Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Colombia
Currency:
| Food | + 109% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 109% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,983 (COL$57,761) | COL$29,859 | + 93% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,046 (COL$41,740) | COL$23,319 | + 79% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,290 (COL$18,941) | COL$10,345 | + 83% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 950 (COL$7,856) | COL$4,069 | + 93% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,505 (COL$20,720) | COL$8,999 | + 130% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,253 (COL$10,364) | COL$4,238 | + 145% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,625 (COL$29,985) | COL$11,006 | + 172% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,138 (COL$17,689) | COL$7,494 | + 136% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,462 (COL$12,096) | COL$3,902 | + 210% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 964 (COL$7,975) | COL$3,737 | + 113% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,480 (COL$70,148) | COL$47,265 | + 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,743 (COL$14,414) | COL$5,495 | + 162% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 952 (COL$7,878) | COL$2,930 | + 169% | |
| Housing | + 82% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 82% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 605,171 (COL$5,005,897) | COL$2,854,620 | + 75% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 321,439 (COL$2,658,902) | COL$1,584,450 | + 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,122 (COL$315,339) | COL$273,670 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 426,773 (COL$3,530,212) | COL$1,785,200 | + 98% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 227,481 (COL$1,881,694) | COL$1,083,580 | + 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 35,538 (COL$293,963) | COL$181,491 | + 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 18,732 (COL$154,945) | COL$72,184 | + 115% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 294,698 (COL$2,437,704) | COL$1,442,580 | + 69% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 73,990 (COL$612,033) | COL$441,401 | + 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 5,379 (COL$44,495) | COL$21,313 | + 109% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,980 (COL$24,651) | COL$13,423 | + 84% | |
| Clothes | + 57% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 57% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,077 (COL$314,965) | COL$198,026 | + 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,568 (COL$203,219) | COL$124,303 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 54,233 (COL$448,609) | COL$320,960 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 39,819 (COL$329,374) | COL$234,404 | + 41% | |
| Transportation | + 101% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 101% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 18,383,000 (COL$152,061,821) | COL$67,720,600 | + 125% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 919 (COL$7,599) | COL$3,182 | + 139% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 33,571 (COL$277,698) | COL$136,735 | + 103% | |
| Personal Care | + 135% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 135% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (COL$32,029) | COL$17,358 | + 85% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (COL$91,354) | COL$22,158 | + 312% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (COL$301,817) | COL$100,322 | + 201% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (COL$25,127) | COL$19,457 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (COL$24,500) | COL$12,402 | + 98% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (COL$29,879) | COL$16,672 | + 79% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (COL$13,969) | COL$7,152 | + 95% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (COL$12,833) | COL$5,808 | + 121% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (COL$62,114) | COL$26,616 | + 133% | |
| Entertainment | + 86% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 86% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,210 (COL$101,003) | COL$41,264 | + 145% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,793 (COL$56,195) | COL$28,589 | + 97% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 14,186 (COL$117,347) | COL$121,749 | - 4% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (COL$277,489) | COL$111,963 | + 148% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (COL$37,561) | COL$29,663 | + 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (COL$20,937) | COL$9,567 | + 119% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,353 (COL$11,193) | COL$4,620 | + 142% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 403,893 (COL$3,340,951) | COL$2,641,590 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 50 (COL$411) | COL$218 | + 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,270 (COL$275,204) | COL$117,334 | + 135% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,507 (COL$20,741) | COL$8,070 | + 157% | |
| TOTAL | + 98% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
8.272
COP
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,636 prices entered by 1,000 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 98% more expensive than in Colombia
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