- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,803 (¥885) | ¥1,038 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,598 (¥663) | ¥691 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,497 (¥460) | ¥436 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 799 (¥147) | ¥203 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,612 (¥297) | ¥287 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,056 (¥195) | ¥777 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,987 (¥551) | ¥927 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,972 (¥363) | ¥688 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 907 (¥167) | ¥416 | - 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 842 (¥155) | ¥277 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,940 (¥1,464) | ¥1,538 | - 5% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,636 (¥302) | ¥199 | + 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 679 (¥125) | ¥198 | - 37% | |
| Housing | - 27% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 643,786 (¥118,670) | ¥218,000 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 395,411 (¥72,887) | ¥123,235 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 98,502 (¥18,157) | ¥21,518 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 467,877 (¥86,244) | ¥110,576 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 337,578 (¥62,226) | ¥71,567 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (¥25,877) | ¥12,926 | + 100% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,526 (¥3,968) | ¥4,101 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 282,228 (¥52,023) | ¥55,558 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 68,986 (¥12,716) | ¥16,537 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,331 (¥798) | ¥711 | + 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,460 (¥453) | ¥1,838 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 33% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,927 (¥7,544) | ¥7,197 | + 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 38,820 (¥7,156) | ¥4,336 | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,148 (¥9,981) | ¥8,421 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 41,115 (¥7,579) | ¥13,972 | - 46% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,622,500 (¥2,695,380) | ¥2,510,720 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 652 (¥120) | ¥145 | - 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 27,199 (¥5,014) | ¥11,257 | - 55% | |
| Personal Care | + 43% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 43% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,037 (¥560) | ¥1,278 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 21,724 (¥4,004) | ¥1,019 | + 293% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 42,612 (¥7,855) | ¥3,622 | + 117% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,511 (¥647) | ¥612 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,347 (¥617) | ¥707 | - 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,065 (¥565) | ¥455 | + 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,147 (¥396) | ¥137 | + 188% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,654 (¥305) | ¥229 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,332 (¥1,351) | ¥2,939 | - 54% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,193 (¥3,169) | ¥4,071 | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,307 (¥1,163) | ¥3,365 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 32,945 (¥6,073) | ¥14,181 | - 57% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,169 (¥5,192) | ¥7,647 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,318 (¥612) | ¥964 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,970 (¥363) | ¥487 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,300 (¥240) | ¥586 | - 59% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 376,038 (¥69,315) | ¥49,094 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 34 (¥6) | ¥56 | - 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,117 (¥5,920) | ¥10,339 | - 43% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,882 (¥347) | ¥468 | - 26% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 16, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.18433
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,617 prices entered by 406 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in Japan
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