Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 23% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,323 (¥1,031) | ¥1,041 | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,089 (¥792) | ¥713 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,890 (¥366) | ¥467 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 846 (¥164) | ¥215 | - 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,715 (¥332) | ¥287 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,015 (¥197) | ¥484 | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,391 (¥463) | ¥1,246 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,989 (¥385) | ¥610 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,056 (¥205) | ¥381 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 923 (¥179) | ¥267 | - 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,276 (¥1,797) | ¥1,801 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,411 (¥273) | ¥223 | + 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 700 (¥136) | ¥242 | - 44% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 673,108 (¥130,390) | ¥193,680 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 352,894 (¥68,360) | ¥112,128 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 40,201 (¥7,787) | ¥15,296 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 433,997 (¥84,071) | ¥127,930 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 234,433 (¥45,413) | ¥84,445 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 31,261 (¥6,056) | ¥11,742 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,027 (¥3,492) | ¥3,714 | - 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 244,110 (¥47,287) | ¥37,069 | + 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 80,546 (¥15,603) | ¥10,892 | + 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,245 (¥822) | ¥749 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,499 (¥484) | ¥1,906 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,789 (¥7,320) | ¥6,528 | + 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,032 (¥4,655) | ¥4,644 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,590 (¥11,350) | ¥7,956 | + 43% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,262 (¥9,736) | ¥13,013 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 36% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,923,300 (¥2,697,132) | ¥2,936,380 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 658 (¥127) | ¥143 | - 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,981 (¥4,645) | ¥9,633 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,230 (¥626) | ¥1,406 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,130 (¥2,156) | ¥929 | + 132% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,531 (¥7,077) | ¥8,740 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,349 (¥649) | ¥554 | + 17% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,271 (¥634) | ¥669 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,821 (¥740) | ¥525 | + 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,721 (¥333) | ¥218 | + 53% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,773 (¥343) | ¥251 | + 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,624 (¥1,283) | ¥2,654 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 25% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,567 (¥3,016) | ¥3,633 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,479 (¥1,255) | ¥3,165 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 25,273 (¥4,896) | ¥15,347 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 27,915 (¥5,407) | ¥6,734 | - 20% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,123 (¥799) | ¥809 | - 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,971 (¥382) | ¥511 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,695 (¥328) | ¥509 | - 35% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 324,949 (¥62,947) | ¥46,875 | + 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (¥10) | ¥26 | - 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,581 (¥7,667) | ¥8,766 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,215 (¥429) | ¥477 | - 10% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 15, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.19371
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,633 prices entered by 381 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 28% cheaper than in Japan
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