Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,252 ($14) | $20 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,749 ($9) | $11 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,104 ($3.98) | $5.69 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 952 ($1.80) | $1.08 | + 66% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,145 ($4.05) | $5.03 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,241 ($2.35) | $4.67 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,802 ($5.30) | $7 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,127 ($4.02) | $4.47 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,239 ($2.34) | $2.33 | + 0% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,003 ($1.90) | $3.09 | - 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,533 ($20) | $15 | + 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,515 ($2.86) | $2.89 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 930 ($1.76) | $2.79 | - 37% | |
| Housing | - 67% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 579,458 ($1,095) | $3,140 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 301,445 ($570) | $2,416 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 34,364 ($65) | $222 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 384,970 ($728) | $2,088 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 252,041 ($476) | $1,601 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 22,732 ($43) | $144 | - 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,275 ($27) | $67 | - 60% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 194,338 ($367) | $301 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 67,373 ($127) | $143 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,978 ($9) | $14 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,347 ($4.44) | $31 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,934 ($75) | $59 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,045 ($45) | $53 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 50,017 ($95) | $98 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 40,581 ($77) | $136 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,762,600 ($29,792) | $28,071 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 757 ($1.43) | $1.03 | + 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,473 ($39) | $81 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 30% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,609 ($7) | $9 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,257 ($17) | $23 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 30,952 ($58) | $141 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 2,761 ($5.22) | $9 | - 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,787 ($5.27) | $4.75 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,921 ($7) | $6 | + 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,582 ($2.99) | $4.84 | - 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,452 ($2.75) | $2.26 | + 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,224 ($12) | $29 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,484 ($24) | $57 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,715 ($13) | $30 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 13,983 ($26) | $226 | - 88% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 25,921 ($49) | $96 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,285 ($8) | $14 | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,817 ($5.32) | $5.50 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,561 ($2.95) | $7 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 339,072 ($641) | $610 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 51 ($0.10) | $0.22 | - 57% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 30,869 ($58) | $68 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,744 ($5.19) | $10 | - 50% | |
| TOTAL | - 43% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 06, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00189
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 21,276 prices entered by 2,699 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 43% cheaper than in United States
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