Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 14% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,580 (C$19) | C$23 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,678 (C$12) | C$13 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,431 (C$6) | C$8 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 986 (C$2.45) | C$2.95 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,161 (C$5.37) | C$5.30 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,206 (C$3.00) | C$4.93 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,002 (C$7) | C$9 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,980 (C$4.92) | C$4.84 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,246 (C$3.10) | C$2.98 | + 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 898 (C$2.23) | C$3.38 | - 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,246 (C$21) | C$18 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,614 (C$4.01) | C$2.82 | + 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 883 (C$2.20) | C$2.98 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 50% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 587,935 (C$1,463) | C$2,751 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 319,371 (C$794) | C$2,158 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 33,405 (C$83) | C$198 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 410,086 (C$1,020) | C$1,761 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 245,106 (C$610) | C$1,448 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 26,184 (C$65) | C$131 | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,583 (C$39) | C$74 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 248,490 (C$618) | C$452 | + 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 66,647 (C$166) | C$192 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,570 (C$14) | C$15 | - 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,566 (C$6) | C$29 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,120 (C$97) | C$78 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,318 (C$56) | C$55 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,164 (C$142) | C$119 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (C$92) | C$146 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,942,700 (C$42,146) | C$30,155 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 871 (C$2.17) | C$1.71 | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 29,044 (C$72) | C$110 | - 35% | |
| Personal Care | - 3% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (C$10) | C$13 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (C$27) | C$31 | - 11% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,334 (C$85) | C$96 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (C$8) | C$9 | - 17% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (C$7) | C$6 | + 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (C$9) | C$6 | + 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (C$4.20) | C$4.26 | - 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,583 (C$3.94) | C$3.45 | + 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,277 (C$21) | C$31 | - 33% | |
| Entertainment | - 33% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 33% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Costa Rica | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,544 (C$31) | C$66 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,794 (C$17) | C$31 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,000 (C$40) | C$127 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,121 (C$77) | C$106 | - 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,318 (C$13) | C$14 | - 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,953 (C$7) | C$5.15 | + 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,378 (C$3.43) | C$7 | - 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 435,667 (C$1,084) | C$774 | + 40% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (C$0.11) | C$0.42 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,285 (C$80) | C$63 | + 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,530 (C$6) | C$17 | - 63% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00249
CAD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,851 prices entered by 895 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Canada
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