Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to South Africa
Currency:
| Food | + 90% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 90% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,643 (R 250) | R 126 | + 98% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,633 (R 174) | R 84 | + 106% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,563 (R 96) | R 56 | + 73% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,095 (R 41) | R 19 | + 111% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,089 (R 79) | R 51 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,272 (R 48) | R 29 | + 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,451 (R 130) | R 90 | + 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,694 (R 64) | R 31 | + 106% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,325 (R 50) | R 26 | + 93% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,102 (R 41) | R 27 | + 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,100 (R 304) | R 144 | + 111% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,623 (R 61) | R 27 | + 127% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 860 (R 32) | R 14 | + 127% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 12% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 553,149 (R 20,786) | R 14,971 | + 39% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 323,133 (R 12,143) | R 10,971 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 43,944 (R 1,651) | R 2,134 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 461,548 (R 17,344) | R 14,448 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 256,808 (R 9,650) | R 10,086 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,666 (R 1,265) | R 2,095 | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,163 (R 645) | R 602 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 211,652 (R 7,953) | R 6,447 | + 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 77,378 (R 2,908) | R 1,670 | + 74% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,552 (R 171) | R 135 | + 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,710 (R 102) | R 131 | - 22% | |
| Clothes | + 36% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 36% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,440 (R 1,444) | R 845 | + 71% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,328 (R 801) | R 620 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,028 (R 2,256) | R 1,817 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 49,403 (R 1,856) | R 1,593 | + 17% | |
| Transportation | + 22% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 22% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,110,400 (R 567,813) | R 396,258 | + 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 707 (R 27) | R 23 | + 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,365 (R 953) | R 791 | + 21% | |
| Personal Care | + 160% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 160% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,537 (R 133) | R 48 | + 175% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (R 323) | R 173 | + 87% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 37,178 (R 1,397) | R 543 | + 158% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (R 210) | R 57 | + 266% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,618 (R 136) | R 39 | + 252% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,117 (R 155) | R 68 | + 129% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,762 (R 66) | R 33 | + 100% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,245 (R 84) | R 31 | + 172% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 11,635 (R 437) | R 113 | + 288% | |
| Entertainment | + 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 41% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Africa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,139 (R 682) | R 430 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,361 (R 277) | R 226 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 25,081 (R 942) | R 1,154 | - 18% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 36,290 (R 1,364) | R 654 | + 109% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,335 (R 200) | R 95 | + 112% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,395 (R 128) | R 38 | + 233% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,398 (R 53) | R 41 | + 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 339,726 (R 12,766) | R 11,899 | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (R 1.42) | R 3.04 | - 53% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 38,789 (R 1,458) | R 541 | + 170% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,306 (R 87) | R 55 | + 57% | |
| TOTAL | + 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.03758
ZAR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,395 prices entered by 170 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 41% more expensive than in South Africa
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