Cost of living in Ecuador compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Ecuador is 28% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $11 (₡ 5,366) | ₡ 6,274 | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (₡ 3,533) | ₡ 4,671 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.98 (₡ 1,513) | ₡ 2,118 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.13 (₡ 573) | ₡ 1,083 | - 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.44 (₡ 1,237) | ₡ 1,851 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.34 (₡ 681) | ₡ 1,215 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.09 (₡ 2,582) | ₡ 2,952 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $1.78 (₡ 904) | ₡ 1,691 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.21 (₡ 613) | ₡ 1,164 | - 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.81 (₡ 920) | ₡ 1,083 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $12 (₡ 6,146) | ₡ 7,101 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.18 (₡ 1,108) | ₡ 1,650 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.11 (₡ 565) | ₡ 857 | - 34% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Ecuador is 24% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $825 (₡ 418,631) | ₡ 542,164 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $470 (₡ 238,265) | ₡ 323,059 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $49 (₡ 25,047) | ₡ 41,915 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $528 (₡ 267,911) | ₡ 429,356 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $346 (₡ 175,613) | ₡ 242,935 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $39 (₡ 19,570) | ₡ 41,769 | - 53% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $23 (₡ 11,538) | ₡ 15,934 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $391 (₡ 198,082) | ₡ 166,800 | + 19% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $138 (₡ 69,904) | ₡ 72,835 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $7 (₡ 3,669) | ₡ 3,988 | - 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $12 (₡ 5,978) | ₡ 2,652 | + 125% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Ecuador is about the same as in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $62 (₡ 31,528) | ₡ 32,063 | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (₡ 21,575) | ₡ 21,057 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $101 (₡ 51,198) | ₡ 59,753 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $82 (₡ 41,692) | ₡ 44,351 | - 6% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Ecuador is 36% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,223 (₡ 11,272,481) | ₡ 15,345,500 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.17 (₡ 593) | ₡ 715 | - 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $27 (₡ 13,505) | ₡ 26,133 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Ecuador is 31% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $6 (₡ 3,111) | ₡ 3,238 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $10 (₡ 4,839) | ₡ 8,605 | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $42 (₡ 21,280) | ₡ 35,369 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.31 (₡ 2,693) | ₡ 5,073 | - 47% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.55 (₡ 2,306) | ₡ 3,224 | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (₡ 3,149) | ₡ 3,584 | - 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.35 (₡ 1,190) | ₡ 1,401 | - 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.09 (₡ 1,059) | ₡ 2,036 | - 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $12 (₡ 6,285) | ₡ 10,992 | - 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Ecuador is 8% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Ecuador | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $21 (₡ 10,600) | ₡ 16,536 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $13 (₡ 6,363) | ₡ 6,866 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $68 (₡ 34,388) | ₡ 15,181 | + 127% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $41 (₡ 20,889) | ₡ 33,867 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (₡ 6,010) | ₡ 5,454 | + 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $3.57 (₡ 1,811) | ₡ 3,355 | - 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $2.38 (₡ 1,205) | ₡ 1,485 | - 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $616 (₡ 312,414) | ₡ 334,563 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (₡ 109) | ₡ 38 | + 187% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $41 (₡ 20,790) | ₡ 33,277 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $5.13 (₡ 2,603) | ₡ 2,793 | - 7% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 26, 2024.
Exchange rate:
507.253
CRC
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,310 prices entered by 208 different people.
Cost of living in Ecuador is 26% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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