Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,148 (¥1,090) | ¥981 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,966 (¥703) | ¥697 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,833 (¥325) | ¥420 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 860 (¥152) | ¥205 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,738 (¥308) | ¥247 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,084 (¥192) | ¥643 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,522 (¥447) | ¥982 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,993 (¥353) | ¥751 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 945 (¥168) | ¥375 | - 55% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,047 (¥186) | ¥302 | - 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,609 (¥1,704) | ¥1,416 | + 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,534 (¥272) | ¥178 | + 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 727 (¥129) | ¥231 | - 44% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 58% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 576,198 (¥102,180) | ¥297,377 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 282,668 (¥50,127) | ¥168,741 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,372 (¥6,627) | ¥23,209 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 491,271 (¥87,119) | ¥150,158 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 233,712 (¥41,445) | ¥77,186 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 25,480 (¥4,518) | ¥12,207 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,445 (¥2,739) | ¥4,376 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 199,597 (¥35,395) | ¥54,548 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,172 (¥10,671) | ¥12,350 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,622 (¥820) | ¥866 | - 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,290 (¥406) | ¥2,517 | - 84% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 14% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,583 (¥6,487) | ¥7,319 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,003 (¥3,724) | ¥4,417 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,069 (¥9,588) | ¥8,375 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,240 (¥8,909) | ¥13,139 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (¥2,066,852) | ¥2,627,120 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (¥104) | ¥135 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (¥4,090) | ¥10,436 | - 61% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 6% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (¥883) | ¥1,148 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (¥1,209) | ¥1,229 | - 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (¥7,870) | ¥5,176 | + 52% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (¥538) | ¥803 | - 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (¥425) | ¥611 | - 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (¥610) | ¥617 | - 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (¥283) | ¥174 | + 63% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (¥234) | ¥258 | - 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (¥1,299) | ¥3,479 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (¥2,295) | ¥3,820 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (¥1,051) | ¥3,638 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (¥2,981) | ¥16,372 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (¥5,290) | ¥6,169 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (¥702) | ¥1,131 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (¥391) | ¥435 | - 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (¥251) | ¥550 | - 54% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (¥53,601) | ¥55,862 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (¥8) | ¥53 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (¥6,664) | ¥9,625 | - 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (¥394) | ¥530 | - 26% | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 16, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.17733
JPY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,091 prices entered by 250 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 44% cheaper than in Japan
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