Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,413 (AU$23) | AU$22 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,617 (AU$14) | AU$16 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,037 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,086 (AU$3.33) | AU$1.92 | + 73% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (AU$5.53) | AU$8 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (AU$4.49) | AU$5.94 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (AU$10) | AU$9 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,873 (AU$5.75) | AU$5.03 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (AU$5.78) | AU$3.81 | + 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (AU$3.48) | AU$7 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,896 (AU$30) | AU$22 | + 41% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (AU$4.86) | AU$3.97 | + 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 956 (AU$2.93) | AU$2.57 | + 14% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 596,217 (AU$1,831) | AU$3,994 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 369,442 (AU$1,134) | AU$2,720 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (AU$127) | AU$251 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (AU$1,441) | AU$2,834 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (AU$852) | AU$2,188 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (AU$103) | AU$190 | - 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (AU$54) | AU$66 | - 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (AU$690) | AU$780 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 (AU$235) | AU$219 | + 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 (AU$22) | AU$15 | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (AU$8) | AU$39 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 (AU$97) | AU$122 | - 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (AU$75) | AU$97 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (AU$200) | AU$170 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 (AU$134) | AU$182 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 38% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 (AU$49,636) | AU$39,643 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (AU$2.15) | AU$1.94 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 18,757 (AU$58) | AU$141 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | + 42% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 42% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (AU$11) | AU$10 | + 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (AU$26) | AU$23 | + 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (AU$138) | AU$82 | + 68% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (AU$17) | AU$8 | + 128% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 (AU$9) | AU$5.28 | + 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 (AU$15) | AU$7 | + 107% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 (AU$5.25) | AU$4.36 | + 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 (AU$5.10) | AU$4.58 | + 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,894 (AU$33) | AU$39 | - 13% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,895 (AU$55) | AU$74 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 (AU$22) | AU$47 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (AU$85) | AU$356 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (AU$116) | AU$141 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 6,034 (AU$19) | AU$22 | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (AU$9) | AU$5.48 | + 60% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (AU$4.32) | AU$12 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 322,458 (AU$990) | AU$863 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (AU$0.12) | AU$0.77 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (AU$108) | AU$94 | + 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 (AU$8) | AU$45 | - 82% | |
| TOTAL | - 32% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00307
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,262 prices entered by 262 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 32% cheaper than in Australia
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Argentina is 35% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 56% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 13% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in Andorra is 6% cheaper than in Australia
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Australia
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 32% more expensive than in Australia
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Australia
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 18% cheaper than in Australia