Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 12% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,580 (Mex$ 246) | Mex$ 266 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,678 (Mex$ 152) | Mex$ 147 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,431 (Mex$ 79) | Mex$ 68 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 986 (Mex$ 32) | Mex$ 26 | + 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,161 (Mex$ 70) | Mex$ 45 | + 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,206 (Mex$ 39) | Mex$ 26 | + 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,002 (Mex$ 97) | Mex$ 86 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,980 (Mex$ 64) | Mex$ 48 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,246 (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 32 | + 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 898 (Mex$ 29) | Mex$ 28 | + 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,246 (Mex$ 267) | Mex$ 258 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,614 (Mex$ 52) | Mex$ 34 | + 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 883 (Mex$ 29) | Mex$ 24 | + 17% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 4% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 587,935 (Mex$ 19,051) | Mex$ 20,168 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 319,371 (Mex$ 10,349) | Mex$ 10,264 | + 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 33,405 (Mex$ 1,082) | Mex$ 1,041 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 410,086 (Mex$ 13,288) | Mex$ 12,625 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 245,106 (Mex$ 7,942) | Mex$ 6,783 | + 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 26,184 (Mex$ 848) | Mex$ 721 | + 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,583 (Mex$ 505) | Mex$ 399 | + 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 248,490 (Mex$ 8,052) | Mex$ 6,607 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 66,647 (Mex$ 2,160) | Mex$ 2,555 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,570 (Mex$ 180) | Mex$ 115 | + 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,566 (Mex$ 83) | Mex$ 126 | - 34% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 7% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,120 (Mex$ 1,268) | Mex$ 967 | + 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,318 (Mex$ 723) | Mex$ 718 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,164 (Mex$ 1,852) | Mex$ 1,709 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (Mex$ 1,196) | Mex$ 1,262 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | + 48% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 48% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,942,700 (Mex$ 549,007) | Mex$ 384,066 | + 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 871 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 23 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 29,044 (Mex$ 941) | Mex$ 559 | + 68% | |
| Personal Care | + 59% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 59% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (Mex$ 125) | Mex$ 91 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (Mex$ 358) | Mex$ 205 | + 75% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,334 (Mex$ 1,113) | Mex$ 592 | + 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (Mex$ 98) | Mex$ 74 | + 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (Mex$ 96) | Mex$ 60 | + 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (Mex$ 117) | Mex$ 69 | + 70% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 39 | + 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,583 (Mex$ 51) | Mex$ 35 | + 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,277 (Mex$ 268) | Mex$ 239 | + 12% | |
| Entertainment | + 13% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 13% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Costa Rica | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,544 (Mex$ 406) | Mex$ 358 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,794 (Mex$ 220) | Mex$ 155 | + 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,000 (Mex$ 518) | Mex$ 723 | - 28% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,121 (Mex$ 1,008) | Mex$ 766 | + 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,318 (Mex$ 172) | Mex$ 163 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,953 (Mex$ 96) | Mex$ 79 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,378 (Mex$ 45) | Mex$ 45 | - 1% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 435,667 (Mex$ 14,117) | Mex$ 10,723 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (Mex$ 1.45) | Mex$ 2.23 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,285 (Mex$ 1,046) | Mex$ 888 | + 18% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,530 (Mex$ 82) | Mex$ 78 | + 5% | |
| TOTAL | + 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.03240
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,472 prices entered by 1,030 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in Mexico
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