Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 6% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,005 (Mex$ 208) | Mex$ 243 | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,282 (Mex$ 127) | Mex$ 139 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,276 (Mex$ 68) | Mex$ 64 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 821 (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 23 | + 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,625 (Mex$ 48) | Mex$ 37 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 951 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 25 | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,306 (Mex$ 98) | Mex$ 79 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,101 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 47 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,166 (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 27 | + 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 857 (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 25 | + 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,955 (Mex$ 266) | Mex$ 263 | + 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,683 (Mex$ 50) | Mex$ 33 | + 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 789 (Mex$ 23) | Mex$ 21 | + 10% | |
| Housing | + 5% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 5% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 508,530 (Mex$ 15,130) | Mex$ 18,987 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 307,245 (Mex$ 9,141) | Mex$ 9,486 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 55,735 (Mex$ 1,658) | Mex$ 1,099 | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,257 (Mex$ 11,968) | Mex$ 11,669 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 257,301 (Mex$ 7,655) | Mex$ 6,034 | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 37,529 (Mex$ 1,117) | Mex$ 850 | + 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,592 (Mex$ 613) | Mex$ 404 | + 52% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 179,795 (Mex$ 5,349) | Mex$ 7,503 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 69,311 (Mex$ 2,062) | Mex$ 2,437 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,382 (Mex$ 160) | Mex$ 116 | + 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,940 (Mex$ 87) | Mex$ 109 | - 20% | |
| Clothes | + 24% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 24% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,876 (Mex$ 1,097) | Mex$ 917 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 27,404 (Mex$ 815) | Mex$ 652 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 63,383 (Mex$ 1,886) | Mex$ 1,593 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 56,836 (Mex$ 1,691) | Mex$ 1,242 | + 36% | |
| Transportation | + 52% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 52% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,980,200 (Mex$ 475,443) | Mex$ 330,877 | + 44% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 763 (Mex$ 23) | Mex$ 21 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 32,313 (Mex$ 961) | Mex$ 518 | + 86% | |
| Personal Care | + 66% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 66% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,292 (Mex$ 98) | Mex$ 84 | + 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 12,653 (Mex$ 376) | Mex$ 199 | + 89% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,150 (Mex$ 1,076) | Mex$ 590 | + 82% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,449 (Mex$ 103) | Mex$ 76 | + 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,195 (Mex$ 95) | Mex$ 55 | + 73% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,865 (Mex$ 115) | Mex$ 58 | + 98% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,653 (Mex$ 49) | Mex$ 30 | + 64% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,537 (Mex$ 46) | Mex$ 32 | + 43% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,301 (Mex$ 217) | Mex$ 231 | - 6% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 5% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,586 (Mex$ 404) | Mex$ 318 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,187 (Mex$ 214) | Mex$ 156 | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,378 (Mex$ 458) | Mex$ 742 | - 38% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,954 (Mex$ 891) | Mex$ 741 | + 20% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,396 (Mex$ 131) | Mex$ 149 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,524 (Mex$ 75) | Mex$ 82 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,287 (Mex$ 38) | Mex$ 42 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 465,977 (Mex$ 13,864) | Mex$ 12,133 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 (Mex$ 1.27) | Mex$ 2.74 | - 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,740 (Mex$ 1,063) | Mex$ 909 | + 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,406 (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 67 | + 8% | |
| TOTAL | + 20% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.02975
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,403 prices entered by 1,189 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in Mexico
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