Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,864 (¥1,022) | ¥941 | + 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,943 (¥688) | ¥695 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,819 (¥317) | ¥426 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 840 (¥146) | ¥203 | - 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,706 (¥297) | ¥244 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,067 (¥186) | ¥653 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,758 (¥481) | ¥888 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,965 (¥343) | ¥792 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 959 (¥167) | ¥389 | - 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,054 (¥184) | ¥306 | - 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,433 (¥1,645) | ¥1,351 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,531 (¥267) | ¥185 | + 44% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 735 (¥128) | ¥246 | - 48% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 60% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 566,613 (¥98,786) | ¥295,978 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 278,738 (¥48,597) | ¥169,167 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,389 (¥6,519) | ¥25,258 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 465,082 (¥81,085) | ¥144,655 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 229,175 (¥39,956) | ¥80,593 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 24,475 (¥4,267) | ¥13,235 | - 68% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,436 (¥2,691) | ¥4,060 | - 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 188,597 (¥32,881) | ¥55,604 | - 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,903 (¥10,095) | ¥10,692 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,422 (¥771) | ¥778 | - 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,275 (¥397) | ¥2,599 | - 85% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 35,853 (¥6,251) | ¥6,849 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 20,140 (¥3,511) | ¥4,780 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 51,359 (¥8,954) | ¥8,249 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 46,668 (¥8,136) | ¥12,511 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (¥2,032,015) | ¥2,585,890 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (¥103) | ¥135 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (¥4,021) | ¥10,445 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (¥868) | ¥1,225 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (¥1,189) | ¥1,626 | - 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (¥7,737) | ¥6,148 | + 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (¥529) | ¥812 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (¥418) | ¥655 | - 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (¥600) | ¥501 | + 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (¥278) | ¥170 | + 63% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (¥230) | ¥229 | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (¥1,277) | ¥2,983 | - 57% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (¥2,257) | ¥3,633 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (¥1,034) | ¥3,657 | - 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (¥2,931) | ¥12,969 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (¥5,201) | ¥6,422 | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (¥690) | ¥1,122 | - 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (¥385) | ¥445 | - 14% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (¥247) | ¥556 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (¥52,698) | ¥52,544 | + 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 46 (¥8) | ¥40 | - 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (¥6,552) | ¥9,497 | - 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (¥387) | ¥525 | - 26% | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.17435
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,982 prices entered by 252 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 44% cheaper than in Japan
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