Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 22% cheaper than in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 603 prices entered by 68 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | - 9% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 9% cheaper than in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Babijn, Aruba | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,117 (ƒ 25) | ƒ 25 | + 1% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,573 (ƒ 16) | ƒ 17 | - 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,959 (ƒ 7) | ƒ 7 | - 3% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,066 (ƒ 3.80) | ƒ 3.96 | - 4% | |
12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,829 (ƒ 7) | ƒ 6 | + 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,336 (ƒ 4.76) | ƒ 8 | - 40% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,568 (ƒ 13) | - | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,676 (ƒ 5.97) | ƒ 9 | - 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,649 (ƒ 5.88) | ƒ 5.75 | + 2% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,095 (ƒ 3.90) | ƒ 7 | - 41% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,757 (ƒ 38) | ƒ 31 | + 22% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,551 (ƒ 5.53) | ƒ 7 | - 16% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 932 (ƒ 3.32) | ƒ 3.30 | + 1% | |
Housing | - 36% | |||
Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 36% cheaper than in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Babijn, Aruba | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 563,999 (ƒ 2,010) | ƒ 2,933 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 349,194 (ƒ 1,245) | ƒ 2,170 | - 43% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,914 (ƒ 142) | ƒ 347 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (ƒ 1,673) | ƒ 1,918 | - 13% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (ƒ 989) | ƒ 1,364 | - 27% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (ƒ 120) | ƒ 225 | - 47% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (ƒ 62) | ƒ 119 | - 48% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (ƒ 801) | ƒ 602 | + 33% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 79,046 (ƒ 282) | ƒ 659 | - 57% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,178 (ƒ 18) | ƒ 47 | - 61% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (ƒ 10) | ƒ 13 | - 27% | |
Clothes | ||||
Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is about the same as in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Babijn, Aruba | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 27,618 (ƒ 98) | - | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (ƒ 87) | - | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 67,726 (ƒ 241) | - | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 42,786 (ƒ 152) | - | - | |
Transportation | - 23% | |||
Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 23% cheaper than in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Babijn, Aruba | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,013,800 (ƒ 53,510) | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (ƒ 2.49) | ƒ 3.28 | - 24% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 22,919 (ƒ 82) | ƒ 122 | - 33% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 7,930 (ƒ 28) | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 13% | |||
Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 13% more expensive than in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Babijn, Aruba | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,467 (ƒ 12) | - | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,654 (ƒ 34) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,057 (ƒ 136) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 4,966 (ƒ 18) | ƒ 8 | + 117% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,177 (ƒ 11) | ƒ 7 | + 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,805 (ƒ 17) | ƒ 15 | + 14% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,540 (ƒ 5.49) | ƒ 7 | - 20% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,971 (ƒ 7) | ƒ 7 | - 6% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,103 (ƒ 36) | ƒ 31 | + 15% | |
Entertainment | - 23% | |||
Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 23% cheaper than in Babijn, Aruba (Aruba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, Costa Rica | Babijn, Aruba | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,152 (ƒ 58) | ƒ 89 | - 36% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,031 (ƒ 25) | ƒ 31 | - 18% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,430 (ƒ 55) | - | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 32,874 (ƒ 117) | ƒ 250 | - 53% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,851 (ƒ 21) | ƒ 16 | + 28% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,820 (ƒ 10) | ƒ 8 | + 28% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,387 (ƒ 4.95) | ƒ 9 | - 43% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 328,046 (ƒ 1,169) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 40 (ƒ 0.14) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,837 (ƒ 128) | - | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,680 (ƒ 10) | ƒ 12 | - 22% | |
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TOTAL | - 22% |

These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00356
AWG
/
CRC
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ƒ 8,400 in Babijn, Aruba you would need to make just about ƒ 6,577 (₡ 1,845,357) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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