- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,693 (¥844) | ¥1,006 | - 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,592 (¥646) | ¥711 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,338 (¥420) | ¥445 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 771 (¥139) | ¥198 | - 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,657 (¥298) | ¥270 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,075 (¥193) | ¥689 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,842 (¥511) | ¥889 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,882 (¥338) | ¥637 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 904 (¥163) | ¥430 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 905 (¥163) | ¥262 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,142 (¥1,644) | ¥1,549 | + 6% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,729 (¥311) | ¥212 | + 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 697 (¥125) | ¥195 | - 36% | |
| Housing | - 36% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 36% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 697,786 (¥125,458) | ¥242,113 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,941 (¥64,356) | ¥121,422 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 94,864 (¥17,056) | ¥21,895 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 508,341 (¥91,397) | ¥116,929 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 360,981 (¥64,903) | ¥79,022 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 30,626 (¥5,506) | ¥12,611 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,553 (¥3,875) | ¥4,156 | - 7% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 266,831 (¥47,975) | ¥55,558 | - 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 91,427 (¥16,438) | ¥16,830 | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,095 (¥736) | ¥693 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,472 (¥444) | ¥1,827 | - 76% | |
| Clothes | + 28% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 28% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,114 (¥6,853) | ¥7,207 | - 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 37,348 (¥6,715) | ¥4,012 | + 67% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,975 (¥10,244) | ¥8,544 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,719 (¥8,220) | ¥15,007 | - 45% | |
| Transportation | - 41% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 41% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,966,200 (¥2,690,846) | ¥2,657,440 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 661 (¥119) | ¥147 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 28,319 (¥5,092) | ¥11,877 | - 57% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 38% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,282 (¥590) | ¥1,278 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 24,979 (¥4,491) | ¥1,016 | + 342% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 41,388 (¥7,441) | ¥4,123 | + 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,516 (¥632) | ¥630 | + 0% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,498 (¥629) | ¥711 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,481 (¥626) | ¥484 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,196 (¥395) | ¥145 | + 172% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,518 (¥273) | ¥213 | + 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,937 (¥1,247) | ¥2,946 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,515 (¥3,329) | ¥4,119 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,610 (¥1,188) | ¥3,373 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 33,238 (¥5,976) | ¥12,005 | - 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,780 (¥5,534) | ¥8,157 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,728 (¥670) | ¥903 | - 26% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,094 (¥377) | ¥498 | - 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,493 (¥268) | ¥551 | - 51% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 337,985 (¥60,768) | ¥49,094 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 36 (¥7) | ¥56 | - 88% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 29,901 (¥5,376) | ¥10,056 | - 47% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,980 (¥356) | ¥474 | - 25% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.17979
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,522 prices entered by 383 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Japan
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