Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 17% more expensive than in Mexico City (Mexico)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,977 prices entered by 204 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 17% more expensive than in Mexico City (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Mexico City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,064 (Mex$ 270) | Mex$ 346 | - 22% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,572 (Mex$ 175) | Mex$ 179 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,118 (Mex$ 81) | Mex$ 71 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,085 (Mex$ 41) | Mex$ 29 | + 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 52 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (Mex$ 56) | Mex$ 34 | + 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (Mex$ 125) | Mex$ 91 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,740 (Mex$ 66) | Mex$ 47 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 33 | + 117% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (Mex$ 43) | Mex$ 27 | + 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,744 (Mex$ 372) | Mex$ 273 | + 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (Mex$ 60) | Mex$ 38 | + 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 937 (Mex$ 36) | Mex$ 29 | + 25% | |
| Housing | - 12% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 12% cheaper than in Mexico City (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Mexico City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 574,882 (Mex$ 21,944) | Mex$ 31,604 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 363,154 (Mex$ 13,862) | Mex$ 16,686 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (Mex$ 1,581) | Mex$ 1,056 | + 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (Mex$ 17,918) | Mex$ 22,313 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (Mex$ 10,594) | Mex$ 12,584 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (Mex$ 1,282) | Mex$ 686 | + 87% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (Mex$ 666) | Mex$ 509 | + 31% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (Mex$ 8,577) | Mex$ 8,425 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 79,046 (Mex$ 3,017) | Mex$ 2,258 | + 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,178 (Mex$ 198) | Mex$ 146 | + 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (Mex$ 103) | Mex$ 120 | - 14% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 7% more expensive than in Mexico City (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Mexico City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 27,618 (Mex$ 1,054) | Mex$ 996 | + 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (Mex$ 930) | Mex$ 926 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (Mex$ 2,486) | Mex$ 1,654 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 42,786 (Mex$ 1,633) | Mex$ 1,935 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | + 44% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 44% more expensive than in Mexico City (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Mexico City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 15,013,800 (Mex$ 573,093) | Mex$ 379,327 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (Mex$ 27) | Mex$ 24 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,762 (Mex$ 793) | Mex$ 549 | + 44% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 7,933 (Mex$ 303) | Mex$ 105 | + 188% | |
| Personal Care | + 72% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 72% more expensive than in Mexico City (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Mexico City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,467 (Mex$ 132) | Mex$ 124 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,654 (Mex$ 369) | Mex$ 267 | + 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (Mex$ 1,720) | Mex$ 694 | + 148% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 4,966 (Mex$ 190) | Mex$ 98 | + 94% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,177 (Mex$ 121) | Mex$ 61 | + 99% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,805 (Mex$ 183) | Mex$ 88 | + 109% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,540 (Mex$ 59) | Mex$ 38 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,971 (Mex$ 75) | Mex$ 37 | + 102% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 11,351 (Mex$ 433) | Mex$ 380 | + 14% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 18% more expensive than in Mexico City (Mexico) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Mexico City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,694 (Mex$ 675) | Mex$ 389 | + 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,031 (Mex$ 268) | Mex$ 183 | + 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,430 (Mex$ 589) | Mex$ 1,419 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (Mex$ 1,444) | Mex$ 1,010 | + 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,819 (Mex$ 222) | Mex$ 226 | - 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (Mex$ 109) | Mex$ 102 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (Mex$ 54) | Mex$ 59 | - 10% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 351,999 (Mex$ 13,436) | Mex$ 10,134 | + 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 40 (Mex$ 1.51) | Mex$ 1.82 | - 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (Mex$ 1,346) | Mex$ 1,462 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,680 (Mex$ 102) | Mex$ 81 | + 26% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 17% | ||
These prices were last updated on May 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.03817
MXN
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,977 prices entered by 204 different people.
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