Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,396 ($10) | $15 | - 32% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,970 ($6) | $8 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,908 ($3.10) | $4.27 | - 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 850 ($1.38) | $0.88 | + 58% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,760 ($2.86) | $2.89 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,039 ($1.69) | $4.18 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,528 ($4.10) | $6 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,983 ($3.22) | $3.45 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 926 ($1.50) | $1.76 | - 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,106 ($1.79) | $3.12 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,412 ($15) | $14 | + 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,567 ($2.54) | $1.99 | + 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 751 ($1.22) | $2.19 | - 44% | |
| Housing | - 59% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 569,768 ($924) | $2,201 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 284,181 ($461) | $1,576 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,629 ($61) | $179 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 451,209 ($732) | $1,539 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 257,086 ($417) | $1,144 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 25,924 ($42) | $114 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,922 ($24) | $52 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 203,875 ($331) | $271 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,685 ($94) | $126 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,919 ($8) | $11 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,223 ($3.61) | $22 | - 84% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,661 ($61) | $47 | + 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,829 ($37) | $43 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 56,573 ($92) | $86 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 52,807 ($86) | $107 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 13,693,400 ($22,217) | $23,590 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 596 ($0.97) | $0.66 | + 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 21,205 ($34) | $73 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 15% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,636 ($8) | $7 | + 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,268 ($13) | $16 | - 17% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 47,270 ($77) | $111 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,812 ($4.56) | $7 | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,750 ($4.46) | $3.45 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,482 ($5.65) | $4.85 | + 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,625 ($2.64) | $3.66 | - 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,356 ($2.20) | $1.82 | + 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,655 ($12) | $22 | - 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,338 ($22) | $47 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,087 ($10) | $25 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,840 ($27) | $199 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,885 ($48) | $78 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,645 ($5.91) | $12 | - 52% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,014 ($3.27) | $4.94 | - 34% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,447 ($2.35) | $5.64 | - 58% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 296,395 ($481) | $425 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 ($0.07) | $0.25 | - 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 36,171 ($59) | $49 | + 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,372 ($3.85) | $8 | - 53% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00162
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 33,337 prices entered by 4,274 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 40% cheaper than in United States
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