Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 59% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 59% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,587 (CHF 8) | CHF 26 | - 69% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,882 (CHF 5.62) | CHF 14 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,799 (CHF 2.60) | CHF 12 | - 79% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 831 (CHF 1.20) | CHF 1.54 | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,621 (CHF 2.35) | CHF 7 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,029 (CHF 1.49) | CHF 3.60 | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,797 (CHF 4.05) | CHF 11 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,036 (CHF 2.95) | CHF 3.84 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 935 (CHF 1.35) | CHF 2.35 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,029 (CHF 1.49) | CHF 1.96 | - 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,493 (CHF 15) | CHF 15 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,499 (CHF 2.17) | CHF 2.40 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 695 (CHF 1.01) | CHF 2.60 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 68% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 68% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 554,702 (CHF 803) | CHF 2,790 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 270,901 (CHF 392) | CHF 2,135 | - 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,353 (CHF 57) | CHF 157 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 433,078 (CHF 627) | CHF 1,589 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 221,306 (CHF 320) | CHF 1,203 | - 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 22,855 (CHF 33) | CHF 89 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,049 (CHF 22) | CHF 41 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 188,597 (CHF 273) | CHF 465 | - 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,270 (CHF 86) | CHF 120 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,330 (CHF 6) | CHF 17 | - 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,643 (CHF 3.83) | CHF 29 | - 87% | |
| Clothes | - 50% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 35,961 (CHF 52) | CHF 110 | - 53% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 20,938 (CHF 30) | CHF 59 | - 48% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 53,266 (CHF 77) | CHF 127 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 49,097 (CHF 71) | CHF 176 | - 60% | |
| Transportation | - 52% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 52% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,278,500 (CHF 16,326) | CHF 27,830 | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 593 (CHF 0.86) | CHF 1.48 | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,831 (CHF 32) | CHF 83 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 52% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,766 (CHF 4.00) | CHF 17 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,438 (CHF 12) | CHF 54 | - 77% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,132 (CHF 65) | CHF 92 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,971 (CHF 4.30) | CHF 5.70 | - 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,472 (CHF 3.58) | CHF 4.51 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,499 (CHF 5.07) | CHF 5.58 | - 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,501 (CHF 2.17) | CHF 3.46 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,288 (CHF 1.86) | CHF 4.46 | - 58% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,373 (CHF 11) | CHF 37 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 62% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 62% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,962 (CHF 19) | CHF 76 | - 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,109 (CHF 9) | CHF 35 | - 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 19,743 (CHF 29) | CHF 222 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,314 (CHF 42) | CHF 109 | - 61% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,366 (CHF 6) | CHF 16 | - 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,276 (CHF 3.29) | CHF 5.09 | - 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,457 (CHF 2.11) | CHF 7 | - 71% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 313,969 (CHF 454) | CHF 455 | - 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 47 (CHF 0.07) | CHF 0.37 | - 82% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 39,656 (CHF 57) | CHF 102 | - 44% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,109 (CHF 3.05) | CHF 9 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 61% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 26, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00145
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,645 prices entered by 308 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 61% cheaper than in Switzerland
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