Cost of living in Spain compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Spain is 8% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Spain | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €18 (₡ 10,576) | ₡ 7,298 | + 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (₡ 6,232) | ₡ 4,899 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.93 (₡ 2,304) | ₡ 2,037 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.05 (₡ 617) | ₡ 1,086 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.12 (₡ 1,826) | ₡ 1,801 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.11 (₡ 1,235) | ₡ 1,461 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 (₡ 4,255) | ₡ 4,154 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.01 (₡ 1,180) | ₡ 1,873 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.60 (₡ 937) | ₡ 1,882 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.15 (₡ 675) | ₡ 1,132 | - 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 (₡ 4,191) | ₡ 9,896 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.07 (₡ 1,212) | ₡ 1,582 | - 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.03 (₡ 601) | ₡ 1,009 | - 40% | |
| Housing | + 31% | |||
| Housing in Spain is 31% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Spain | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,485 (₡ 869,893) | ₡ 611,951 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,027 (₡ 601,492) | ₡ 380,528 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €112 (₡ 65,677) | ₡ 41,421 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,006 (₡ 589,652) | ₡ 469,413 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €712 (₡ 417,315) | ₡ 261,144 | + 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €81 (₡ 47,558) | ₡ 33,591 | + 42% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €25 (₡ 14,365) | ₡ 17,448 | - 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €336 (₡ 196,708) | ₡ 224,686 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €97 (₡ 56,972) | ₡ 76,607 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 (₡ 4,222) | ₡ 7,603 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €12 (₡ 7,142) | ₡ 2,688 | + 166% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in Spain is about the same as in Costa Rica | ||||
| Spain | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €79 (₡ 46,279) | ₡ 34,804 | + 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €37 (₡ 21,875) | ₡ 25,464 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €90 (₡ 52,444) | ₡ 69,355 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €99 (₡ 58,002) | ₡ 51,389 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in Spain is about the same as in Costa Rica | ||||
| Spain | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €27,130 (₡ 15,894,301) | ₡ 16,164,800 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.48 (₡ 864) | ₡ 699 | + 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €27 (₡ 15,910) | ₡ 18,588 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Spain is 38% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Spain | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 (₡ 5,356) | ₡ 3,614 | + 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €7 (₡ 4,179) | ₡ 8,586 | - 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €55 (₡ 32,337) | ₡ 47,306 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.08 (₡ 2,392) | ₡ 6,203 | - 61% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.58 (₡ 1,511) | ₡ 3,366 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.83 (₡ 1,661) | ₡ 5,183 | - 68% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.03 (₡ 1,191) | ₡ 1,672 | - 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.09 (₡ 1,225) | ₡ 1,588 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €17 (₡ 10,164) | ₡ 10,527 | - 3% | |
| Entertainment | + 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Spain is 37% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Spain | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €38 (₡ 22,079) | ₡ 16,835 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €17 (₡ 10,159) | ₡ 7,449 | + 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €46 (₡ 27,056) | ₡ 27,540 | - 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €53 (₡ 31,209) | ₡ 37,831 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 (₡ 6,381) | ₡ 6,034 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.19 (₡ 1,870) | ₡ 3,265 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €5.07 (₡ 2,969) | ₡ 1,406 | + 111% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €487 (₡ 285,343) | ₡ 300,507 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.37 (₡ 214) | ₡ 38 | + 466% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €54 (₡ 31,799) | ₡ 35,256 | - 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.75 (₡ 3,368) | ₡ 2,567 | + 31% | |
| TOTAL | + 7% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
585.861
CRC
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,831 prices entered by 827 different people.
Cost of living in Spain is 7% more expensive than in Costa Rica
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