Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 52% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 52% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,356 (CHF 9) | CHF 25 | - 64% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,077 (CHF 7) | CHF 14 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,869 (CHF 3.21) | CHF 12 | - 74% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 848 (CHF 1.46) | CHF 1.60 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,716 (CHF 2.94) | CHF 8 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,003 (CHF 1.72) | CHF 4.48 | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,390 (CHF 4.10) | CHF 11 | - 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,020 (CHF 3.46) | CHF 4.18 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,055 (CHF 1.81) | CHF 2.64 | - 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 893 (CHF 1.53) | CHF 1.97 | - 22% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,917 (CHF 15) | CHF 16 | - 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,424 (CHF 2.44) | CHF 2.90 | - 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 702 (CHF 1.20) | CHF 2.35 | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 59% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 59% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 685,616 (CHF 1,176) | CHF 2,833 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 360,596 (CHF 619) | CHF 2,110 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 40,435 (CHF 69) | CHF 214 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 428,397 (CHF 735) | CHF 1,618 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 237,962 (CHF 408) | CHF 1,199 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 31,779 (CHF 55) | CHF 132 | - 59% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,211 (CHF 31) | CHF 39 | - 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 244,885 (CHF 420) | CHF 680 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 78,408 (CHF 134) | CHF 121 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,254 (CHF 7) | CHF 18 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,499 (CHF 4.29) | CHF 31 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,846 (CHF 65) | CHF 108 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 25,973 (CHF 45) | CHF 59 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,076 (CHF 101) | CHF 127 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,637 (CHF 87) | CHF 190 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,957,600 (CHF 23,941) | CHF 25,335 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 660 (CHF 1.13) | CHF 1.62 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,538 (CHF 40) | CHF 71 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,098 (CHF 5.31) | CHF 18 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,612 (CHF 18) | CHF 45 | - 60% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,178 (CHF 62) | CHF 113 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,349 (CHF 5.74) | CHF 6 | - 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,294 (CHF 5.65) | CHF 4.41 | + 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,834 (CHF 7) | CHF 4.30 | + 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,768 (CHF 3.03) | CHF 3.84 | - 21% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,827 (CHF 3.13) | CHF 3.41 | - 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,433 (CHF 11) | CHF 35 | - 68% | |
| Entertainment | - 53% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 53% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,062 (CHF 28) | CHF 69 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,416 (CHF 11) | CHF 36 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 24,417 (CHF 42) | CHF 129 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 27,362 (CHF 47) | CHF 116 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,038 (CHF 7) | CHF 17 | - 59% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,955 (CHF 3.35) | CHF 4.92 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,728 (CHF 2.96) | CHF 7 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 329,611 (CHF 565) | CHF 530 | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 44 (CHF 0.08) | CHF 0.37 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,210 (CHF 67) | CHF 100 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,227 (CHF 3.82) | CHF 8 | - 55% | |
| TOTAL | - 49% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00172
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,838 prices entered by 394 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 49% cheaper than in Switzerland
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