Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 21% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,005 (¥1,358) | ¥1,145 | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,282 (¥830) | ¥719 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,276 (¥441) | ¥437 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 821 (¥159) | ¥211 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,595 (¥309) | ¥282 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 923 (¥179) | ¥815 | - 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,306 (¥641) | ¥951 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,101 (¥407) | ¥984 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,166 (¥226) | ¥421 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 857 (¥166) | ¥268 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,955 (¥1,736) | ¥1,770 | - 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,624 (¥315) | ¥217 | + 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 789 (¥153) | ¥225 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 523,206 (¥101,430) | ¥194,768 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 307,245 (¥59,563) | ¥126,641 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 51,453 (¥9,975) | ¥21,178 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,257 (¥77,982) | ¥142,258 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 257,301 (¥49,881) | ¥80,836 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 37,529 (¥7,275) | ¥13,643 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,592 (¥3,992) | ¥3,988 | + 0% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 179,795 (¥34,855) | ¥59,521 | - 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 69,311 (¥13,437) | ¥17,809 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,382 (¥1,043) | ¥665 | + 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,940 (¥570) | ¥2,700 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,876 (¥7,149) | ¥7,941 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 27,404 (¥5,313) | ¥4,162 | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 63,383 (¥12,288) | ¥7,471 | + 64% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 56,836 (¥11,018) | ¥15,388 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,980,200 (¥3,097,948) | ¥2,576,380 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 743 (¥144) | ¥161 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 32,313 (¥6,264) | ¥16,725 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,292 (¥638) | ¥1,370 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 12,653 (¥2,453) | ¥1,955 | + 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,150 (¥7,008) | ¥3,523 | + 99% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,449 (¥669) | ¥2,205 | - 70% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,195 (¥619) | ¥648 | - 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,865 (¥749) | ¥409 | + 83% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,653 (¥321) | ¥143 | + 124% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,537 (¥298) | ¥184 | + 62% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,301 (¥1,415) | ¥3,583 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Costa Rica | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,586 (¥2,634) | ¥4,280 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,187 (¥1,393) | ¥3,593 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,378 (¥2,981) | ¥20,657 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,954 (¥5,807) | ¥6,242 | - 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,396 (¥852) | ¥1,034 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,524 (¥489) | ¥533 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,287 (¥249) | ¥526 | - 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 465,977 (¥90,335) | ¥58,872 | + 53% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 (¥8) | ¥41 | - 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,740 (¥6,929) | ¥11,178 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,406 (¥466) | ¥554 | - 16% | |
| TOTAL | - 35% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.19386
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,644 prices entered by 187 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Japan
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