Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,392 (AU$18) | AU$21 | - 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,913 (AU$15) | AU$13 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,397 (AU$5.93) | AU$6 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 946 (AU$2.34) | AU$1.72 | + 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,829 (AU$4.53) | AU$6 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,072 (AU$2.65) | AU$7 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,544 (AU$6) | AU$8 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,882 (AU$4.66) | AU$4.46 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,314 (AU$3.25) | AU$3.21 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 819 (AU$2.03) | AU$5.83 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,199 (AU$25) | AU$19 | + 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,609 (AU$3.98) | AU$3.64 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 881 (AU$2.18) | AU$2.76 | - 21% | |
| Housing | - 51% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 51% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 612,533 (AU$1,516) | AU$2,993 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 311,687 (AU$772) | AU$2,138 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 36,277 (AU$90) | AU$264 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 434,774 (AU$1,076) | AU$2,001 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 220,326 (AU$545) | AU$1,548 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 30,467 (AU$75) | AU$219 | - 66% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 20,372 (AU$50) | AU$74 | - 32% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 254,535 (AU$630) | AU$542 | + 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 75,778 (AU$188) | AU$325 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,385 (AU$13) | AU$13 | + 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,946 (AU$7) | AU$35 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | - 19% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 19% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,079 (AU$89) | AU$106 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 23,859 (AU$59) | AU$73 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,178 (AU$142) | AU$152 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 40,590 (AU$100) | AU$165 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 18,382,400 (AU$45,511) | AU$32,133 | + 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 918 (AU$2.27) | AU$2.00 | + 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 33,247 (AU$82) | AU$167 | - 51% | |
| Personal Care | + 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 26% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,543 (AU$9) | AU$10 | - 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 13,840 (AU$34) | AU$20 | + 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,236 (AU$87) | AU$75 | + 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,304 (AU$8) | AU$6 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,967 (AU$7) | AU$5.12 | + 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,624 (AU$9) | AU$5.83 | + 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,617 (AU$4.00) | AU$3.48 | + 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,537 (AU$3.81) | AU$3.63 | + 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,402 (AU$21) | AU$32 | - 35% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 13,246 (AU$33) | AU$63 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,608 (AU$16) | AU$39 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 14,296 (AU$35) | AU$210 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,798 (AU$79) | AU$105 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,767 (AU$12) | AU$18 | - 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,768 (AU$7) | AU$4.99 | + 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,330 (AU$3.29) | AU$9 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 491,521 (AU$1,217) | AU$645 | + 89% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (AU$0.12) | AU$0.24 | - 49% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,820 (AU$84) | AU$74 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,501 (AU$6) | AU$41 | - 85% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 30, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00248
AUD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,349 prices entered by 436 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Australia
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