Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Argentina
Currency:
| Food | + 80% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 80% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,148 (ARS $930) | ARS $650 | + 43% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,966 (ARS $600) | ARS $472 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,833 (ARS $277) | ARS $156 | + 77% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 860 (ARS $130) | ARS $68 | + 91% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,738 (ARS $263) | ARS $146 | + 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,084 (ARS $164) | ARS $90 | + 83% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,522 (ARS $382) | ARS $283 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,993 (ARS $301) | ARS $109 | + 177% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 945 (ARS $143) | ARS $51 | + 178% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,047 (ARS $158) | ARS $82 | + 92% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,609 (ARS $1,454) | ARS $288 | + 405% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,534 (ARS $232) | ARS $147 | + 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 727 (ARS $110) | ARS $40 | + 178% | |
| Housing | + 86% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 86% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 576,198 (ARS $87,168) | ARS $38,191 | + 128% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 282,668 (ARS $42,762) | ARS $24,742 | + 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,372 (ARS $5,654) | ARS $4,412 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 491,271 (ARS $74,320) | ARS $26,419 | + 181% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 233,712 (ARS $35,356) | ARS $17,258 | + 105% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 25,480 (ARS $3,855) | ARS $3,526 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,445 (ARS $2,337) | ARS $1,429 | + 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 199,597 (ARS $30,195) | ARS $36,537 | - 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,172 (ARS $9,103) | ARS $15,908 | - 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,622 (ARS $699) | ARS $362 | + 93% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,290 (ARS $346) | ARS $271 | + 28% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,583 (ARS $5,534) | ARS $4,088 | + 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,003 (ARS $3,177) | ARS $2,633 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,069 (ARS $8,180) | ARS $7,494 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,240 (ARS $7,600) | ARS $6,180 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | + 32% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 32% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (ARS $1,763,196) | ARS $2,098,550 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (ARS $89) | ARS $72 | + 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (ARS $3,489) | ARS $1,636 | + 113% | |
| Personal Care | + 139% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 139% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (ARS $753) | ARS $298 | + 153% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (ARS $1,032) | ARS $629 | + 64% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (ARS $6,713) | ARS $1,229 | + 446% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (ARS $459) | ARS $278 | + 65% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (ARS $363) | ARS $170 | + 114% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (ARS $520) | ARS $228 | + 128% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (ARS $241) | ARS $119 | + 103% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (ARS $200) | ARS $135 | + 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (ARS $1,108) | ARS $521 | + 113% | |
| Entertainment | + 16% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 16% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (ARS $1,958) | ARS $1,392 | + 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (ARS $897) | ARS $701 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (ARS $2,543) | ARS $2,334 | + 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (ARS $4,513) | ARS $2,298 | + 96% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (ARS $599) | ARS $430 | + 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (ARS $334) | ARS $172 | + 94% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (ARS $214) | ARS $162 | + 32% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (ARS $45,726) | ARS $67,861 | - 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (ARS $7) | ARS $19 | - 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (ARS $5,685) | ARS $2,077 | + 174% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (ARS $336) | ARS $181 | + 85% | |
| TOTAL | + 56% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 16, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.15128
ARS
/
CRC
*
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,024 prices entered by 1,457 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 56% more expensive than in Argentina
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