- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,876 ($8) | $14 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,622 ($6) | $8 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,497 ($4.18) | $4.54 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 799 ($1.34) | $0.89 | + 50% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,643 ($2.75) | $3.17 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,056 ($1.77) | $4.03 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,987 ($5.00) | $6 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,972 ($3.30) | $3.34 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 907 ($1.52) | $1.60 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 839 ($1.41) | $3.43 | - 59% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,871 ($13) | $15 | - 11% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,636 ($2.74) | $1.91 | + 43% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 656 ($1.10) | $2.13 | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 41% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 653,744 ($1,095) | $2,041 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 395,411 ($662) | $1,582 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 112,659 ($189) | $177 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 473,318 ($793) | $1,584 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 337,578 ($565) | $1,129 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 140,382 ($235) | $121 | + 94% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,830 ($35) | $48 | - 27% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 282,228 ($473) | $334 | + 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 68,986 ($116) | $119 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,331 ($7) | $11 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,460 ($4.12) | $23 | - 82% | |
| Clothes | + 30% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 30% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 40,927 ($69) | $47 | + 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 38,820 ($65) | $45 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,148 ($91) | $85 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 40,855 ($68) | $114 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,622,500 ($24,493) | $22,352 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 649 ($1.09) | $0.77 | + 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 27,199 ($46) | $85 | - 47% | |
| Personal Care | + 1% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 1% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,037 ($5.09) | $7 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 21,724 ($36) | $19 | + 97% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 40,917 ($69) | $112 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,511 ($5.88) | $7 | - 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,347 ($5.61) | $3.50 | + 60% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,065 ($5.13) | $5.13 | + 0% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,147 ($3.60) | $3.47 | + 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,654 ($2.77) | $1.85 | + 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,332 ($12) | $21 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,193 ($29) | $45 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,373 ($11) | $25 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 32,945 ($55) | $172 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,727 ($48) | $79 | - 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,318 ($5.56) | $12 | - 52% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,047 ($3.43) | $4.87 | - 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,359 ($2.28) | $5.89 | - 61% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 376,038 ($630) | $425 | + 48% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 34 ($0.06) | $0.34 | - 83% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,117 ($54) | $54 | - 0% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 1,882 ($3.15) | $8 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 11, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00168
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 93,594 prices entered by 13,451 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in United States
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