- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- Switzerland
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 55% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,876 (CHF 8) | CHF 25 | - 68% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,636 (CHF 6) | CHF 14 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,459 (CHF 4.13) | CHF 14 | - 70% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 816 (CHF 1.37) | CHF 1.71 | - 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,648 (CHF 2.77) | CHF 8 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,093 (CHF 1.84) | CHF 4.02 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,053 (CHF 5.13) | CHF 12 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,967 (CHF 3.31) | CHF 3.86 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 908 (CHF 1.53) | CHF 3.00 | - 49% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 842 (CHF 1.41) | CHF 2.43 | - 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,940 (CHF 13) | CHF 16 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,636 (CHF 2.75) | CHF 2.52 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 695 (CHF 1.17) | CHF 2.37 | - 51% | |
| Housing | - 55% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 55% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 636,056 (CHF 1,069) | CHF 2,925 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 385,429 (CHF 648) | CHF 2,304 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 98,502 (CHF 166) | CHF 185 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 467,877 (CHF 786) | CHF 1,923 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 337,578 (CHF 567) | CHF 1,399 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 (CHF 236) | CHF 154 | + 53% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,526 (CHF 36) | CHF 45 | - 20% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 282,228 (CHF 474) | CHF 558 | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 68,986 (CHF 116) | CHF 169 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,630 (CHF 8) | CHF 18 | - 56% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,628 (CHF 4.42) | CHF 29 | - 85% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 6% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,927 (CHF 69) | CHF 115 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 40,653 (CHF 68) | CHF 51 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,771 (CHF 95) | CHF 132 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,106 (CHF 66) | CHF 187 | - 65% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,635,700 (CHF 24,594) | CHF 27,608 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 652 (CHF 1.10) | CHF 1.88 | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 26,100 (CHF 44) | CHF 88 | - 50% | |
| Personal Care | - 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 21% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,037 (CHF 5.10) | CHF 15 | - 66% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 21,724 (CHF 37) | CHF 31 | + 17% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 42,612 (CHF 72) | CHF 122 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,511 (CHF 5.90) | CHF 6 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,593 (CHF 6) | CHF 4.72 | + 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,213 (CHF 5.40) | CHF 4.62 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,299 (CHF 3.86) | CHF 3.27 | + 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,574 (CHF 2.65) | CHF 3.47 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,332 (CHF 12) | CHF 45 | - 72% | |
| Entertainment | - 55% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 55% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,685 (CHF 26) | CHF 71 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,217 (CHF 10) | CHF 38 | - 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 32,945 (CHF 55) | CHF 132 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 27,811 (CHF 47) | CHF 110 | - 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,490 (CHF 5.86) | CHF 17 | - 66% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,970 (CHF 3.31) | CHF 5.27 | - 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,300 (CHF 2.18) | CHF 7 | - 69% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 376,038 (CHF 632) | CHF 518 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 34 (CHF 0.06) | CHF 0.34 | - 83% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,992 (CHF 55) | CHF 94 | - 41% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,882 (CHF 3.16) | CHF 8 | - 62% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 21, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00168
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,166 prices entered by 435 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 48% cheaper than in Switzerland
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