Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,413 (Mex$ 282) | Mex$ 315 | - 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,617 (Mex$ 175) | Mex$ 177 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,037 (Mex$ 77) | Mex$ 74 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,086 (Mex$ 41) | Mex$ 30 | + 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (Mex$ 68) | Mex$ 50 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 33 | + 68% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (Mex$ 125) | Mex$ 91 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,873 (Mex$ 71) | Mex$ 46 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 33 | + 116% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (Mex$ 43) | Mex$ 30 | + 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,896 (Mex$ 376) | Mex$ 261 | + 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (Mex$ 60) | Mex$ 40 | + 50% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 956 (Mex$ 36) | Mex$ 26 | + 38% | |
| Housing | + 15% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 15% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 596,217 (Mex$ 22,651) | Mex$ 24,346 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 369,442 (Mex$ 14,036) | Mex$ 13,133 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (Mex$ 1,574) | Mex$ 1,324 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (Mex$ 17,834) | Mex$ 15,659 | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (Mex$ 10,544) | Mex$ 7,955 | + 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (Mex$ 1,276) | Mex$ 780 | + 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (Mex$ 663) | Mex$ 416 | + 59% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (Mex$ 8,536) | Mex$ 5,859 | + 46% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 (Mex$ 2,910) | Mex$ 2,199 | + 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 (Mex$ 268) | Mex$ 139 | + 93% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (Mex$ 102) | Mex$ 135 | - 24% | |
| Clothes | + 26% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 26% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 (Mex$ 1,195) | Mex$ 964 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (Mex$ 926) | Mex$ 764 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (Mex$ 2,475) | Mex$ 1,691 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 (Mex$ 1,659) | Mex$ 1,425 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | + 19% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 19% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 (Mex$ 614,121) | Mex$ 380,199 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (Mex$ 27) | Mex$ 24 | + 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 18,757 (Mex$ 713) | Mex$ 650 | + 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 71% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 71% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (Mex$ 137) | Mex$ 104 | + 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (Mex$ 326) | Mex$ 269 | + 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (Mex$ 1,711) | Mex$ 666 | + 157% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (Mex$ 213) | Mex$ 90 | + 136% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 (Mex$ 110) | Mex$ 66 | + 65% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 (Mex$ 189) | Mex$ 82 | + 131% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 (Mex$ 65) | Mex$ 40 | + 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 41 | + 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,894 (Mex$ 414) | Mex$ 301 | + 37% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,895 (Mex$ 680) | Mex$ 373 | + 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 (Mex$ 266) | Mex$ 175 | + 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (Mex$ 1,046) | Mex$ 1,081 | - 3% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (Mex$ 1,437) | Mex$ 825 | + 74% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 6,034 (Mex$ 229) | Mex$ 182 | + 26% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (Mex$ 108) | Mex$ 96 | + 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (Mex$ 53) | Mex$ 58 | - 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 322,458 (Mex$ 12,251) | Mex$ 10,806 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (Mex$ 1.44) | Mex$ 3.38 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (Mex$ 1,339) | Mex$ 901 | + 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 (Mex$ 98) | Mex$ 82 | + 19% | |
| TOTAL | + 23% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.03799
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,739 prices entered by 645 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than in Mexico
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Mexico
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 20% cheaper than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 58% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Argentina is 20% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Angola is 18% cheaper than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Mexico
- Cost of living in Albania is 5% cheaper than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Andorra is 72% more expensive than in Mexico