Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,282 (Mex$ 206) | Mex$ 226 | - 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,004 (Mex$ 132) | Mex$ 122 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,915 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 54 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 842 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 21 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,806 (Mex$ 59) | Mex$ 35 | + 69% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,105 (Mex$ 36) | Mex$ 23 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,638 (Mex$ 87) | Mex$ 71 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,031 (Mex$ 67) | Mex$ 41 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,001 (Mex$ 33) | Mex$ 24 | + 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,075 (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 24 | + 49% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,541 (Mex$ 314) | Mex$ 227 | + 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,555 (Mex$ 51) | Mex$ 30 | + 70% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 737 (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 21 | + 17% | |
| Housing | + 20% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 602,927 (Mex$ 19,812) | Mex$ 19,344 | + 2% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 284,944 (Mex$ 9,363) | Mex$ 8,617 | + 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,153 (Mex$ 1,254) | Mex$ 970 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 466,477 (Mex$ 15,328) | Mex$ 10,248 | + 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 249,878 (Mex$ 8,211) | Mex$ 5,200 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 25,480 (Mex$ 837) | Mex$ 693 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,170 (Mex$ 498) | Mex$ 387 | + 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 207,531 (Mex$ 6,819) | Mex$ 6,700 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,639 (Mex$ 1,861) | Mex$ 2,046 | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,734 (Mex$ 156) | Mex$ 98 | + 59% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,253 (Mex$ 74) | Mex$ 94 | - 21% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 18% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,851 (Mex$ 1,211) | Mex$ 861 | + 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,383 (Mex$ 703) | Mex$ 672 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,541 (Mex$ 1,858) | Mex$ 1,513 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 52,320 (Mex$ 1,719) | Mex$ 1,146 | + 50% | |
| Transportation | + 18% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 18% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,221,000 (Mex$ 434,438) | Mex$ 358,397 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 595 (Mex$ 20) | Mex$ 19 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,205 (Mex$ 697) | Mex$ 553 | + 26% | |
| Personal Care | + 91% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 91% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 5,174 (Mex$ 170) | Mex$ 75 | + 127% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,649 (Mex$ 284) | Mex$ 188 | + 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 46,957 (Mex$ 1,543) | Mex$ 546 | + 183% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,171 (Mex$ 104) | Mex$ 79 | + 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,667 (Mex$ 88) | Mex$ 49 | + 80% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,530 (Mex$ 116) | Mex$ 58 | + 100% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,614 (Mex$ 53) | Mex$ 31 | + 73% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,356 (Mex$ 45) | Mex$ 29 | + 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,513 (Mex$ 247) | Mex$ 188 | + 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 10% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,385 (Mex$ 440) | Mex$ 294 | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,010 (Mex$ 197) | Mex$ 150 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 17,507 (Mex$ 575) | Mex$ 805 | - 28% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,942 (Mex$ 951) | Mex$ 669 | + 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,861 (Mex$ 127) | Mex$ 122 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,152 (Mex$ 71) | Mex$ 71 | - 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,419 (Mex$ 47) | Mex$ 40 | + 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 307,538 (Mex$ 10,106) | Mex$ 11,185 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 53 (Mex$ 1.73) | Mex$ 3.14 | - 45% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 38,069 (Mex$ 1,251) | Mex$ 966 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,341 (Mex$ 77) | Mex$ 62 | + 25% | |
| TOTAL | + 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.03286
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 14,752 prices entered by 1,354 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in Mexico
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