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: ₡ 1,551,153
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: ₡ 710,941
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is more expensive than in 85% of cities in Latin America (6 out of 34)
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is cheaper than in 70% of cities in the World (140 out of 199)

List of prices in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica. Current as of Jan 2021.

Change the currency:
Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district ₡ 5,732
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) ₡ 3,879
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast ₡ 1,767
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk ₡ 817
12 eggs, large ₡ 1,600
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes ₡ 1,019
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese ₡ 2,353
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples ₡ 2,129
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes ₡ 919
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket ₡ 1,039
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality ₡ 10,723
2 liters of coca-cola ₡ 1,487
Bread for 2 people for 1 day ₡ 675
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area ₡ 571,793
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area ₡ 282,034
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat ₡ 39,804
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area ₡ 449,848
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area ₡ 230,395
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio ₡ 24,866
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) ₡ 15,420
40” flat screen tv ₡ 189,361
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) ₡ 63,216
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) ₡ 4,446
Hourly rate for cleaning help ₡ 2,478
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) ₡ 37,092
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) ₡ 21,031
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) ₡ 55,547
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes ₡ 51,565
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new ₡ 11,815,700
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas ₡ 597
Monthly ticket public transport ₡ 21,831
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) ₡ 6,658
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) ₡ 3,970
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) ₡ 10,173
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) ₡ 46,662
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) ₡ 3,289
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) ₡ 2,690
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) ₡ 3,594
4 rolls of toilet paper ₡ 1,552
Tube of toothpaste ₡ 1,292
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city ₡ 7,909
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub ₡ 12,962
2 tickets to the movies ₡ 6,041
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) ₡ 23,454
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert ₡ 30,199
1 cocktail drink in downtown club ₡ 4,311
Cappuccino in expat area of the city ₡ 2,210
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) ₡ 1,440
Ipad wi-fi 128gb ₡ 325,729
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) ₡ 47
1 month of gym membership in business district ₡ 40,724
1 package of marlboro cigarettes ₡ 2,283
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 1,205 prices entered by 113 different people.
Latest price update: January 18, 2021

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
140th
out of 199
latin america
6th
out of 34

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

latin america
2nd
latin america
2nd
latin america
2nd
latin america
3rd
latin america
3rd
latin america
3rd

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