Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
Food | - 48% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Costa Rica is 48% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,274 (CHF 11) | CHF 28 | - 60% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,671 (CHF 8) | CHF 15 | - 48% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,118 (CHF 3.67) | CHF 11 | - 67% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,083 (CHF 1.88) | CHF 1.75 | + 7% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,851 (CHF 3.21) | CHF 8 | - 60% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,215 (CHF 2.11) | CHF 3.86 | - 45% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,952 (CHF 5.12) | CHF 9 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,691 (CHF 2.93) | CHF 3.64 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,164 (CHF 2.02) | CHF 2.47 | - 18% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,083 (CHF 1.88) | CHF 2.59 | - 28% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,101 (CHF 12) | CHF 17 | - 28% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,650 (CHF 2.86) | CHF 3.27 | - 12% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 857 (CHF 1.49) | CHF 2.46 | - 40% | |
Housing | - 66% | |||
Housing in Costa Rica is 66% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 542,164 (CHF 940) | CHF 2,898 | - 68% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 323,059 (CHF 560) | CHF 2,272 | - 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,915 (CHF 73) | CHF 364 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 429,356 (CHF 744) | CHF 1,869 | - 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 242,935 (CHF 421) | CHF 1,326 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 41,769 (CHF 72) | CHF 108 | - 33% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,934 (CHF 28) | CHF 51 | - 46% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 166,800 (CHF 289) | CHF 349 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 72,835 (CHF 126) | CHF 115 | + 10% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,988 (CHF 7) | CHF 15 | - 55% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,652 (CHF 4.60) | CHF 30 | - 85% | |
Clothes | - 37% | |||
Clothes in Costa Rica is 37% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 32,063 (CHF 56) | CHF 98 | - 44% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,057 (CHF 37) | CHF 61 | - 40% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,753 (CHF 104) | CHF 103 | + 0% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,351 (CHF 77) | CHF 135 | - 43% | |
Transportation | - 35% | |||
Transportation in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,345,500 (CHF 26,601) | CHF 31,584 | - 16% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 715 (CHF 1.24) | CHF 1.86 | - 33% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 26,133 (CHF 45) | CHF 78 | - 42% | |
Personal Care | - 51% | |||
Personal Care in Costa Rica is 51% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,238 (CHF 5.61) | CHF 15 | - 62% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,605 (CHF 15) | CHF 10 | + 49% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,369 (CHF 61) | CHF 180 | - 66% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,073 (CHF 9) | CHF 5.72 | + 54% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,224 (CHF 5.59) | CHF 12 | - 54% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,584 (CHF 6) | CHF 11 | - 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,401 (CHF 2.43) | CHF 5.38 | - 55% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 (CHF 3.53) | CHF 5.39 | - 34% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,992 (CHF 19) | CHF 53 | - 64% | |
Entertainment | - 69% | |||
Entertainment in Costa Rica is 69% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 (CHF 29) | CHF 87 | - 67% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 (CHF 12) | CHF 41 | - 71% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,181 (CHF 26) | CHF 169 | - 84% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,867 (CHF 59) | CHF 163 | - 64% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,454 (CHF 9) | CHF 20 | - 54% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,355 (CHF 5.82) | CHF 7 | - 22% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,485 (CHF 2.57) | CHF 8 | - 66% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 (CHF 580) | CHF 519 | + 12% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (CHF 0.07) | CHF 1.00 | - 93% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,277 (CHF 58) | CHF 104 | - 45% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,793 (CHF 4.84) | CHF 9 | - 44% | |
TOTAL | - 55% |
These prices were last updated on November 13, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00173
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,291 prices entered by 225 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 55% cheaper than in Switzerland
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