Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,005 (CHF 10) | CHF 26 | - 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,388 (CHF 6) | CHF 15 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,276 (CHF 3.30) | CHF 10 | - 68% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 842 (CHF 1.22) | CHF 1.58 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,629 (CHF 2.36) | CHF 7 | - 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 986 (CHF 1.43) | CHF 3.04 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,306 (CHF 4.80) | CHF 10 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,101 (CHF 3.05) | CHF 3.42 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,166 (CHF 1.69) | CHF 2.08 | - 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 857 (CHF 1.24) | CHF 1.93 | - 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,955 (CHF 13) | CHF 15 | - 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,683 (CHF 2.44) | CHF 3.06 | - 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 789 (CHF 1.15) | CHF 2.73 | - 58% | |
| Housing | - 71% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 71% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 508,530 (CHF 738) | CHF 3,644 | - 80% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 307,245 (CHF 446) | CHF 2,553 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 55,735 (CHF 81) | CHF 115 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,257 (CHF 584) | CHF 2,074 | - 72% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 257,301 (CHF 373) | CHF 1,643 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 37,529 (CHF 54) | CHF 44 | + 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,592 (CHF 30) | CHF 51 | - 42% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 183,169 (CHF 266) | CHF 474 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 69,311 (CHF 101) | CHF 143 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,382 (CHF 8) | CHF 7 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,940 (CHF 4.27) | CHF 31 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 42% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,876 (CHF 54) | CHF 115 | - 53% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 27,404 (CHF 40) | CHF 61 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 63,383 (CHF 92) | CHF 117 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 56,836 (CHF 82) | CHF 202 | - 59% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,980,200 (CHF 23,190) | CHF 28,452 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 763 (CHF 1.11) | CHF 1.81 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 34,083 (CHF 49) | CHF 77 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | - 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,292 (CHF 4.78) | CHF 15 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 12,653 (CHF 18) | CHF 17 | + 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,150 (CHF 52) | CHF 100 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,449 (CHF 5.00) | CHF 5.20 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,195 (CHF 4.64) | CHF 3.88 | + 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,865 (CHF 5.61) | CHF 3.66 | + 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,653 (CHF 2.40) | CHF 2.28 | + 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,537 (CHF 2.23) | CHF 2.73 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,301 (CHF 11) | CHF 48 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,586 (CHF 20) | CHF 53 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,187 (CHF 10) | CHF 36 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,378 (CHF 22) | CHF 95 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,954 (CHF 43) | CHF 108 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,396 (CHF 6) | CHF 16 | - 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,524 (CHF 3.66) | CHF 4.70 | - 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,287 (CHF 1.87) | CHF 7 | - 73% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 465,977 (CHF 676) | CHF 585 | + 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 (CHF 0.06) | CHF 0.40 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,740 (CHF 52) | CHF 83 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,406 (CHF 3.49) | CHF 9 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00145
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,671 prices entered by 246 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Switzerland
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 12% more expensive than in Switzerland
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 32% cheaper than in Switzerland
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Switzerland
- Cost of living in Armenia is 66% cheaper than in Switzerland
- Cost of living in Argentina is 63% cheaper than in Switzerland
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 22% cheaper than in Switzerland
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 67% cheaper than in Switzerland
- Cost of living in Albania is 62% cheaper than in Switzerland