Cost of living in Germany compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Germany is 9% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Germany | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €19 (₡ 11,143) | ₡ 6,926 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (₡ 6,340) | ₡ 4,573 | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.16 (₡ 2,975) | ₡ 1,838 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.32 (₡ 762) | ₡ 1,067 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.17 (₡ 2,402) | ₡ 2,026 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.64 (₡ 1,525) | ₡ 1,336 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 (₡ 3,486) | ₡ 3,568 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.75 (₡ 1,588) | ₡ 1,676 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.84 (₡ 1,060) | ₡ 1,782 | - 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.07 (₡ 616) | ₡ 1,095 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 (₡ 3,963) | ₡ 10,757 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.10 (₡ 1,208) | ₡ 1,551 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.62 (₡ 933) | ₡ 932 | + 0% | |
| Housing | + 63% | |||
| Housing in Germany is 63% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Germany | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,762 (₡ 1,015,948) | ₡ 544,292 | + 87% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,319 (₡ 760,554) | ₡ 340,901 | + 123% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €234 (₡ 134,660) | ₡ 39,914 | + 237% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,136 (₡ 655,266) | ₡ 469,413 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €850 (₡ 490,363) | ₡ 277,545 | + 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €157 (₡ 90,484) | ₡ 33,591 | + 169% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €26 (₡ 14,871) | ₡ 17,448 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €382 (₡ 220,211) | ₡ 224,686 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €100 (₡ 57,499) | ₡ 76,607 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 (₡ 4,488) | ₡ 7,046 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €16 (₡ 9,371) | ₡ 2,688 | + 249% | |
| Clothes | + 20% | |||
| Clothes in Germany is 20% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Germany | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €84 (₡ 48,672) | ₡ 31,452 | + 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €42 (₡ 24,263) | ₡ 24,361 | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €95 (₡ 55,062) | ₡ 67,726 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €150 (₡ 86,270) | ₡ 43,671 | + 98% | |
| Transportation | + 24% | |||
| Transportation in Germany is 24% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Germany | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €27,263 (₡ 15,721,833) | ₡ 16,164,800 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.75 (₡ 1,010) | ₡ 699 | + 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €52 (₡ 29,830) | ₡ 22,176 | + 35% | |
| Personal Care | - 28% | |||
| Personal Care in Germany is 28% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Germany | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €8 (₡ 4,436) | ₡ 3,614 | + 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 (₡ 4,577) | ₡ 8,586 | - 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €69 (₡ 39,509) | ₡ 38,057 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.30 (₡ 2,482) | ₡ 5,595 | - 56% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.81 (₡ 1,619) | ₡ 2,884 | - 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.10 (₡ 1,791) | ₡ 4,972 | - 64% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.70 (₡ 981) | ₡ 1,709 | - 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.78 (₡ 1,029) | ₡ 1,659 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €22 (₡ 12,878) | ₡ 9,525 | + 35% | |
| Entertainment | + 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Germany is 23% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Germany | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €42 (₡ 24,391) | ₡ 18,361 | + 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €27 (₡ 15,422) | ₡ 7,004 | + 120% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €160 (₡ 92,186) | ₡ 27,540 | + 235% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €61 (₡ 35,234) | ₡ 37,103 | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 (₡ 6,357) | ₡ 5,622 | + 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.14 (₡ 2,390) | ₡ 2,945 | - 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.34 (₡ 2,503) | ₡ 1,387 | + 80% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €585 (₡ 337,221) | ₡ 262,661 | + 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.09 (₡ 54) | ₡ 38 | + 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €38 (₡ 21,899) | ₡ 35,837 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €9 (₡ 5,106) | ₡ 2,567 | + 99% | |
| TOTAL | + 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
576.667
CRC
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,371 prices entered by 328 different people.
Cost of living in Germany is 24% more expensive than in Costa Rica
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Armenia is 4% cheaper than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Argentina is about the same as in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 93% more expensive than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 49% more expensive than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 22% more expensive than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Angola is 38% cheaper than in Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Andorra is 39% more expensive than in Costa Rica