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- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 32% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,402 (Mex$ 139) | Mex$ 123 | + 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,597 (Mex$ 114) | Mex$ 98 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,403 (Mex$ 76) | Mex$ 68 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 790 (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 19 | + 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,692 (Mex$ 54) | Mex$ 31 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,065 (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 22 | + 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,949 (Mex$ 93) | Mex$ 64 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,000 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 39 | + 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 947 (Mex$ 30) | Mex$ 25 | + 22% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 907 (Mex$ 29) | Mex$ 22 | + 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,583 (Mex$ 240) | Mex$ 212 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,749 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 25 | + 118% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 745 (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 18 | + 30% | |
| Housing | + 28% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 28% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 729,963 (Mex$ 23,088) | Mex$ 19,675 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 367,004 (Mex$ 11,608) | Mex$ 9,732 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 83,399 (Mex$ 2,638) | Mex$ 2,160 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 489,531 (Mex$ 15,484) | Mex$ 11,961 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 333,038 (Mex$ 10,534) | Mex$ 6,650 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 45,057 (Mex$ 1,425) | Mex$ 1,323 | + 8% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,090 (Mex$ 667) | Mex$ 379 | + 76% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 273,449 (Mex$ 8,649) | Mex$ 8,416 | + 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 78,593 (Mex$ 2,486) | Mex$ 2,192 | + 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,151 (Mex$ 131) | Mex$ 112 | + 17% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,593 (Mex$ 82) | Mex$ 90 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 42% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,358 (Mex$ 1,182) | Mex$ 868 | + 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 35,151 (Mex$ 1,112) | Mex$ 716 | + 55% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,875 (Mex$ 1,925) | Mex$ 1,589 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,166 (Mex$ 1,397) | Mex$ 1,388 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | + 57% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 57% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,198,900 (Mex$ 512,363) | Mex$ 321,531 | + 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 662 (Mex$ 21) | Mex$ 20 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 28,626 (Mex$ 905) | Mex$ 471 | + 92% | |
| Personal Care | + 136% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 136% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,933 (Mex$ 124) | Mex$ 79 | + 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 23,974 (Mex$ 758) | Mex$ 196 | + 286% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 42,268 (Mex$ 1,337) | Mex$ 565 | + 137% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,978 (Mex$ 126) | Mex$ 80 | + 58% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,759 (Mex$ 119) | Mex$ 50 | + 136% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,769 (Mex$ 119) | Mex$ 61 | + 96% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,132 (Mex$ 67) | Mex$ 29 | + 136% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,673 (Mex$ 53) | Mex$ 31 | + 72% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,348 (Mex$ 201) | Mex$ 131 | + 54% | |
| Entertainment | + 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 12% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 19,416 (Mex$ 614) | Mex$ 424 | + 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,655 (Mex$ 210) | Mex$ 141 | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 34,956 (Mex$ 1,106) | Mex$ 1,145 | - 3% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,732 (Mex$ 940) | Mex$ 780 | + 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,291 (Mex$ 136) | Mex$ 114 | + 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,141 (Mex$ 68) | Mex$ 56 | + 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,523 (Mex$ 48) | Mex$ 47 | + 3% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 311,052 (Mex$ 9,838) | Mex$ 10,457 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 36 (Mex$ 1.15) | Mex$ 1.57 | - 26% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 29,780 (Mex$ 942) | Mex$ 878 | + 7% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,100 (Mex$ 66) | Mex$ 54 | + 24% | |
| TOTAL | + 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 22, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.03163
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,496 prices entered by 1,112 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 39% more expensive than in Mexico
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