Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Summary of cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: ₡ 1,701,020
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: ₡ 820,790
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is more expensive than in 87% of cities in Latin America (7 out of 47)
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is cheaper than in 61% of cities in the World (173 out of 285)

List of prices in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica. Current as of Jan 2020.

Change the currency:
Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district ₡ 5,356
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) ₡ 4,135
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast ₡ 1,869
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk ₡ 848
12 eggs, large ₡ 1,716
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes ₡ 1,003
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese ₡ 2,390
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples ₡ 2,020
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes ₡ 1,055
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket ₡ 893
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality ₡ 8,917
2 liters of coca-cola ₡ 1,424
Bread for 2 people for 1 day ₡ 702
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area ₡ 685,616
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area ₡ 360,596
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat ₡ 40,435
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area ₡ 428,397
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area ₡ 237,962
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio ₡ 31,779
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) ₡ 18,211
40” flat screen tv ₡ 244,885
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) ₡ 78,408
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) ₡ 4,254
Hourly rate for cleaning help ₡ 2,499
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) ₡ 37,846
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) ₡ 25,973
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) ₡ 59,076
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes ₡ 50,637
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new ₡ 13,957,600
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas ₡ 660
Monthly ticket public transport ₡ 23,538
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) ₡ 6,169
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) ₡ 3,098
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) ₡ 10,612
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) ₡ 36,178
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) ₡ 3,349
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) ₡ 3,294
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) ₡ 3,834
4 rolls of toilet paper ₡ 1,768
Tube of toothpaste ₡ 1,827
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city ₡ 6,433
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub ₡ 15,800
2 tickets to the movies ₡ 6,368
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) ₡ 23,884
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert ₡ 27,362
1 cocktail drink in downtown club ₡ 4,004
Cappuccino in expat area of the city ₡ 1,955
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) ₡ 1,733
Ipad wi-fi 128gb ₡ 321,432
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) ₡ 45
1 month of gym membership in business district ₡ 39,392
1 package of marlboro cigarettes ₡ 2,227
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 2,209 prices entered by 177 different people.
Latest price update: January 21, 2020

Moving to San Jose, Costa Rica with your children?

International Schools in San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose position in our World Ranking

the world
173rd
out of 285
latin america
7th
out of 47

Cheapest and most expensive products in San Jose compared to other cities:

latin america
3rd
latin america
3rd
latin america
3rd
latin america
4th
latin america
4th
latin america
4th

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