Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,148 (AU$13) | AU$18 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,966 (AU$8) | AU$12 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,833 (AU$3.86) | AU$6.00 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 860 (AU$1.81) | AU$1.48 | + 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,738 (AU$3.66) | AU$5.66 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,084 (AU$2.28) | AU$4.85 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,522 (AU$5.32) | AU$7 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,993 (AU$4.20) | AU$4.67 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 945 (AU$1.99) | AU$3.10 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,047 (AU$2.21) | AU$5.34 | - 59% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,609 (AU$20) | AU$18 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,534 (AU$3.24) | AU$2.90 | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 727 (AU$1.53) | AU$2.55 | - 40% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 60% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 576,198 (AU$1,215) | AU$3,147 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 282,668 (AU$596) | AU$2,142 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,372 (AU$79) | AU$245 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 491,271 (AU$1,036) | AU$2,002 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 233,712 (AU$493) | AU$1,485 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 25,480 (AU$54) | AU$177 | - 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,445 (AU$33) | AU$58 | - 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 199,597 (AU$421) | AU$469 | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,172 (AU$127) | AU$244 | - 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,622 (AU$10) | AU$12 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,290 (AU$4.83) | AU$32 | - 85% | |
| Clothes | - 27% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,583 (AU$77) | AU$101 | - 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,003 (AU$44) | AU$65 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,069 (AU$114) | AU$136 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,240 (AU$106) | AU$141 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 54% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (AU$24,573) | AU$28,149 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (AU$1.24) | AU$1.37 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (AU$49) | AU$158 | - 69% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 5% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (AU$10) | AU$9 | + 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (AU$14) | AU$16 | - 12% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (AU$94) | AU$66 | + 41% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (AU$5.06) | AU$4.67 | + 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (AU$7) | AU$7 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (AU$3.36) | AU$3.14 | + 7% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (AU$2.78) | AU$3.85 | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (AU$15) | AU$29 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (AU$27) | AU$56 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (AU$12) | AU$36 | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (AU$35) | AU$218 | - 84% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (AU$63) | AU$90 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (AU$8) | AU$17 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (AU$4.65) | AU$4.48 | + 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (AU$2.98) | AU$9 | - 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (AU$637) | AU$659 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (AU$0.10) | AU$0.51 | - 81% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (AU$79) | AU$69 | + 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (AU$4.68) | AU$36 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 16, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00211
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,513 prices entered by 526 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 48% cheaper than in Australia
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