Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 29% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,252 (¥2,012) | ¥1,000 | + 101% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,749 (¥1,317) | ¥722 | + 82% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,104 (¥584) | ¥512 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 952 (¥264) | ¥204 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,145 (¥595) | ¥324 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,241 (¥344) | ¥616 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,802 (¥777) | ¥932 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,127 (¥590) | ¥800 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,239 (¥344) | ¥542 | - 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,003 (¥278) | ¥290 | - 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,533 (¥2,922) | ¥1,238 | + 136% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,515 (¥420) | ¥237 | + 77% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 930 (¥258) | ¥205 | + 26% | |
| Housing | - 37% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 37% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 579,458 (¥160,723) | ¥278,877 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 301,445 (¥83,611) | ¥150,711 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 34,364 (¥9,532) | ¥23,456 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 384,970 (¥106,779) | ¥149,073 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 252,041 (¥69,908) | ¥80,601 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 22,732 (¥6,305) | ¥36,500 | - 83% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,275 (¥3,959) | ¥4,379 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 194,338 (¥53,903) | ¥52,721 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 67,373 (¥18,687) | ¥17,628 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,978 (¥1,381) | ¥1,017 | + 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,347 (¥651) | ¥1,313 | - 50% | |
| Clothes | + 34% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,934 (¥11,077) | ¥6,007 | + 84% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,045 (¥6,669) | ¥5,278 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 50,017 (¥13,873) | ¥9,959 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 40,581 (¥11,256) | ¥13,627 | - 17% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,762,600 (¥4,372,048) | ¥2,740,140 | + 60% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 757 (¥210) | ¥170 | + 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,473 (¥5,679) | ¥9,951 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 1% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,609 (¥1,001) | ¥2,154 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,257 (¥2,568) | ¥2,551 | + 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 30,952 (¥8,585) | ¥5,499 | + 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,761 (¥766) | ¥1,340 | - 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,787 (¥773) | ¥842 | - 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,921 (¥1,088) | ¥750 | + 45% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,582 (¥439) | ¥225 | + 95% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,452 (¥403) | ¥233 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,224 (¥1,726) | ¥3,251 | - 47% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,484 (¥3,463) | ¥4,367 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,715 (¥1,863) | ¥3,572 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,983 (¥3,879) | ¥4,524 | - 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 25,921 (¥7,190) | ¥6,047 | + 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,285 (¥1,189) | ¥901 | + 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,817 (¥781) | ¥487 | + 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,561 (¥433) | ¥590 | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 339,072 (¥94,048) | ¥98,506 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 51 (¥14) | ¥52 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 30,869 (¥8,562) | ¥9,275 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,744 (¥761) | ¥584 | + 30% | |
| TOTAL | - 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.27737
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,401 prices entered by 196 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 14% cheaper than in Japan
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