- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Switzerland
- Comparison
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 | ₡ 5,585 (CHF 10) | CHF 26 | - 62% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,814 (CHF 7) | CHF 14 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,212 (CHF 3.85) | CHF 13 | - 71% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 836 (CHF 1.45) | CHF 1.82 | - 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,754 (CHF 3.05) | CHF 7 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,417 (CHF 2.46) | CHF 4.54 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,321 (CHF 5.77) | CHF 12 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,982 (CHF 3.45) | CHF 3.81 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 988 (CHF 1.72) | CHF 2.87 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 773 (CHF 1.34) | CHF 2.54 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,813 (CHF 14) | CHF 16 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,487 (CHF 2.58) | CHF 2.58 | + 0% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 660 (CHF 1.15) | CHF 2.44 | - 53% | |
| Housing | - 47% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 47% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 722,797 (CHF 1,256) | CHF 2,933 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 343,838 (CHF 598) | CHF 2,366 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 111,470 (CHF 194) | CHF 168 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 705,949 (CHF 1,227) | CHF 1,863 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 429,838 (CHF 747) | CHF 1,532 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (CHF 244) | CHF 127 | + 92% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 23,289 (CHF 40) | CHF 46 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 271,932 (CHF 473) | CHF 585 | - 19% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,778 (CHF 95) | CHF 174 | - 45% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,681 (CHF 6) | CHF 18 | - 64% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,035 (CHF 3.54) | CHF 29 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 14% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,225 (CHF 68) | CHF 114 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 34,402 (CHF 60) | CHF 55 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,892 (CHF 101) | CHF 123 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,241 (CHF 87) | CHF 184 | - 52% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,057,900 (CHF 22,697) | CHF 26,201 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 655 (CHF 1.14) | CHF 1.72 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,102 (CHF 37) | CHF 89 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | - 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 2,357 (CHF 4.10) | CHF 10 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 26,718 (CHF 46) | CHF 32 | + 46% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,402 (CHF 62) | CHF 118 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,545 (CHF 6) | CHF 7 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,124 (CHF 3.69) | CHF 5.03 | - 27% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,160 (CHF 5.49) | CHF 5.18 | + 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,242 (CHF 3.90) | CHF 3.33 | + 17% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,345 (CHF 2.34) | CHF 3.60 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,446 (CHF 11) | CHF 43 | - 74% | |
| Entertainment | - 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,242 (CHF 28) | CHF 73 | - 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,019 (CHF 12) | CHF 37 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 22,276 (CHF 39) | CHF 151 | - 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 30,701 (CHF 53) | CHF 115 | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,631 (CHF 6) | CHF 17 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,852 (CHF 3.22) | CHF 5.30 | - 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,617 (CHF 2.81) | CHF 7 | - 60% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 360,260 (CHF 626) | CHF 537 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 670 (CHF 1.16) | CHF 0.34 | + 245% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,776 (CHF 57) | CHF 96 | - 41% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,727 (CHF 3.00) | CHF 8 | - 64% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 20, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00174
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,257 prices entered by 473 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 40% cheaper than in Switzerland
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