Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 9% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,711 (£10) | £13 | - 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,580 (£7) | £7 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,453 (£3.74) | £3.44 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 992 (£1.51) | £1.11 | + 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,216 (£3.38) | £3.47 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,227 (£1.87) | £1.92 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,567 (£3.92) | £4.23 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,112 (£3.22) | £2.00 | + 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,432 (£2.19) | £0.94 | + 133% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 945 (£1.44) | £1.72 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 11,346 (£17) | £8 | + 110% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,606 (£2.45) | £2.25 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 928 (£1.42) | £1.11 | + 27% | |
| Housing | - 53% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 53% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 572,782 (£874) | £2,055 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 306,580 (£468) | £1,348 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 28,067 (£43) | £218 | - 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 389,387 (£594) | £1,168 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 241,078 (£368) | £817 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 20,040 (£31) | £133 | - 77% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 16,566 (£25) | £26 | - 1% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 219,739 (£335) | £306 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 64,053 (£98) | £93 | + 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,676 (£7) | £6 | + 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,380 (£3.63) | £15 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 11% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 44,695 (£68) | £63 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,421 (£37) | £32 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,734 (£84) | £68 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 37,613 (£57) | £70 | - 18% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,068,800 (£23,004) | £25,545 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 778 (£1.19) | £1.52 | - 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,124 (£38) | £91 | - 58% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 5% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,367 (£5.14) | £4.12 | + 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,814 (£17) | £11 | + 55% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,912 (£56) | £112 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,538 (£3.87) | £3.78 | + 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,787 (£4.25) | £1.71 | + 149% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,472 (£5.30) | £3.49 | + 52% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,578 (£2.41) | £2.13 | + 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,482 (£2.26) | £1.81 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 5,876 (£9) | £14 | - 37% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 11,648 (£18) | £37 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,007 (£11) | £19 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,222 (£20) | £153 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 25,393 (£39) | £58 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,285 (£7) | £10 | - 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,666 (£4.07) | £3.28 | + 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,382 (£2.11) | £4.90 | - 57% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 332,838 (£508) | £412 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 51 (£0.08) | £0.10 | - 25% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,853 (£50) | £34 | + 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,705 (£4.13) | £13 | - 67% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00153
GBP
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,969 prices entered by 767 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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