Cost of living in Mexico compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Mexico is 13% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Mex$ 212 (₡ 6,459) | ₡ 5,591 | + 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Mex$ 117 (₡ 3,562) | ₡ 3,842 | - 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Mex$ 53 (₡ 1,616) | ₡ 1,746 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Mex$ 21 (₡ 637) | ₡ 831 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Mex$ 35 (₡ 1,052) | ₡ 1,549 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Mex$ 26 (₡ 779) | ₡ 948 | - 18% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Mex$ 73 (₡ 2,223) | ₡ 2,542 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Mex$ 40 (₡ 1,223) | ₡ 2,072 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Mex$ 24 (₡ 741) | ₡ 902 | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Mex$ 23 (₡ 704) | ₡ 1,043 | - 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Mex$ 232 (₡ 7,066) | ₡ 9,081 | - 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Mex$ 30 (₡ 903) | ₡ 1,460 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Mex$ 20 (₡ 616) | ₡ 651 | - 5% | |
| Housing | - 12% | |||
| Housing in Mexico is 12% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Mex$ 18,950 (₡ 576,761) | ₡ 555,817 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Mex$ 8,631 (₡ 262,678) | ₡ 277,281 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Mex$ 1,068 (₡ 32,519) | ₡ 38,110 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Mex$ 10,411 (₡ 316,879) | ₡ 415,185 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Mex$ 5,145 (₡ 156,597) | ₡ 231,193 | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Mex$ 763 (₡ 23,227) | ₡ 23,158 | + 0% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Mex$ 379 (₡ 11,538) | ₡ 15,662 | - 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Mex$ 7,335 (₡ 223,259) | ₡ 184,195 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 2,072 (₡ 63,051) | ₡ 64,309 | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Mex$ 103 (₡ 3,130) | ₡ 4,330 | - 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Mex$ 90 (₡ 2,753) | ₡ 2,618 | + 5% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Mexico is 13% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Mex$ 854 (₡ 25,979) | ₡ 36,828 | - 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Mex$ 663 (₡ 20,176) | ₡ 21,268 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 1,529 (₡ 46,546) | ₡ 52,121 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Mex$ 1,128 (₡ 34,342) | ₡ 41,670 | - 18% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in Mexico is 17% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Mex$ 347,567 (₡ 10,578,478) | ₡ 11,404,500 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Mex$ 19 (₡ 585) | ₡ 610 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Mex$ 543 (₡ 16,527) | ₡ 23,096 | - 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 42% | |||
| Personal Care in Mexico is 42% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Mex$ 80 (₡ 2,450) | ₡ 2,766 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Mex$ 176 (₡ 5,361) | ₡ 8,438 | - 36% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Mex$ 537 (₡ 16,358) | ₡ 43,044 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Mex$ 76 (₡ 2,307) | ₡ 2,971 | - 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Mex$ 51 (₡ 1,544) | ₡ 2,472 | - 38% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Mex$ 56 (₡ 1,698) | ₡ 3,499 | - 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Mex$ 29 (₡ 889) | ₡ 1,508 | - 41% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Mex$ 30 (₡ 904) | ₡ 1,243 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Mex$ 199 (₡ 6,061) | ₡ 7,525 | - 19% | |
| Entertainment | - 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Mexico is 11% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Mex$ 323 (₡ 9,841) | ₡ 12,582 | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Mex$ 144 (₡ 4,396) | ₡ 6,250 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Mex$ 910 (₡ 27,703) | ₡ 19,780 | + 40% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Mex$ 699 (₡ 21,264) | ₡ 28,826 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Mex$ 123 (₡ 3,732) | ₡ 4,329 | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Mex$ 70 (₡ 2,142) | ₡ 2,226 | - 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Mex$ 39 (₡ 1,175) | ₡ 1,446 | - 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Mex$ 9,933 (₡ 302,330) | ₡ 313,969 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Mex$ 2.49 (₡ 76) | ₡ 47 | + 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Mex$ 1,057 (₡ 32,167) | ₡ 39,579 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Mex$ 61 (₡ 1,843) | ₡ 2,124 | - 13% | |
| TOTAL | - 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 05, 2020.
Exchange rate:
30.436
CRC
/
MXN
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 15,112 prices entered by 1,340 different people.
Cost of living in Mexico is 16% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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