Understanding the Cost of Living in Costa Rica
When considering a move to Costa Rica, one of the most significant factors is the Costa Rica cost of living. This article will explore your various expenses while living in this beautiful country.
Housing
Housing costs in Costa Rica vary greatly depending on location and the type of accommodation you’re looking for. The closer you are to the beach or popular tourist destinations, the higher the rent or real estate prices will be.
A studio or one-bedroom apartment in the city’s contractual ranges from $500 to $800 per month, while a more extensive two or three-bedroom apartment can cost upwards of $1,000 per month. For those looking to purchase a property, prices range from $200,000 for a small house or condo to over $1 mil luxury beachfront properties.
Food and Drink
Food and drink prices in Costa Rica are generally affordable, with fresh fruits and vegetables readily available at local markets. A meal at a local restaurant can cost between $5 to $15 per person, while groceries for a week can cost around $50 for a single person.
For those who enjoy a drink, a local beer can cost as little as $3, while a cocktail can range from $5 to $10. Imported wines and spirits tend to be more expensive.
Transportation
Transportation costs in Costa Rica can vary depending on how often you use public transport and the distance you need to travel. A bus ride in San Jose can cost as little as $0.50, while a taxi ride can range from $5 to $20, depending on the distance.
For those looking to purchase a car, prices can range from $5,000 for a used car to over $30,000 plus for a new car. Gasoline prices are similar to those in the United States.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Costa Rica is known to be of high quality and affordable. The country’s universal healthcare system is available to all citizens and legal residents.
Private healthcare is also available for those not covered under the healthcare system. Private healthcare is generally lower than in the United States, with a doctor’s visit costing around $60 and a trip to the emergency room costing about $150.
Want to see the actual Costa Rica Cost of Living price difference?
The information below is from the good folks at numbeo.com. Numbeo is the world’s largest database about food prices worldwide!
Please don’t shoot the messenger!!! If you think the prices are wrong, please feel free to edit them yourself below.
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Indices Difference |
|
|---|---|
| Consumer Prices in Costa Rica are 31.44% lower than in the United States (without rent). | |
| Consumer Prices, including Rent in Costa Rica, are 42.41% lower than in the United States | |
| Rent Prices in Costa Rica are 63.48% lower than in the United States | |
| Restaurant Prices in Costa Rica are 39.43% lower than in the United States | |
| Groceries Prices in Costa Rica are 33.81% lower than in the United States | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Costa Rica is 63.38% lower than in the United States. | |
Costa Rica’s Cost of Living
Restaurants |
United States Edit |
Costa RicaEdit |
Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 15.00 $ (9,342.07 ₡) |
7.23 $ (4,500.00 ₡) |
-51.83 % |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 60.00 $ (37,368.26 ₡) |
40.14 $ (25,000.00 ₡) |
-33.10 % |
| McDonald’s average meal price | 8.00 $ (4,982.43 ₡) |
7.23 $ (4,500.00 ₡) |
-9.68 % |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) | 5.00 $ (3,114.02 ₡) |
2.41 $ (1,500.00 ₡) |
-51.83 % |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 6.00 $ (3,736.83 ₡) |
3.99 $ (2,483.09 ₡) |
-33.55 % |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 4.30 $ (2,677.99 ₡) |
2.45 $ (1,523.73 ₡) |
-43.10 % |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33-liter bottle) | 1.91 $ (1,191.24 ₡) |
1.52 $ (946.62 ₡) |
-20.54 % |
| Water (0.33-liter bottle) | 1.54 $ (961.37 ₡) |
1.35 $ (838.71 ₡) |
-12.76 % |
Markets |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Regular milk (1 liter) | 0.86 $ (534.45 ₡) |
1.30 $ (810.95 ₡) |
+51.73 % |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.73 $ (1,701.65 ₡) |
1.49 $ (929.62 ₡) |
-45.37 % |
| White rice (1kg) | 3.98 $ (2,479.78 ₡) |
1.28 $ (795.07 ₡) |
-67.94 % |
| Eggs one(a dozen) | 2.30 $ (1,429.36 ₡) |
2.41 $ (1,503.52 ₡) |
+5.19 % |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 11.06 $ (6,889.82 ₡) |
5.78 $ (3,599.88 ₡) |
-47.75 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 9.22 $ (5,741.84 ₡) |
6.06 $ (3,774.80 ₡) |
-34.26 % |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 12.68 $ (7,896.94 ₡) |
8.08 $ (5,031.23 ₡) |
-36.29 % |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.52 $ (2,814.32 ₡) |
3.78 $ (2,353.59 ₡) |
-16.37 % |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.56 $ (970.05 ₡) |
1.26 $ (785.45 ₡) |
-19.03 % |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.97 $ (2,470.91 ₡) |
2.02 $ (1,261.10 ₡) |
-48.96 % |
| Tomato (1kg) | 4.27 $ (2,657.38 ₡) |
1.84 $ (1,144.31 ₡) |
-56.94 % |
| Potato (1kg) | 2.58 $ (1,609.94 ₡) |
1.78 $ (1,108.07 ₡) |
-31.17 % |
| Onion (1kg) | 2.60 $ (1,617.64 ₡) |
2.06 $ (1,284.39 ₡) |
-20.60 % |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.64 $ (1,021.93 ₡) |
0.85 $ (530.44 ₡) |
-48.09 % |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | 1.80 $ (1,118.55 ₡) |
1.96 $ (1,222.73 ₡) |
+9.31 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 12.00 $ (7,473.65 ₡) |
11.24 $ (7,000.00 ₡) |
-6.34 % |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-liter bottle) | 2.49 $ (1,552.17 ₡) |
1.77 $ (1,103.30 ₡) |
-28.92 % |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 2.85 $ (1,774.64 ₡) |
2.57 $ (1,601.93 ₡) |
-9.73 % |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 8.00 $ (4,982.43 ₡) |
4.01 $ (2,500.00 ₡) |
-49.82 % |
Transportation |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.20 $ (1,370.17 ₡) |
0.80 $ (500.00 ₡) |
-63.51 % |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 65.00 $ (40,482.28 ₡) |
34.79 $ (21,665.62 ₡) |
-46.48 % |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 3.25 $ (2,024.11 ₡) |
1.04 $ (650.00 ₡) |
-67.89 % |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.63 $ (1,015.86 ₡) |
1.06 $ (660.00 ₡) |
-35.03 % |
| Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 30.00 $ (18,684.13 ₡) |
5.68 $ (3,535.00 ₡) |
-81.08 % |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 0.69 $ (428.99 ₡) |
1.03 $ (642.38 ₡) |
+49.74 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 23,042.00 $ (14,350,657.67 ₡) |
22,478.97 $ (14,000,000.00 ₡) |
-2.44 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 21,704.93 $ (13,517,921.84 ₡) |
24,661.29 $ (15,359,158.00 ₡) |
+13.62 % |
Utilities (Monthly) |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 165.71 $ (103,206.94 ₡) |
65.80 $ (40,977.63 ₡) |
-60.30 one% |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | 0.14 $ (86.51 ₡) |
0.06 $ (39.18 ₡) |
-54.71 % |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 65.93 $ (41,059.10 ₡) |
49.95 $ (31,110.92 ₡) |
-24.23 % |
Sports And Leisure |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 37.02 $ (23,053.31 ₡) |
46.64 $ (29,046.53 ₡) |
+26.00 % |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 15.74 $ (9,803.19 ₡) |
22.23 $ (13,843.48 ₡) |
+41.21 % |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 12.00 $ (7,473.65 ₡) |
5.78 $ (3,600.00 ₡) |
-51.83 % |
Childcare |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | 935.40 $ (582,573.45 ₡) |
322.93 $ (201,121.77 ₡) |
-65.48 % |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | 15,516.26 $ (9,663,596.68 ₡) |
7,095.76 $ (4,419,271.54 ₡) |
-54.27 % |
Clothing And Shoes |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 Or Similar) | 43.91 $ (27,348.00 ₡) |
61.99 $ (38,606.27 ₡) |
+41.17 % |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, etc.) | 35.54 $ (22,136.93 ₡) |
40.79 $ (25,406.88 ₡) |
+14.77 % |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 76.20 $ (47,455.21 ₡) |
92.25 $ (57,455.65 ₡) |
+21.07 % |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 96.46 $ (60,077.96 ₡) |
82.50 $ (51,381.64 ₡) |
-14.48 % |
Rent Per Month |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1,331.40 $ (829,200.22 ₡) |
499.02 $ (310,788.90 ₡) |
-62.52 % |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,082.06 $ (673,911.15 ₡) |
344.71 $ (214,686.63 ₡) |
-68.14 % |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 2,165.92 $ (1,348,945.84 ₡) |
840.97 $ (523,759.35 ₡) |
-61.17 % |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1,754.33 $ (1,092,604.01 ₡) |
620.81 $ (386,644.28 ₡) |
-64.61 % |
Buy Apartment Price |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in City Centre | 3,570.14 $ (2,223,496.32 ₡) |
1,669.79 $ (1,039,953.83 ₡) |
-53.23 % |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment Outside of Centre | 2,136.11 $ (1,330,376.68 ₡) |
1,347.45 $ (839,195.16 ₡) |
-36.92 % |
Salaries And Financing |
United StatesEdit |
Costa RicaEdit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 3,556.81 $ (2,215,198.33 ₡) |
750.17 $ (467,209.32 ₡) |
-78.91 % |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 4.00 | 9.40 | +135.07 % |
| Last update: | August 2021 | August 2021 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 14701 | 169 |
Conclusion
The cost of living in Costa Rica can be affordable, especially compared to the cost of living in the United States or Europe. However, it’s important to note that prices can vary greatly depending on location and lifestyle choices.
With this information in mind, we hope you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether Costa Rica is the right place to live. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know us.
To summarize, moving to Costa Rica will provide you with a higher quality of life for a lower cost.
-Written by Glenn Tellier (Founder of CRIE and Grupo Gap).
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Article by Glenn Tellier (Founder of CRIE and Grupo Gap)