Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,005 ($10) | $17 | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,388 ($7) | $9 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,276 ($3.40) | $5.11 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 821 ($1.23) | $0.99 | + 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,629 ($2.43) | $3.34 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 986 ($1.47) | $4.43 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,306 ($4.94) | $7 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,101 ($3.14) | $3.93 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,166 ($1.74) | $1.92 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 857 ($1.28) | $3.30 | - 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,955 ($13) | $16 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,683 ($2.51) | $2.26 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 789 ($1.18) | $2.47 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 508,530 ($760) | $2,517 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 307,245 ($459) | $1,960 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 55,735 ($83) | $204 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,257 ($601) | $1,774 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 257,301 ($384) | $1,342 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 37,529 ($56) | $139 | - 60% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,592 ($31) | $56 | - 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 183,169 ($274) | $300 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 69,311 ($104) | $135 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,382 ($8) | $12 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,940 ($4.39) | $27 | - 84% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 9% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,876 ($55) | $51 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 27,404 ($41) | $46 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 63,383 ($95) | $92 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 56,836 ($85) | $120 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 25% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,980,200 ($23,871) | $25,474 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 763 ($1.14) | $1.06 | + 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 32,313 ($48) | $77 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,292 ($4.92) | $7 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 12,653 ($19) | $19 | - 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,150 ($54) | $125 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,449 ($5.15) | $7 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,195 ($4.77) | $4.17 | + 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,865 ($5.77) | $5.50 | + 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,653 ($2.47) | $4.18 | - 41% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,537 ($2.30) | $2.05 | + 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,301 ($11) | $25 | - 57% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,586 ($20) | $49 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,187 ($11) | $27 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,378 ($23) | $196 | - 88% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,954 ($45) | $84 | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,396 ($7) | $13 | - 49% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,524 ($3.77) | $5.19 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,287 ($1.92) | $6 | - 70% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 465,977 ($696) | $492 | + 42% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 ($0.06) | $0.17 | - 62% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,740 ($53) | $53 | + 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,406 ($3.59) | $9 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 43% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00149
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,140 prices entered by 2,727 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in United States
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