Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 16% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,983 (€12) | €18 | - 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,046 (€8) | €10 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,290 (€3.78) | €5.61 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 950 (€1.57) | €1.16 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,505 (€4.14) | €4.92 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,253 (€2.07) | €2.94 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,625 (€5.99) | €7 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,138 (€3.53) | €2.17 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,462 (€2.42) | €2.31 | + 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 964 (€1.59) | €1.84 | - 13% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,480 (€14) | €10 | + 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,743 (€2.88) | €3.19 | - 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 952 (€1.57) | €1.57 | - 0% | |
| Housing | - 34% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 605,171 (€1,000) | €1,268 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 321,439 (€531) | €1,045 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,122 (€63) | €215 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 426,773 (€705) | €899 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 227,481 (€376) | €711 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,538 (€59) | €104 | - 44% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,732 (€31) | €39 | - 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 294,698 (€487) | €856 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 73,990 (€122) | €200 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,379 (€9) | €16 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,728 (€4.51) | €11 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | - 46% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 46% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,077 (€63) | €105 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,568 (€41) | €85 | - 52% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,233 (€90) | €106 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,819 (€66) | €122 | - 46% | |
| Transportation | - 4% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 18,383,000 (€30,367) | €38,224 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 919 (€1.52) | €1.85 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 33,571 (€55) | €49 | + 12% | |
| Personal Care | + 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 21% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (€6) | €9 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (€18) | €12 | + 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (€60) | €26 | + 129% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (€5.02) | €5.15 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (€4.89) | €5.00 | - 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (€5.97) | €3.77 | + 58% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (€2.79) | €1.90 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (€2.56) | €2.17 | + 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (€12) | €25 | - 50% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 23% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,210 (€20) | €47 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,793 (€11) | €27 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 14,186 (€23) | €72 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (€55) | €59 | - 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (€8) | €12 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (€4.18) | €3.31 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,353 (€2.24) | €4.60 | - 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 403,893 (€667) | €550 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (€0.08) | €0.25 | - 67% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,270 (€55) | €17 | + 214% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,507 (€4.14) | €8 | - 50% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00165
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,109 prices entered by 161 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 18% cheaper than in Belgium
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