Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Bolivia
Currency:
| Food | + 91% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 91% more expensive than in Bolivia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Bolivia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,842 ($b93) | $b52 | + 79% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,572 ($b62) | $b40 | + 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,976 ($b27) | $b15 | + 79% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,086 ($b15) | $b7 | + 109% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 ($b25) | $b14 | + 69% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 ($b20) | $b9 | + 121% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 ($b45) | $b23 | + 92% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,740 ($b24) | $b16 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 ($b26) | $b8 | + 229% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 ($b15) | $b11 | + 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,744 ($b133) | $b59 | + 124% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 ($b22) | $b12 | + 79% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 937 ($b13) | $b4.13 | + 209% | |
| Housing | + 75% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 75% more expensive than in Bolivia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Bolivia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 574,882 ($b7,829) | $b3,684 | + 113% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 363,154 ($b4,946) | $b2,803 | + 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 ($b564) | $b378 | + 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 ($b6,393) | $b2,703 | + 137% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 ($b3,780) | $b2,465 | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 ($b457) | $b297 | + 54% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 ($b238) | $b164 | + 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 ($b3,060) | $b3,482 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 ($b1,043) | $b1,253 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 ($b96) | $b54 | + 79% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 ($b37) | $b24 | + 52% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 16% more expensive than in Bolivia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Bolivia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 ($b428) | $b438 | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 ($b332) | $b268 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 ($b887) | $b632 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 ($b595) | $b568 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | + 67% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 67% more expensive than in Bolivia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Bolivia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 ($b220,150) | $b144,748 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 ($b10) | $b3.75 | + 154% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 18,757 ($b255) | $b148 | + 72% | |
| Personal Care | + 90% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 90% more expensive than in Bolivia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Bolivia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 ($b49) | $b35 | + 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 ($b117) | $b69 | + 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 ($b614) | $b202 | + 204% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 ($b76) | $b20 | + 274% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 ($b39) | $b25 | + 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 ($b68) | $b39 | + 75% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 ($b23) | $b12 | + 94% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 ($b23) | $b21 | + 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,894 ($b148) | $b65 | + 128% | |
| Entertainment | + 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 35% more expensive than in Bolivia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Bolivia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,895 ($b244) | $b57 | + 328% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 ($b95) | $b102 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 ($b375) | $b152 | + 147% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 ($b515) | $b185 | + 179% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 6,034 ($b82) | $b47 | + 74% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 ($b39) | $b27 | + 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 ($b19) | $b22 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 322,458 ($b4,392) | $b4,257 | + 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 ($b0.52) | $b1.40 | - 63% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 ($b480) | $b328 | + 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 ($b35) | $b16 | + 117% | |
| TOTAL | + 67% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01362
BOB
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,208 prices entered by 140 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 67% more expensive than in Bolivia
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