Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Colombia
Currency:
| Food | + 77% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 77% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 5,864 (COL$35,155) | COL$22,163 | + 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 3,943 (COL$23,641) | COL$17,399 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 1,819 (COL$10,902) | COL$7,175 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 840 (COL$5,036) | COL$2,725 | + 85% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,706 (COL$10,227) | COL$5,366 | + 91% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,067 (COL$6,396) | COL$2,706 | + 136% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 2,758 (COL$16,533) | COL$7,890 | + 110% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,965 (COL$11,781) | COL$5,400 | + 118% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 959 (COL$5,752) | COL$2,150 | + 168% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,054 (COL$6,320) | COL$2,956 | + 114% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,433 (COL$56,549) | COL$40,401 | + 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,531 (COL$9,178) | COL$4,258 | + 116% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 735 (COL$4,405) | COL$2,112 | + 109% | |
| Housing | + 40% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 40% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 566,613 (COL$3,396,861) | COL$2,511,470 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 278,738 (COL$1,671,042) | COL$1,209,550 | + 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 37,389 (COL$224,146) | COL$228,819 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 465,082 (COL$2,788,180) | COL$1,466,550 | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 229,175 (COL$1,373,911) | COL$835,540 | + 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 24,475 (COL$146,729) | COL$154,971 | - 5% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,436 (COL$92,542) | COL$71,573 | + 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 188,597 (COL$1,130,644) | COL$1,193,560 | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,903 (COL$347,133) | COL$329,861 | + 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 4,422 (COL$26,513) | COL$18,413 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,275 (COL$13,640) | COL$10,902 | + 25% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 35,853 (COL$214,942) | COL$165,716 | + 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 20,140 (COL$120,737) | COL$102,750 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 51,359 (COL$307,897) | COL$246,689 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 46,668 (COL$279,777) | COL$202,909 | + 38% | |
| Transportation | + 14% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 14% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 11,655,100 (COL$69,872,661) | COL$59,447,200 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 588 (COL$3,525) | COL$2,375 | + 48% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 23,064 (COL$138,266) | COL$129,448 | + 7% | |
| Personal Care | + 79% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 79% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 4,978 (COL$29,842) | COL$15,522 | + 92% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 6,819 (COL$40,879) | COL$14,001 | + 192% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 44,377 (COL$266,040) | COL$83,864 | + 217% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,034 (COL$18,188) | COL$16,949 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,399 (COL$14,380) | COL$12,178 | + 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,440 (COL$20,625) | COL$15,341 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,593 (COL$9,552) | COL$6,178 | + 55% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,319 (COL$7,908) | COL$4,636 | + 71% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,324 (COL$43,905) | COL$20,878 | + 110% | |
| Entertainment | + 55% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 55% more expensive than in Colombia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,943 (COL$77,595) | COL$32,999 | + 135% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,929 (COL$35,542) | COL$23,833 | + 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,811 (COL$100,784) | COL$90,041 | + 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 29,833 (COL$178,847) | COL$95,330 | + 88% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,957 (COL$23,723) | COL$22,507 | + 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,206 (COL$13,225) | COL$7,771 | + 70% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,416 (COL$8,487) | COL$3,462 | + 145% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 302,259 (COL$1,812,051) | COL$1,793,200 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 46 (COL$276) | COL$240 | + 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,582 (COL$225,302) | COL$118,538 | + 90% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,221 (COL$13,315) | COL$8,343 | + 60% | |
| TOTAL | + 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 04, 2021.
Exchange rate:
5.995
COP
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,546 prices entered by 1,020 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 44% more expensive than in Colombia
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