Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 26% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,274 ($12) | $20 | - 39% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,671 ($9) | $11 | - 20% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,118 ($4.13) | $5.47 | - 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,083 ($2.11) | $1.05 | + 101% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,851 ($3.61) | $4.43 | - 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,215 ($2.37) | $4.51 | - 47% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,952 ($5.76) | $7 | - 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,691 ($3.30) | $3.96 | - 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,164 ($2.27) | $2.06 | + 10% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,083 ($2.11) | $3.71 | - 43% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,101 ($14) | $17 | - 19% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,650 ($3.22) | $2.86 | + 12% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 857 ($1.67) | $2.59 | - 35% | |
Housing | - 62% | |||
Housing in Costa Rica is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 542,164 ($1,057) | $2,852 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 323,059 ($630) | $2,119 | - 70% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,915 ($82) | $220 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 429,356 ($837) | $2,032 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 242,935 ($474) | $1,492 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 41,769 ($81) | $163 | - 50% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,934 ($31) | $59 | - 48% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 166,800 ($325) | $260 | + 25% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 72,835 ($142) | $145 | - 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,988 ($8) | $14 | - 45% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,652 ($5.17) | $33 | - 84% | |
Clothes | - 15% | |||
Clothes in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 32,063 ($63) | $57 | + 10% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,057 ($41) | $55 | - 25% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 59,753 ($117) | $102 | + 15% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,351 ($86) | $137 | - 37% | |
Transportation | - 22% | |||
Transportation in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,345,500 ($29,920) | $29,204 | + 2% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 715 ($1.39) | $0.95 | + 46% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 26,133 ($51) | $80 | - 36% | |
Personal Care | - 24% | |||
Personal Care in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,238 ($6) | $9 | - 29% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,605 ($17) | $23 | - 26% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,369 ($69) | $157 | - 56% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,073 ($10) | $9 | + 14% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,224 ($6) | $4.96 | + 27% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,584 ($7) | $6 | + 10% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,401 ($2.73) | $4.71 | - 42% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 ($3.97) | $2.33 | + 70% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,992 ($21) | $29 | - 26% | |
Entertainment | - 48% | |||
Entertainment in Costa Rica is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Costa Rica | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 ($32) | $60 | - 46% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 ($13) | $29 | - 54% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,181 ($30) | $232 | - 87% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,867 ($66) | $101 | - 34% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,454 ($11) | $14 | - 25% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,355 ($7) | $5.74 | + 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,485 ($2.90) | $7 | - 59% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 ($652) | $500 | + 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 ($0.07) | $0.56 | - 87% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,277 ($65) | $63 | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,793 ($5.45) | $10 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 41% |
These prices were last updated on November 06, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00195
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,740 prices entered by 2,195 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 41% cheaper than in United States
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