Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,275 ($9) | $15 | - 37% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,110 ($7) | $8 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,845 ($3.24) | $4.35 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 849 ($1.49) | $0.88 | + 70% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,725 ($3.03) | $2.99 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,014 ($1.78) | $4.04 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,451 ($4.31) | $6 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,944 ($3.42) | $3.37 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,053 ($1.85) | $1.77 | + 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 913 ($1.60) | $3.17 | - 49% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,292 ($16) | $14 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,397 ($2.45) | $1.94 | + 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 705 ($1.24) | $2.04 | - 39% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 680,659 ($1,196) | $2,261 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 344,474 ($605) | $1,627 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,212 ($69) | $177 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 439,628 ($772) | $1,629 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 231,645 ($407) | $1,159 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 28,187 ($50) | $109 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,092 ($32) | $47 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 238,879 ($420) | $294 | + 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 78,930 ($139) | $118 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,963 ($7) | $11 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,520 ($4.43) | $22 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,815 ($66) | $49 | + 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,164 ($42) | $44 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,031 ($104) | $86 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 49,901 ($88) | $112 | - 22% | |
| Transportation | - 28% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,132,800 ($23,069) | $22,917 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 655 ($1.15) | $0.75 | + 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,511 ($41) | $81 | - 49% | |
| Personal Care | - 11% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,107 ($5.46) | $7 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,537 ($19) | $20 | - 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,856 ($68) | $111 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,864 ($5.03) | $7 | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,141 ($5.52) | $3.53 | + 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,508 ($6) | $5.13 | + 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,596 ($2.80) | $3.57 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,550 ($2.72) | $1.82 | + 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,676 ($12) | $22 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,477 ($27) | $46 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,413 ($11) | $25 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 23,069 ($41) | $222 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 28,149 ($49) | $75 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,216 ($7) | $12 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,026 ($3.56) | $4.84 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,633 ($2.87) | $5.81 | - 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 306,659 ($539) | $396 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 ($0.08) | $0.19 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 40,614 ($71) | $53 | + 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,100 ($3.69) | $8 | - 54% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00176
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 46,038 prices entered by 5,773 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in United States
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