Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 83% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 83% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,926 (101元) | 42元 | + 139% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,573 (66元) | 36元 | + 83% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,838 (27元) | 15元 | + 80% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,067 (15元) | 14元 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,026 (29元) | 16元 | + 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,336 (19元) | 11元 | + 84% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,568 (52元) | 50元 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,676 (24元) | 16元 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,782 (26元) | 7元 | + 290% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,095 (16元) | 7元 | + 138% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 10,757 (156元) | 94元 | + 66% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,551 (23元) | 9元 | + 161% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 932 (14元) | 13元 | + 8% | |
| Housing | + 0% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is about the same as in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 544,292 (7,907元) | 12,689元 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 340,901 (4,952元) | 5,937元 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 39,914 (580元) | 450元 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (6,819元) | 6,875元 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (4,032元) | 3,656元 | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (488元) | 296元 | + 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (253元) | 100元 | + 154% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (3,264元) | 1,460元 | + 124% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 (1,113元) | 553元 | + 101% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 (102元) | 43元 | + 138% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (39元) | 55元 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 21% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 (457元) | 418元 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (354元) | 296元 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 67,726 (984元) | 553元 | + 78% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 (634元) | 705元 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | + 40% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 40% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 (234,834元) | 148,726元 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (10元) | 8元 | + 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 22,176 (322元) | 228元 | + 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 50% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (52元) | 51元 | + 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (125元) | 84元 | + 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 38,057 (553元) | 114元 | + 386% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (81元) | 67元 | + 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 (42元) | 57元 | - 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 (72元) | 25元 | + 189% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 (25元) | 7元 | + 257% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 (24元) | 13元 | + 93% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 9,525 (138元) | 85元 | + 64% | |
| Entertainment | + 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 26% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Costa Rica | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 18,361 (267元) | 178元 | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 (102元) | 109元 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (400元) | 1,179元 | - 66% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,103 (539元) | 320元 | + 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,622 (82元) | 81元 | + 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,945 (43元) | 28元 | + 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,387 (20元) | 15元 | + 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 262,661 (3,816元) | 3,924元 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (0.55元) | 0.34元 | + 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,837 (521元) | 414元 | + 26% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 (37元) | 25元 | + 49% | |
| TOTAL | + 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01453
CNY
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,379 prices entered by 188 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 34% more expensive than in China
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