Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Colombia
Currency:
| Food | + 65% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 65% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,696 (COL$54,473) | COL$34,211 | + 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,528 (COL$36,835) | COL$27,608 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,056 (COL$16,727) | COL$11,032 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,079 (COL$8,778) | COL$4,805 | + 83% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,013 (COL$16,372) | COL$9,863 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,238 (COL$10,073) | COL$4,267 | + 136% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,523 (COL$28,663) | COL$13,538 | + 112% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,663 (COL$13,533) | COL$9,629 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,127 (COL$9,168) | COL$4,134 | + 122% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,109 (COL$9,025) | COL$4,070 | + 122% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,643 (COL$62,178) | COL$48,560 | + 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,605 (COL$13,055) | COL$6,801 | + 92% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 862 (COL$7,014) | COL$3,600 | + 95% | |
| Housing | + 37% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 37% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 531,806 (COL$4,326,333) | COL$3,517,450 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 302,309 (COL$2,459,335) | COL$2,023,960 | + 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,345 (COL$311,945) | COL$357,355 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 405,996 (COL$3,302,847) | COL$2,069,580 | + 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 274,784 (COL$2,235,415) | COL$1,134,200 | + 97% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 32,004 (COL$260,358) | COL$251,608 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,730 (COL$119,829) | COL$74,378 | + 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 173,979 (COL$1,415,349) | COL$1,338,700 | + 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 71,408 (COL$580,913) | COL$405,448 | + 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,640 (COL$29,613) | COL$22,339 | + 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,436 (COL$19,816) | COL$16,826 | + 18% | |
| Clothes | + 20% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 34,706 (COL$282,337) | COL$219,475 | + 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,914 (COL$162,005) | COL$139,891 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,772 (COL$469,988) | COL$383,146 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,378 (COL$361,019) | COL$304,982 | + 18% | |
| Transportation | + 39% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 39% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,456,600 (COL$117,606,908) | COL$74,807,700 | + 57% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 717 (COL$5,832) | COL$4,108 | + 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,345 (COL$206,188) | COL$149,828 | + 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 83% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 83% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,650 (COL$29,691) | COL$21,927 | + 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,605 (COL$70,001) | COL$25,940 | + 170% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,401 (COL$287,991) | COL$128,585 | + 124% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,926 (COL$31,939) | COL$25,927 | + 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,224 (COL$26,224) | COL$15,599 | + 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,584 (COL$29,155) | COL$18,522 | + 57% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,401 (COL$11,398) | COL$8,658 | + 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 (COL$16,560) | COL$5,992 | + 176% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,754 (COL$71,216) | COL$32,606 | + 118% | |
| Entertainment | + 67% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 67% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Costa Rica | Colombia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 (COL$134,521) | COL$55,217 | + 144% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 (COL$55,853) | COL$31,285 | + 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,181 (COL$123,497) | COL$162,954 | - 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,075 (COL$269,073) | COL$139,175 | + 93% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,076 (COL$41,291) | COL$37,067 | + 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,832 (COL$31,174) | COL$10,819 | + 188% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,506 (COL$12,248) | COL$6,088 | + 101% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 (COL$2,721,727) | COL$2,656,900 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 41 (COL$332) | COL$284 | + 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,103 (COL$301,842) | COL$138,737 | + 118% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,793 (COL$22,723) | COL$9,263 | + 145% | |
| TOTAL | + 50% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 17, 2024.
Exchange rate:
8.135
COP
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,410 prices entered by 773 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 50% more expensive than in Colombia
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