- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | + 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 41% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,876 (Mex$ 164) | Mex$ 119 | + 37% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,622 (Mex$ 122) | Mex$ 94 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,497 (Mex$ 84) | Mex$ 66 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 799 (Mex$ 27) | Mex$ 19 | + 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,643 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 31 | + 81% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,056 (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 20 | + 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,987 (Mex$ 100) | Mex$ 62 | + 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,972 (Mex$ 66) | Mex$ 38 | + 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 907 (Mex$ 30) | Mex$ 24 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 839 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 21 | + 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,871 (Mex$ 264) | Mex$ 223 | + 19% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,636 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 25 | + 117% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 656 (Mex$ 22) | Mex$ 20 | + 11% | |
| Housing | + 48% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 48% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 653,744 (Mex$ 21,948) | Mex$ 19,574 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 395,411 (Mex$ 13,275) | Mex$ 10,195 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 112,659 (Mex$ 3,782) | Mex$ 1,590 | + 138% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 473,318 (Mex$ 15,891) | Mex$ 11,938 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 337,578 (Mex$ 11,334) | Mex$ 6,753 | + 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (Mex$ 4,713) | Mex$ 1,354 | + 248% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,830 (Mex$ 699) | Mex$ 381 | + 83% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 282,228 (Mex$ 9,475) | Mex$ 8,039 | + 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 68,986 (Mex$ 2,316) | Mex$ 2,000 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,331 (Mex$ 145) | Mex$ 105 | + 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,460 (Mex$ 83) | Mex$ 87 | - 5% | |
| Clothes | + 72% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 72% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,927 (Mex$ 1,374) | Mex$ 811 | + 70% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 38,820 (Mex$ 1,303) | Mex$ 667 | + 95% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,148 (Mex$ 1,818) | Mex$ 1,489 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 40,855 (Mex$ 1,372) | Mex$ 1,283 | + 7% | |
| Transportation | + 60% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 60% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,622,500 (Mex$ 490,922) | Mex$ 313,588 | + 57% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 649 (Mex$ 22) | Mex$ 19 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 27,199 (Mex$ 913) | Mex$ 464 | + 97% | |
| Personal Care | + 145% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 145% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,037 (Mex$ 102) | Mex$ 75 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 21,724 (Mex$ 729) | Mex$ 189 | + 285% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 40,917 (Mex$ 1,374) | Mex$ 548 | + 151% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,511 (Mex$ 118) | Mex$ 70 | + 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,347 (Mex$ 112) | Mex$ 48 | + 132% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,065 (Mex$ 103) | Mex$ 54 | + 91% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,147 (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 27 | + 162% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,654 (Mex$ 56) | Mex$ 30 | + 88% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,332 (Mex$ 246) | Mex$ 124 | + 98% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,193 (Mex$ 577) | Mex$ 378 | + 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,373 (Mex$ 214) | Mex$ 136 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 32,945 (Mex$ 1,106) | Mex$ 1,204 | - 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,727 (Mex$ 964) | Mex$ 742 | + 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,318 (Mex$ 111) | Mex$ 103 | + 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,047 (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 54 | + 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,359 (Mex$ 46) | Mex$ 44 | + 4% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 376,038 (Mex$ 12,625) | Mex$ 10,278 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 34 (Mex$ 1.15) | Mex$ 2.28 | - 49% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,117 (Mex$ 1,078) | Mex$ 724 | + 49% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,882 (Mex$ 63) | Mex$ 52 | + 21% | |
| TOTAL | + 50% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 11, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.03357
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 11,033 prices entered by 1,254 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 50% more expensive than in Mexico
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