Cost of living comparison
Costa Rica is 24.8% cheaper than United States.
If you lived in Costa Rica instead of United States, you would:
pay 27.3% less for restaurants
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.02
|
$9.05
CRC4,632.30
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.37
|
$8.98
CRC4,595.98
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.44
|
$1.93
CRC987.72
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.98
|
$1.48
CRC759.82
|
|
pay 16.9% less for groceries
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.43
|
$2.46
CRC1,256.60
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.30
|
$3.95
CRC2,023.41
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.93
|
$6.91
CRC3,537.98
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.52
|
$3.22
CRC1,645.48
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.12
|
$4.09
CRC2,094.67
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.31
|
$1.97
CRC1,006.81
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.76
|
$0.62
CRC317.36
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.03
|
$1.08
CRC552.96
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.13
|
$1.17
CRC598.19
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.32
|
$1.09
CRC557.26
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.38
|
$1.06
CRC541.35
|
|
pay 0.7% more for transportation
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$5.70
CRC2,914.82
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$65.73
|
$45.78
CRC23,428.18
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,580.82
|
$30,441.08
CRC15,579,223.32
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.71
|
$14.02
CRC7,174.74
|
|
pay 51.7% less for housing
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$67.34
|
$45.97
CRC23,524.63
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,635.84
|
$731.28
CRC374,256.31
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,397.18
|
$520.21
CRC266,237.09
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$148.42
|
$63.96
CRC32,731.89
|
|
pay 60.8% less for childcare
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,344.29
|
$476.14
CRC243,679.19
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$23,001.10
|
$9,916.17
CRC5,074,926.91
|
|
pay 33.5% less for entertainment and sports
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.73
|
$2.97
CRC1,518.57
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.97
|
$3.43
CRC1,756.24
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.54
|
$4.33
CRC2,215.78
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$51.32
|
$56.36
CRC28,845.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.21
|
$7.46
CRC3,816.02
|
|
pay 16.2% more for clothing
|
United States
|
Costa Rica
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.12
|
$71.44
CRC36,559.81
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.92
|
$46.89
CRC23,998.63
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.55
|
$105.63
CRC54,058.36
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$113.11
|
$95.19
CRC48,716.04
|
|
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