Cost of living in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 22% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,281 prices entered by 137 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 26% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | San Jose, Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $11 (₡ 5,742) | ₡ 7,871 | - 27% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (₡ 3,776) | ₡ 4,854 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.11 (₡ 1,139) | ₡ 2,307 | - 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.06 (₡ 1,111) | ₡ 968 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.59 (₡ 1,399) | ₡ 2,016 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.78 (₡ 964) | ₡ 1,153 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.05 (₡ 2,185) | ₡ 3,061 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.86 (₡ 1,543) | ₡ 2,429 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.15 (₡ 1,162) | ₡ 1,191 | - 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.34 (₡ 725) | ₡ 900 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (₡ 8,708) | ₡ 8,475 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.00 (₡ 1,081) | ₡ 1,649 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.97 (₡ 523) | ₡ 919 | - 43% | |
| Housing | - 8% | |||
| Housing in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 8% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | San Jose, Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,143 (₡ 617,415) | ₡ 592,020 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $673 (₡ 363,353) | ₡ 300,344 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $105 (₡ 56,848) | ₡ 38,035 | + 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $567 (₡ 306,229) | ₡ 402,494 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $379 (₡ 204,698) | ₡ 232,028 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $46 (₡ 24,652) | ₡ 29,406 | - 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $27 (₡ 14,361) | ₡ 17,100 | - 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $359 (₡ 194,158) | ₡ 250,782 | - 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $88 (₡ 47,559) | ₡ 65,515 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 (₡ 3,603) | ₡ 10,228 | - 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $11 (₡ 5,983) | ₡ 2,755 | + 117% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 8% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | San Jose, Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 (₡ 28,035) | ₡ 38,857 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $42 (₡ 22,765) | ₡ 23,998 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $98 (₡ 53,176) | ₡ 55,702 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $84 (₡ 45,612) | ₡ 36,902 | + 24% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 33% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | San Jose, Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $19,386 (₡ 10,472,677) | ₡ 16,283,000 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.32 (₡ 712) | ₡ 889 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $31 (₡ 16,693) | ₡ 30,682 | - 46% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $24 (₡ 12,797) | ₡ 8,033 | + 59% | |
| Personal Care | - 30% | |||
| Personal Care in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 30% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | San Jose, Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.01 (₡ 2,705) | ₡ 3,885 | - 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (₡ 7,659) | ₡ 10,693 | - 28% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $31 (₡ 16,865) | ₡ 36,487 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $4.90 (₡ 2,646) | ₡ 3,378 | - 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.02 (₡ 2,173) | ₡ 2,962 | - 27% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (₡ 3,452) | ₡ 3,549 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.18 (₡ 1,177) | ₡ 1,693 | - 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.79 (₡ 969) | ₡ 1,551 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $12 (₡ 6,294) | ₡ 7,509 | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in San Salvador (El Salvador) is 16% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Salvador | San Jose, Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $17 (₡ 9,359) | ₡ 11,094 | - 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $10 (₡ 5,228) | ₡ 6,850 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $42 (₡ 22,948) | ₡ 15,323 | + 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $41 (₡ 22,122) | ₡ 33,546 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9 (₡ 4,674) | ₡ 4,541 | + 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.47 (₡ 2,415) | ₡ 2,531 | - 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.76 (₡ 949) | ₡ 1,355 | - 30% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $506 (₡ 273,495) | ₡ 411,708 | - 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (₡ 108) | ₡ 43 | + 152% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $34 (₡ 18,302) | ₡ 33,211 | - 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.52 (₡ 1,901) | ₡ 2,382 | - 20% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 22% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,281 prices entered by 137 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
540.213
CRC
/
USD
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ₡ 1,640,000 in San Jose, Costa Rica you would need to make just about ₡ 1,273,247 ($2,357) in San Salvador.
Do you live in San Jose, Costa Rica? We need your help!
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