- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Switzerland
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 53% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,426 (CHF 9) | CHF 25 | - 62% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,705 (CHF 6) | CHF 14 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,445 (CHF 4.27) | CHF 14 | - 69% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 816 (CHF 1.43) | CHF 1.71 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,516 (CHF 2.65) | CHF 8 | - 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,131 (CHF 1.98) | CHF 4.52 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,780 (CHF 4.86) | CHF 12 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,116 (CHF 3.70) | CHF 3.80 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 974 (CHF 1.70) | CHF 2.92 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 802 (CHF 1.40) | CHF 2.45 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,763 (CHF 14) | CHF 16 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,567 (CHF 2.74) | CHF 2.50 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 669 (CHF 1.17) | CHF 2.42 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 607,295 (CHF 1,061) | CHF 2,886 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 357,071 (CHF 624) | CHF 2,384 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 111,470 (CHF 195) | CHF 178 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 404,163 (CHF 706) | CHF 1,899 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 401,953 (CHF 702) | CHF 1,490 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (CHF 245) | CHF 137 | + 79% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 22,149 (CHF 39) | CHF 46 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 280,432 (CHF 490) | CHF 554 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 62,868 (CHF 110) | CHF 186 | - 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,681 (CHF 6) | CHF 18 | - 64% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,035 (CHF 3.55) | CHF 29 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 10% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,616 (CHF 69) | CHF 116 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 34,402 (CHF 60) | CHF 52 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,267 (CHF 102) | CHF 132 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 58,707 (CHF 103) | CHF 181 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 44% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 44% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,057,900 (CHF 22,807) | CHF 28,020 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 662 (CHF 1.16) | CHF 1.83 | - 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,102 (CHF 37) | CHF 87 | - 57% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,357 (CHF 4.12) | CHF 13 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 26,718 (CHF 47) | CHF 34 | + 36% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 40,372 (CHF 71) | CHF 124 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,545 (CHF 6) | CHF 7 | - 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,124 (CHF 3.71) | CHF 4.67 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,088 (CHF 5.39) | CHF 4.28 | + 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,242 (CHF 3.92) | CHF 2.97 | + 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,345 (CHF 2.35) | CHF 3.33 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 9,934 (CHF 17) | CHF 46 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,963 (CHF 28) | CHF 70 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,585 (CHF 12) | CHF 37 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 22,276 (CHF 39) | CHF 124 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,784 (CHF 54) | CHF 112 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,742 (CHF 7) | CHF 17 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,852 (CHF 3.24) | CHF 5.27 | - 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,430 (CHF 2.50) | CHF 7 | - 65% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 382,014 (CHF 667) | CHF 532 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 146 (CHF 0.26) | CHF 0.38 | - 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 30,511 (CHF 53) | CHF 91 | - 42% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,727 (CHF 3.02) | CHF 8 | - 64% | |
| TOTAL | - 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 14, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00175
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,766 prices entered by 445 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Switzerland
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