Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,148 (€8) | €18 | - 54% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,966 (€5.41) | €8 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,833 (€2.50) | €4.60 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 860 (€1.17) | €1.02 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,738 (€2.37) | €3.86 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,084 (€1.48) | €2.44 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,522 (€3.44) | €4.99 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,993 (€2.72) | €2.35 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 945 (€1.29) | €1.60 | - 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,047 (€1.43) | €1.78 | - 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,609 (€13) | €7 | + 81% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,534 (€2.09) | €2.31 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 727 (€0.99) | €1.30 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 576,198 (€787) | €1,154 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 282,668 (€386) | €910 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,372 (€51) | €138 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 491,271 (€671) | €833 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 233,712 (€319) | €626 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 25,480 (€35) | €98 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,445 (€21) | €38 | - 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 199,597 (€272) | €370 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 60,172 (€82) | €136 | - 40% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,622 (€6) | €11 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,290 (€3.13) | €10 | - 70% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 31% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 36,583 (€50) | €86 | - 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 21,003 (€29) | €39 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,069 (€74) | €81 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 50,240 (€69) | €111 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (€15,910) | €25,450 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (€0.80) | €1.33 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (€31) | €49 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | + 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 7% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (€7) | €5.50 | + 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (€9) | €10 | - 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (€61) | €34 | + 78% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (€4.14) | €5.19 | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (€3.27) | €3.29 | - 0% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (€4.70) | €3.50 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (€2.17) | €2.13 | + 2% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (€1.80) | €2.32 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (€10) | €27 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 44% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (€18) | €48 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (€8) | €22 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (€23) | €55 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (€41) | €65 | - 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (€5.40) | €10 | - 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (€3.01) | €3.19 | - 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (€1.93) | €4.06 | - 52% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (€413) | €440 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (€0.06) | €0.30 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (€51) | €48 | + 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (€3.03) | €7 | - 57% | |
| TOTAL | - 36% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 14, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00137
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,973 prices entered by 205 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 36% cheaper than in Belgium
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