Cost of living in Albania compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
Food | - 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 33% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Albania | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 932 Lek (₡ 4,990) | ₡ 6,711 | - 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 608 Lek (₡ 3,257) | ₡ 4,580 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 471 Lek (₡ 2,520) | ₡ 2,453 | + 3% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 186 Lek (₡ 996) | ₡ 992 | + 0% | |
12 eggs, large | 298 Lek (₡ 1,593) | ₡ 2,216 | - 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 128 Lek (₡ 684) | ₡ 1,227 | - 44% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 458 Lek (₡ 2,453) | ₡ 2,567 | - 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 151 Lek (₡ 811) | ₡ 2,112 | - 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 104 Lek (₡ 558) | ₡ 1,432 | - 61% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 98 Lek (₡ 523) | ₡ 945 | - 45% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,256 Lek (₡ 6,725) | ₡ 11,346 | - 41% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 184 Lek (₡ 986) | ₡ 1,606 | - 39% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 91 Lek (₡ 486) | ₡ 928 | - 48% | |
Housing | + 57% | |||
Housing in Albania is 57% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Albania | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 87,956 Lek (₡ 470,973) | ₡ 572,782 | - 18% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 52,797 Lek (₡ 282,709) | ₡ 306,580 | - 8% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 22,203 Lek (₡ 118,888) | ₡ 28,067 | + 324% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 58,016 Lek (₡ 310,651) | ₡ 389,387 | - 20% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 222,231 Lek (₡ 1,189,964) | ₡ 241,078 | + 394% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,081 Lek (₡ 107,524) | ₡ 20,040 | + 437% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 4,527 Lek (₡ 24,241) | ₡ 16,566 | + 46% | |
40” flat screen tv | 40,000 Lek (₡ 214,185) | ₡ 219,739 | - 3% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 30,000 Lek (₡ 160,639) | ₡ 64,053 | + 151% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,216 Lek (₡ 6,509) | ₡ 4,676 | + 39% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,059 Lek (₡ 5,673) | ₡ 2,380 | + 138% | |
Clothes | - 12% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 12% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Albania | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,779 Lek (₡ 20,234) | ₡ 39,090 | - 48% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 4,266 Lek (₡ 22,840) | ₡ 24,720 | - 8% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 8,939 Lek (₡ 47,864) | ₡ 55,387 | - 14% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 13,207 Lek (₡ 70,717) | ₡ 40,513 | + 75% | |
Transportation | - 45% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 45% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Albania | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 994,106 Lek (₡ 5,323,067) | ₡ 15,068,800 | - 65% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 208 Lek (₡ 1,115) | ₡ 778 | + 43% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,552 Lek (₡ 8,310) | ₡ 25,124 | - 67% | |
Personal Care | - 24% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 24% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
Albania | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,200 Lek (₡ 6,426) | ₡ 3,367 | + 91% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,000 Lek (₡ 5,355) | ₡ 10,814 | - 50% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,108 Lek (₡ 16,640) | ₡ 36,912 | - 55% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 949 Lek (₡ 5,084) | ₡ 2,538 | + 100% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 366 Lek (₡ 1,959) | ₡ 2,787 | - 30% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 534 Lek (₡ 2,861) | ₡ 3,472 | - 18% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 262 Lek (₡ 1,401) | ₡ 1,578 | - 11% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 312 Lek (₡ 1,669) | ₡ 1,482 | + 13% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 729 Lek (₡ 3,903) | ₡ 5,876 | - 34% | |
Entertainment | + 17% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 17% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
Albania | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,000 Lek (₡ 16,064) | ₡ 11,648 | + 38% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,769 Lek (₡ 9,473) | ₡ 7,007 | + 35% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₡ 13,222 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,547 Lek (₡ 24,350) | ₡ 25,393 | - 4% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,322 Lek (₡ 7,078) | ₡ 4,285 | + 65% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 239 Lek (₡ 1,281) | ₡ 2,666 | - 52% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 397 Lek (₡ 2,127) | ₡ 1,382 | + 54% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (₡ 401,597) | ₡ 332,838 | + 21% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 25 Lek (₡ 134) | ₡ 51 | + 163% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,661 Lek (₡ 19,603) | ₡ 32,853 | - 40% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 326 Lek (₡ 1,747) | ₡ 2,705 | - 35% | |
TOTAL | - 9% |

These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
5.355
CRC
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ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 9% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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