Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Argentina
Currency:
| Food | + 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 14% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,983 (ARS $2,300) | ARS $3,458 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,046 (ARS $1,662) | ARS $1,711 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,290 (ARS $754) | ARS $602 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 950 (ARS $313) | ARS $224 | + 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,505 (ARS $825) | ARS $431 | + 92% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,253 (ARS $413) | ARS $376 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,625 (ARS $1,194) | ARS $789 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,138 (ARS $704) | ARS $458 | + 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,462 (ARS $482) | ARS $242 | + 99% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 964 (ARS $317) | ARS $288 | + 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,480 (ARS $2,793) | ARS $1,230 | + 127% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,743 (ARS $574) | ARS $423 | + 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 952 (ARS $314) | ARS $151 | + 108% | |
| Housing | + 47% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 47% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 605,171 (ARS $199,293) | ARS $143,999 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 321,439 (ARS $105,855) | ARS $78,449 | + 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,122 (ARS $12,554) | ARS $9,392 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 426,773 (ARS $140,543) | ARS $97,570 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 227,481 (ARS $74,913) | ARS $48,774 | + 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,538 (ARS $11,703) | ARS $8,693 | + 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,732 (ARS $6,169) | ARS $3,008 | + 105% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 294,698 (ARS $97,049) | ARS $85,263 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 73,990 (ARS $24,366) | ARS $41,322 | - 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,379 (ARS $1,771) | ARS $1,191 | + 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,980 (ARS $981) | ARS $709 | + 39% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,077 (ARS $12,539) | ARS $17,063 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,568 (ARS $8,090) | ARS $11,990 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,233 (ARS $17,860) | ARS $29,699 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,819 (ARS $13,113) | ARS $25,428 | - 48% | |
| Transportation | + 90% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 90% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 18,383,000 (ARS $6,053,822) | ARS $4,962,250 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 919 (ARS $303) | ARS $180 | + 68% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 33,571 (ARS $11,056) | ARS $3,472 | + 218% | |
| Personal Care | + 70% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 70% more expensive than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (ARS $1,275) | ARS $1,260 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (ARS $3,637) | ARS $2,033 | + 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (ARS $12,016) | ARS $2,975 | + 304% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (ARS $1,000) | ARS $910 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (ARS $975) | ARS $519 | + 88% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (ARS $1,190) | ARS $680 | + 75% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (ARS $556) | ARS $462 | + 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (ARS $511) | ARS $413 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (ARS $2,473) | ARS $1,755 | + 41% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Argentina | ||||
| Costa Rica | Argentina | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,210 (ARS $4,021) | ARS $4,437 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,793 (ARS $2,237) | ARS $1,836 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 14,186 (ARS $4,672) | ARS $5,667 | - 18% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (ARS $11,047) | ARS $6,667 | + 66% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (ARS $1,495) | ARS $1,350 | + 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (ARS $834) | ARS $829 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,353 (ARS $446) | ARS $609 | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 403,893 (ARS $133,009) | ARS $192,920 | - 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (ARS $16) | ARS $53 | - 69% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,270 (ARS $10,956) | ARS $7,133 | + 54% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,507 (ARS $826) | ARS $459 | + 80% | |
| TOTAL | + 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.32932
ARS
/
CRC
*
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,772 prices entered by 1,053 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 31% more expensive than in Argentina
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