Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 17% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,632 (€12) | €19 | - 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,600 (€9) | €11 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,968 (€3.64) | €5.79 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,107 (€2.05) | €1.28 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,038 (€3.77) | €3.78 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,378 (€2.55) | €6 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,221 (€5.96) | €6 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,678 (€3.11) | €2.59 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,630 (€3.02) | €2.11 | + 43% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,084 (€2.01) | €2.08 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,341 (€17) | €8 | + 126% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,557 (€2.88) | €3.05 | - 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 891 (€1.65) | €2.00 | - 18% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 539,231 (€998) | €1,327 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 331,404 (€614) | €1,170 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 42,537 (€79) | €265 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 438,529 (€812) | €873 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 285,596 (€529) | €663 | - 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,314 (€65) | €154 | - 57% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,647 (€33) | €54 | - 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 207,090 (€383) | €302 | + 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 77,559 (€144) | €110 | + 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 6,812 (€13) | €17 | - 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,763 (€5.12) | €12 | - 57% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 11% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 30,752 (€57) | €89 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,577 (€42) | €42 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,562 (€131) | €83 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 45,015 (€83) | €120 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 22% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,174,200 (€29,949) | €32,008 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 698 (€1.29) | €1.67 | - 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 20,734 (€38) | €55 | - 31% | |
| Personal Care | + 3% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (€7) | €12 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (€16) | €14 | + 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,057 (€70) | €30 | + 136% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (€10) | €5.29 | + 96% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,658 (€7) | €9 | - 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,852 (€7) | €4.92 | + 45% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,754 (€3.25) | €3.01 | + 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,149 (€3.98) | €4.00 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,685 (€20) | €29 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 40% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Costa Rica | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,029 (€33) | €43 | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,058 (€13) | €26 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (€51) | €90 | - 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 36,113 (€67) | €140 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,513 (€10) | €12 | - 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,982 (€5.52) | €3.51 | + 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,411 (€2.61) | €5.03 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 279,856 (€518) | €561 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (€0.07) | €0.25 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,666 (€66) | €82 | - 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,306 (€4.27) | €11 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00185
EUR
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 898 prices entered by 130 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Belgium
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