡ 572,690) | ₡ 697,778 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | Mex$ 9,034 (₡ 269,314) | ₡ 355,854 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,224 (₡ 36,487) | ₡ 41,314 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | Mex$ 10,700 (₡ 318,978) | ₡ 441,170 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | Mex$ 5,944 (₡ 177,200) | ₡ 234,444 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | Mex$ 937 (₡ 27,937) | ₡ 32,658 | - 14% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 386 (₡ 11,509) | ₡ 18,254 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | Mex$ 7,565 (₡ 225,507) | ₡ 255,780 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,946 (₡ 58,003) | ₡ 81,228 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 103 (₡ 3,067) | ₡ 4,343 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 90 (₡ 2,678) | ₡ 2,482 | + 8% | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in Mexico is 30% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 862 (₡ 25,684) | ₡ 37,539 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | Mex$ 631 (₡ 18,796) | ₡ 26,928 | - 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,508 (₡ 44,941) | ₡ 60,850 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,230 (₡ 36,679) | ₡ 51,452 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Mexico is 30% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 323,596 (₡ 9,646,717) | ₡ 14,007,700 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 20 (₡ 601) | ₡ 661 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 487 (₡ 14,504) | ₡ 24,035 | - 40% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Mexico is 49% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 79 (₡ 2,360) | ₡ 3,320 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 226 (₡ 6,728) | ₡ 11,750 | - 43% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 545 (₡ 16,243) | ₡ 35,721 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | Mex$ 70 (₡ 2,075) | ₡ 3,189 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 50 (₡ 1,492) | ₡ 3,321 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 58 (₡ 1,736) | ₡ 3,805 | - 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 31 (₡ 912) | ₡ 1,856 | - 51% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 29 (₡ 861) | ₡ 1,765 | - 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 167 (₡ 4,981) | ₡ 6,383 | - 22% | |
| Entertainment | - 25% | |||
| Entertainment in Mexico is 25% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 342 (₡ 10,209) | ₡ 16,849 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 140 (₡ 4,181) | ₡ 6,401 | - 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 920 (₡ 27,439) | ₡ 25,841 | + 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 670 (₡ 19,974) | ₡ 28,638 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 110 (₡ 3,266) | ₡ 4,003 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 59 (₡ 1,749) | ₡ 1,938 | - 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 42 (₡ 1,260) | ₡ 1,688 | - 25% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | Mex$ 9,873 (₡ 294,319) | ₡ 317,568 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 1.55 (₡ 46) | ₡ 43 | + 7% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 818 (₡ 24,391) | ₡ 39,071 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 54 (₡ 1,619) | ₡ 2,194 | - 26% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 13, 2019.
Exchange rate:
29.811
CRC
/
MXN
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,098 prices entered by 1,516 different people.
Cost of living in Mexico is 28% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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