Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 9% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £14 (₡ 9,210) | ₡ 7,871 | + 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £6 (₡ 4,100) | ₡ 4,854 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.22 (₡ 2,152) | ₡ 2,307 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.00 (₡ 671) | ₡ 968 | - 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.20 (₡ 2,137) | ₡ 2,016 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.00 (₡ 1,335) | ₡ 1,153 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £3.84 (₡ 2,566) | ₡ 3,061 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.95 (₡ 1,305) | ₡ 2,429 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.90 (₡ 602) | ₡ 1,191 | - 49% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.69 (₡ 1,128) | ₡ 900 | + 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £8 (₡ 5,305) | ₡ 8,475 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.13 (₡ 1,421) | ₡ 1,649 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.00 (₡ 668) | ₡ 919 | - 27% | |
| Housing | + 82% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is 82% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £1,876 (₡ 1,252,556) | ₡ 592,020 | + 112% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,392 (₡ 929,716) | ₡ 300,344 | + 210% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £204 (₡ 136,040) | ₡ 38,035 | + 258% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,056 (₡ 704,986) | ₡ 402,494 | + 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £864 (₡ 576,845) | ₡ 232,028 | + 149% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £123 (₡ 81,834) | ₡ 29,406 | + 178% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £26 (₡ 17,609) | ₡ 17,100 | + 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £293 (₡ 195,615) | ₡ 250,782 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £82 (₡ 54,691) | ₡ 70,487 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £6 (₡ 4,227) | ₡ 12,281 | - 66% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £14 (₡ 9,068) | ₡ 2,755 | + 229% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is 5% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £62 (₡ 41,465) | ₡ 38,857 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £32 (₡ 21,269) | ₡ 23,998 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £69 (₡ 46,338) | ₡ 55,702 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £71 (₡ 47,294) | ₡ 36,902 | + 28% | |
| Transportation | + 54% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 54% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £24,382 (₡ 16,282,177) | ₡ 16,283,000 | - 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.65 (₡ 1,101) | ₡ 905 | + 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £89 (₡ 59,325) | ₡ 30,682 | + 93% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 16% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £4.06 (₡ 2,709) | ₡ 3,872 | - 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £10 (₡ 6,744) | ₡ 11,044 | - 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £99 (₡ 66,306) | ₡ 36,487 | + 82% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £2.95 (₡ 1,973) | ₡ 3,038 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.68 (₡ 1,124) | ₡ 2,962 | - 62% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.69 (₡ 2,462) | ₡ 3,612 | - 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.21 (₡ 1,475) | ₡ 1,689 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.58 (₡ 1,056) | ₡ 1,551 | - 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £14 (₡ 9,459) | ₡ 7,509 | + 26% | |
| Entertainment | + 31% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is 31% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £36 (₡ 23,949) | ₡ 11,094 | + 116% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £20 (₡ 13,093) | ₡ 6,850 | + 91% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £125 (₡ 83,727) | ₡ 16,000 | + 423% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £60 (₡ 39,914) | ₡ 33,546 | + 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £9 (₡ 6,243) | ₡ 4,541 | + 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.22 (₡ 2,151) | ₡ 2,531 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £4.81 (₡ 3,215) | ₡ 1,355 | + 137% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £432 (₡ 288,391) | ₡ 403,893 | - 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.10 (₡ 68) | ₡ 45 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £34 (₡ 22,710) | ₡ 33,211 | - 32% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £13 (₡ 8,464) | ₡ 2,530 | + 235% | |
| TOTAL | + 36% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
667.784
CRC
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,885 prices entered by 807 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 36% more expensive than in Costa Rica
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