Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 32% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States)
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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 778 prices entered by 97 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 16% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,016 ($14) | $17 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,560 ($9) | $11 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,167 ($4.32) | $4.90 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,090 ($2.17) | $0.97 | + 125% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,851 ($3.69) | $4.76 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,215 ($2.42) | $4.94 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,484 ($7) | $7 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,691 ($3.37) | $4.29 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,164 ($2.32) | $1.71 | + 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,035 ($2.07) | $2.69 | - 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,706 ($15) | $18 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,622 ($3.24) | $2.43 | + 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 880 ($1.76) | $2.45 | - 28% | |
| Housing | - 56% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 56% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 543,192 ($1,084) | $2,458 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 331,075 ($660) | $1,601 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 43,479 ($87) | $178 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 448,070 ($894) | $1,631 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 248,180 ($495) | $1,019 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 31,277 ($62) | $260 | - 76% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 16,985 ($34) | $60 | - 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 164,209 ($328) | $305 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 67,263 ($134) | $110 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,155 ($8) | $17 | - 51% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,650 ($5.29) | $44 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 18% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 27,794 ($55) | $61 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,660 ($39) | $50 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 58,162 ($116) | $118 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,351 ($88) | $144 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 15% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,347,400 ($32,612) | $25,143 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 716 ($1.43) | $1.08 | + 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 26,133 ($52) | $71 | - 26% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 8,168 ($16) | $30 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 25% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 25% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,284 ($7) | $11 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 9,222 ($18) | $26 | - 29% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,668 ($69) | $154 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,318 ($7) | $9 | - 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,072 ($6) | $5.56 | + 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,691 ($7) | $4.65 | + 58% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,454 ($2.90) | $4.55 | - 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 ($4.06) | $2.74 | + 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 9,277 ($19) | $22 | - 17% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 31% cheaper than in Tacoma, Washington (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Tacoma, Washington | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 ($33) | $62 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 ($14) | $25 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,261 ($30) | $286 | - 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 34,354 ($69) | $114 | - 40% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,454 ($11) | $12 | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,345 ($7) | $7 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,359 ($2.71) | $7 | - 61% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 ($667) | $565 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 39 ($0.08) | $0.10 | - 22% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 38,402 ($77) | $53 | + 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,623 ($5.23) | $11 | - 50% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 32% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 778 prices entered by 97 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 12, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00199
USD
/
CRC
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $8,000 in Tacoma, Washington you would need to make just about $5,470 (₡ 2,741,760) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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