Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 6% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £15 (₡ 10,344) | ₡ 7,413 | + 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 (₡ 5,219) | ₡ 4,617 | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.96 (₡ 2,717) | ₡ 2,037 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.12 (₡ 768) | ₡ 1,086 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.78 (₡ 2,592) | ₡ 1,801 | + 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.59 (₡ 1,774) | ₡ 1,461 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.93 (₡ 3,383) | ₡ 3,280 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £2.00 (₡ 1,374) | ₡ 1,873 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.91 (₡ 624) | ₡ 1,882 | - 67% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.99 (₡ 1,363) | ₡ 1,132 | + 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £10 (₡ 6,625) | ₡ 9,896 | - 33% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.22 (₡ 1,522) | ₡ 1,582 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.13 (₡ 772) | ₡ 956 | - 19% | |
| Housing | + 143% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is 143% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £2,613 (₡ 1,791,670) | ₡ 596,217 | + 201% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,930 (₡ 1,323,008) | ₡ 369,442 | + 258% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £172 (₡ 117,927) | ₡ 41,421 | + 185% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,597 (₡ 1,094,982) | ₡ 469,413 | + 133% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,224 (₡ 839,523) | ₡ 277,545 | + 202% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £136 (₡ 93,524) | ₡ 33,591 | + 178% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £26 (₡ 17,861) | ₡ 17,448 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £269 (₡ 184,331) | ₡ 224,686 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £98 (₡ 66,933) | ₡ 76,607 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £7 (₡ 4,475) | ₡ 7,046 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £15 (₡ 10,204) | ₡ 2,688 | + 280% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is 13% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £69 (₡ 47,271) | ₡ 31,452 | + 50% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £35 (₡ 23,833) | ₡ 24,361 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £81 (₡ 55,667) | ₡ 65,140 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £85 (₡ 58,262) | ₡ 43,671 | + 33% | |
| Transportation | + 145% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 145% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £27,498 (₡ 18,853,981) | ₡ 16,164,800 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.42 (₡ 971) | ₡ 699 | + 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £105 (₡ 72,004) | ₡ 18,757 | + 284% | |
| Personal Care | - 24% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 24% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £3.28 (₡ 2,250) | ₡ 3,614 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £8 (₡ 5,449) | ₡ 8,586 | - 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £72 (₡ 49,328) | ₡ 45,048 | + 10% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.86 (₡ 2,648) | ₡ 5,595 | - 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £2.18 (₡ 1,497) | ₡ 2,884 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £4.76 (₡ 3,264) | ₡ 4,972 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.28 (₡ 1,561) | ₡ 1,709 | - 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.95 (₡ 1,334) | ₡ 1,659 | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £15 (₡ 10,169) | ₡ 10,894 | - 7% | |
| Entertainment | + 49% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is 49% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United Kingdom | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £40 (₡ 27,767) | ₡ 17,895 | + 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £23 (₡ 15,548) | ₡ 7,004 | + 122% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £110 (₡ 75,196) | ₡ 27,540 | + 173% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £66 (₡ 45,070) | ₡ 37,831 | + 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £11 (₡ 7,861) | ₡ 6,034 | + 30% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.85 (₡ 2,641) | ₡ 2,855 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £6 (₡ 4,168) | ₡ 1,406 | + 197% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £427 (₡ 292,549) | ₡ 322,458 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.13 (₡ 86) | ₡ 38 | + 127% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £44 (₡ 29,863) | ₡ 35,256 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £15 (₡ 10,513) | ₡ 2,567 | + 310% | |
| TOTAL | + 73% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
685.649
CRC
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,221 prices entered by 449 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 73% more expensive than in Costa Rica
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