Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 46% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,310 (Mex$ 202) | Mex$ 177 | + 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,078 (Mex$ 155) | Mex$ 110 | + 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,815 (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 54 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 841 (Mex$ 32) | Mex$ 20 | + 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,711 (Mex$ 65) | Mex$ 33 | + 99% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,009 (Mex$ 38) | Mex$ 23 | + 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,436 (Mex$ 93) | Mex$ 68 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,941 (Mex$ 74) | Mex$ 40 | + 87% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,038 (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 23 | + 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 916 (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 22 | + 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,387 (Mex$ 357) | Mex$ 225 | + 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,469 (Mex$ 56) | Mex$ 29 | + 94% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 700 (Mex$ 27) | Mex$ 20 | + 32% | |
| Housing | + 46% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 46% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 669,796 (Mex$ 25,502) | Mex$ 18,680 | + 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 340,846 (Mex$ 12,977) | Mex$ 8,689 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,212 (Mex$ 1,493) | Mex$ 1,243 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 439,628 (Mex$ 16,739) | Mex$ 10,829 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 231,645 (Mex$ 8,820) | Mex$ 5,575 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 28,187 (Mex$ 1,073) | Mex$ 846 | + 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,081 (Mex$ 688) | Mex$ 379 | + 82% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 237,726 (Mex$ 9,051) | Mex$ 7,486 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 78,930 (Mex$ 3,005) | Mex$ 1,948 | + 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,963 (Mex$ 151) | Mex$ 101 | + 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,520 (Mex$ 96) | Mex$ 84 | + 14% | |
| Clothes | + 55% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 55% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,961 (Mex$ 1,445) | Mex$ 844 | + 71% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,292 (Mex$ 925) | Mex$ 615 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,960 (Mex$ 2,245) | Mex$ 1,537 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,727 (Mex$ 1,931) | Mex$ 1,176 | + 64% | |
| Transportation | + 53% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 53% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,277,200 (Mex$ 505,520) | Mex$ 317,978 | + 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 654 (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 20 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,142 (Mex$ 881) | Mex$ 499 | + 77% | |
| Personal Care | + 115% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 115% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,338 (Mex$ 127) | Mex$ 83 | + 52% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,537 (Mex$ 401) | Mex$ 200 | + 100% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,208 (Mex$ 1,455) | Mex$ 530 | + 175% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,864 (Mex$ 109) | Mex$ 70 | + 56% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,053 (Mex$ 116) | Mex$ 48 | + 142% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,508 (Mex$ 134) | Mex$ 56 | + 140% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,596 (Mex$ 61) | Mex$ 29 | + 110% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,550 (Mex$ 59) | Mex$ 30 | + 99% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,385 (Mex$ 243) | Mex$ 187 | + 30% | |
| Entertainment | + 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 43% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,600 (Mex$ 594) | Mex$ 339 | + 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,385 (Mex$ 243) | Mex$ 140 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 22,531 (Mex$ 858) | Mex$ 951 | - 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,056 (Mex$ 1,068) | Mex$ 658 | + 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,282 (Mex$ 163) | Mex$ 114 | + 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,017 (Mex$ 77) | Mex$ 61 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,649 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 40 | + 57% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 306,659 (Mex$ 11,676) | Mex$ 9,553 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (Mex$ 1.72) | Mex$ 1.91 | - 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,907 (Mex$ 1,519) | Mex$ 924 | + 64% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,100 (Mex$ 80) | Mex$ 57 | + 39% | |
| TOTAL | + 52% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.03807
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,041 prices entered by 1,573 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 52% more expensive than in Mexico
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Mexico
- Cost of living in Albania is 10% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 137% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Andorra is 177% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 18% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 140% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Mexico
- Cost of living in Argentina is 17% cheaper than in Mexico