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- Costa Rica
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 4,800 ($8) | $14 | - 43% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,650 ($6) | $8 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,403 ($4.02) | $4.50 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 790 ($1.32) | $0.88 | + 51% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,692 ($2.83) | $3.21 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,065 ($1.78) | $3.92 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,949 ($4.94) | $6 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,000 ($3.35) | $3.34 | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 947 ($1.59) | $1.60 | - 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 907 ($1.52) | $3.68 | - 59% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,583 ($13) | $15 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,749 ($2.93) | $1.92 | + 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 745 ($1.25) | $2.16 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 729,963 ($1,223) | $2,048 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₡ 367,004 ($615) | $1,552 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 99,829 ($167) | $177 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₡ 489,531 ($820) | $1,531 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₡ 333,038 ($558) | $1,100 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₡ 45,057 ($75) | $119 | - 37% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₡ 21,090 ($35) | $48 | - 26% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 273,449 ($458) | $323 | + 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 78,593 ($132) | $119 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,151 ($7) | $11 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,593 ($4.34) | $22 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 37,358 ($63) | $47 | + 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₡ 35,151 ($59) | $44 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,875 ($102) | $86 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,166 ($74) | $114 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,914,400 ($26,653) | $22,310 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 662 ($1.11) | $0.78 | + 43% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,742 ($43) | $85 | - 49% | |
| Personal Care | + 11% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 11% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,933 ($7) | $7 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 23,974 ($40) | $18 | + 125% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 42,268 ($71) | $111 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 3,978 ($7) | $7 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,759 ($6) | $3.44 | + 83% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,769 ($6) | $5.13 | + 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 2,132 ($3.57) | $3.48 | + 2% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,673 ($2.80) | $1.85 | + 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 6,348 ($11) | $21 | - 48% | |
| Entertainment | - 36% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 19,416 ($33) | $45 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,655 ($11) | $25 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 34,956 ($59) | $171 | - 66% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,732 ($50) | $78 | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,291 ($7) | $12 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,141 ($3.59) | $4.91 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,523 ($2.55) | $5.90 | - 57% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₡ 337,985 ($566) | $421 | + 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 36 ($0.06) | $0.29 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 29,780 ($50) | $52 | - 4% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,100 ($3.52) | $8 | - 55% | |
| TOTAL | - 30% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00167
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 84,672 prices entered by 11,645 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 30% cheaper than in United States
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