Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 12% more expensive than in Cancún (Mexico)
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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 1,259 prices entered by 133 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 5% more expensive than in Cancún (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Cancún | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 8,247 (Mex$ 283) | Mex$ 446 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,107 (Mex$ 175) | Mex$ 175 | + 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,307 (Mex$ 79) | Mex$ 61 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 984 (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 27 | + 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,016 (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 45 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,153 (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 29 | + 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 4,180 (Mex$ 144) | Mex$ 96 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,429 (Mex$ 83) | Mex$ 43 | + 94% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,191 (Mex$ 41) | Mex$ 36 | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 900 (Mex$ 31) | Mex$ 36 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,475 (Mex$ 291) | Mex$ 242 | + 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,649 (Mex$ 57) | Mex$ 34 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 919 (Mex$ 32) | Mex$ 12 | + 158% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is about the same as in Cancún (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Cancún | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 592,020 (Mex$ 20,340) | Mex$ 25,565 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 300,344 (Mex$ 10,319) | Mex$ 10,765 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,035 (Mex$ 1,307) | Mex$ 1,513 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,494 (Mex$ 13,829) | Mex$ 14,655 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 232,028 (Mex$ 7,972) | Mex$ 8,187 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 29,406 (Mex$ 1,010) | Mex$ 1,717 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,100 (Mex$ 588) | Mex$ 466 | + 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 250,782 (Mex$ 8,616) | Mex$ 7,808 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,515 (Mex$ 2,251) | Mex$ 2,100 | + 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 10,228 (Mex$ 351) | Mex$ 129 | + 172% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,755 (Mex$ 95) | Mex$ 133 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | + 27% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 27% more expensive than in Cancún (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Cancún | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,857 (Mex$ 1,335) | Mex$ 941 | + 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 23,998 (Mex$ 825) | Mex$ 621 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 55,702 (Mex$ 1,914) | Mex$ 1,786 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (Mex$ 1,268) | Mex$ 1,307 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | + 39% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 39% more expensive than in Cancún (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Cancún | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,283,000 (Mex$ 559,446) | Mex$ 277,512 | + 102% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 889 (Mex$ 31) | Mex$ 24 | + 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 30,682 (Mex$ 1,054) | Mex$ 797 | + 32% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 8,036 (Mex$ 276) | Mex$ 314 | - 12% | |
| Personal Care | + 39% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 39% more expensive than in Cancún (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Cancún | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 (Mex$ 133) | Mex$ 150 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,693 (Mex$ 367) | Mex$ 246 | + 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (Mex$ 1,254) | Mex$ 901 | + 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,378 (Mex$ 116) | Mex$ 94 | + 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (Mex$ 102) | Mex$ 59 | + 72% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,549 (Mex$ 122) | Mex$ 80 | + 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,693 (Mex$ 58) | Mex$ 42 | + 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (Mex$ 53) | Mex$ 46 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (Mex$ 258) | Mex$ 230 | + 12% | |
| Entertainment | - 10% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 10% cheaper than in Cancún (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Cancún | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 11,094 (Mex$ 381) | Mex$ 501 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,850 (Mex$ 235) | Mex$ 169 | + 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,323 (Mex$ 526) | Mex$ 655 | - 20% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (Mex$ 1,153) | Mex$ 987 | + 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (Mex$ 156) | Mex$ 186 | - 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (Mex$ 87) | Mex$ 102 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,355 (Mex$ 47) | Mex$ 66 | - 29% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 411,708 (Mex$ 14,145) | Mex$ 12,077 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 (Mex$ 1.47) | Mex$ 5.64 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,420 (Mex$ 1,148) | Mex$ 814 | + 41% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,382 (Mex$ 82) | Mex$ 66 | + 23% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 12% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,259 prices entered by 133 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.03436
MXN
/
CRC
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For example, you would need at least Mex$ 94,245 (₡ 2,743,060) in San Jose, Costa Rica to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Mex$ 84,000 in Cancún.
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