Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 44% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,711 (CHF 11) | CHF 27 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,580 (CHF 8) | CHF 16 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,453 (CHF 4.16) | CHF 12 | - 65% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 992 (CHF 1.68) | CHF 1.76 | - 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,216 (CHF 3.76) | CHF 8 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,227 (CHF 2.08) | CHF 4.33 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,567 (CHF 4.35) | CHF 11 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,112 (CHF 3.58) | CHF 4.07 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,432 (CHF 2.43) | CHF 2.50 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 945 (CHF 1.60) | CHF 2.01 | - 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 11,346 (CHF 19) | CHF 14 | + 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,606 (CHF 2.72) | CHF 2.75 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 928 (CHF 1.57) | CHF 2.68 | - 41% | |
| Housing | - 67% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 67% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 572,782 (CHF 971) | CHF 3,114 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 306,580 (CHF 520) | CHF 2,293 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 28,067 (CHF 48) | CHF 231 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 389,387 (CHF 660) | CHF 1,883 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 241,078 (CHF 409) | CHF 1,260 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 20,040 (CHF 34) | CHF 125 | - 73% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 16,566 (CHF 28) | CHF 53 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 219,739 (CHF 373) | CHF 472 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 64,053 (CHF 109) | CHF 110 | - 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,676 (CHF 8) | CHF 20 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,380 (CHF 4.04) | CHF 31 | - 87% | |
| Clothes | - 25% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 44,695 (CHF 76) | CHF 108 | - 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,421 (CHF 41) | CHF 46 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,734 (CHF 93) | CHF 122 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 37,613 (CHF 64) | CHF 160 | - 60% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 36% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,068,800 (CHF 25,555) | CHF 33,822 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 778 (CHF 1.32) | CHF 1.86 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,124 (CHF 43) | CHF 77 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | - 42% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,367 (CHF 5.71) | CHF 13 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,814 (CHF 18) | CHF 26 | - 30% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,912 (CHF 63) | CHF 176 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,538 (CHF 4.30) | CHF 5.94 | - 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,787 (CHF 4.73) | CHF 4.44 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,472 (CHF 5.89) | CHF 5.24 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,578 (CHF 2.68) | CHF 3.09 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,482 (CHF 2.51) | CHF 3.57 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 5,876 (CHF 10) | CHF 53 | - 81% | |
| Entertainment | - 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 59% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 11,648 (CHF 20) | CHF 83 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,007 (CHF 12) | CHF 36 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,222 (CHF 22) | CHF 125 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 25,393 (CHF 43) | CHF 114 | - 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,285 (CHF 7) | CHF 19 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,666 (CHF 4.52) | CHF 4.99 | - 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,382 (CHF 2.34) | CHF 7 | - 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 332,838 (CHF 564) | CHF 702 | - 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 51 (CHF 0.09) | CHF 0.33 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,853 (CHF 56) | CHF 89 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,705 (CHF 4.59) | CHF 9 | - 51% | |
| TOTAL | - 52% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00170
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,423 prices entered by 208 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 52% cheaper than in Switzerland
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