Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,696 (C$18) | C$25 | - 29% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,528 (C$12) | C$15 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,056 (C$5.40) | C$11 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,079 (C$2.83) | C$3.15 | - 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,013 (C$5.28) | C$5.68 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,238 (C$3.25) | C$5.55 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,523 (C$9) | C$13 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,663 (C$4.37) | C$5.38 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,127 (C$2.96) | C$3.82 | - 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,109 (C$2.91) | C$3.83 | - 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,643 (C$20) | C$22 | - 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,605 (C$4.21) | C$3.38 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 862 (C$2.26) | C$2.75 | - 18% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 531,806 (C$1,396) | C$3,003 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 302,309 (C$794) | C$2,450 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,345 (C$101) | C$233 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 405,996 (C$1,066) | C$2,135 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 274,784 (C$721) | C$1,655 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 32,004 (C$84) | C$126 | - 33% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,730 (C$39) | C$71 | - 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 173,979 (C$457) | C$399 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 71,408 (C$187) | C$209 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,640 (C$10) | C$15 | - 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,436 (C$6) | C$32 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 8% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 34,706 (C$91) | C$85 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,914 (C$52) | C$61 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,772 (C$152) | C$137 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,378 (C$117) | C$164 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,456,600 (C$37,958) | C$32,565 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 717 (C$1.88) | C$1.65 | + 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,345 (C$67) | C$114 | - 42% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 12% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,650 (C$10) | C$13 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,605 (C$23) | C$31 | - 26% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,401 (C$93) | C$133 | - 30% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,926 (C$10) | C$11 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,224 (C$8) | C$8 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,584 (C$9) | C$7 | + 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,401 (C$3.68) | C$4.10 | - 10% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 (C$5.34) | C$3.63 | + 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,754 (C$23) | C$32 | - 28% | |
| Entertainment | - 34% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 (C$43) | C$72 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 (C$18) | C$33 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,181 (C$40) | C$241 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,075 (C$87) | C$131 | - 33% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,076 (C$13) | C$15 | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,832 (C$10) | C$5.88 | + 71% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,506 (C$3.95) | C$8 | - 52% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 (C$878) | C$704 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 41 (C$0.11) | C$0.43 | - 75% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,103 (C$97) | C$61 | + 60% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,793 (C$7) | C$18 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 16, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00263
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,016 prices entered by 754 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 34% cheaper than in Canada
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