Cost of living in Italy compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Italy is 11% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Italy | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €17 (₡ 9,709) | ₡ 6,842 | + 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (₡ 6,201) | ₡ 4,572 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.45 (₡ 3,108) | ₡ 1,976 | + 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.53 (₡ 874) | ₡ 1,086 | - 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.49 (₡ 2,565) | ₡ 1,801 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.73 (₡ 2,126) | ₡ 1,461 | + 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 (₡ 4,339) | ₡ 3,280 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.40 (₡ 1,369) | ₡ 1,740 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.70 (₡ 971) | ₡ 1,882 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.65 (₡ 943) | ₡ 1,132 | - 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 (₡ 4,687) | ₡ 9,744 | - 52% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.55 (₡ 1,456) | ₡ 1,582 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.53 (₡ 872) | ₡ 937 | - 7% | |
| Housing | + 28% | |||
| Housing in Italy is 28% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Italy | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,393 (₡ 794,873) | ₡ 574,882 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €917 (₡ 523,328) | ₡ 363,154 | + 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €145 (₡ 82,504) | ₡ 41,421 | + 99% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,004 (₡ 572,958) | ₡ 469,413 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €726 (₡ 414,144) | ₡ 277,545 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €130 (₡ 74,005) | ₡ 33,591 | + 120% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €25 (₡ 14,362) | ₡ 17,448 | - 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €295 (₡ 168,112) | ₡ 224,686 | - 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €140 (₡ 79,970) | ₡ 76,607 | + 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €5.66 (₡ 3,229) | ₡ 7,046 | - 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 (₡ 6,087) | ₡ 2,688 | + 126% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in Italy is 10% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Italy | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €79 (₡ 45,330) | ₡ 31,452 | + 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €41 (₡ 23,318) | ₡ 24,361 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €98 (₡ 55,952) | ₡ 65,140 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €96 (₡ 55,069) | ₡ 43,671 | + 26% | |
| Transportation | + 14% | |||
| Transportation in Italy is 14% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Italy | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €25,973 (₡ 14,824,043) | ₡ 16,164,800 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.76 (₡ 1,006) | ₡ 699 | + 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €39 (₡ 22,127) | ₡ 18,757 | + 18% | |
| Personal Care | - 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Italy is 7% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Italy | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 (₡ 5,422) | ₡ 3,614 | + 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €15 (₡ 8,490) | ₡ 8,586 | - 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €106 (₡ 60,457) | ₡ 45,048 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.64 (₡ 3,218) | ₡ 5,595 | - 42% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.74 (₡ 2,136) | ₡ 2,884 | - 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.36 (₡ 1,921) | ₡ 4,972 | - 61% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.06 (₡ 1,174) | ₡ 1,709 | - 31% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.68 (₡ 960) | ₡ 1,659 | - 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €20 (₡ 11,301) | ₡ 10,894 | + 4% | |
| Entertainment | + 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Italy is 11% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Italy | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €41 (₡ 23,605) | ₡ 17,895 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €18 (₡ 10,034) | ₡ 7,004 | + 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €91 (₡ 52,087) | ₡ 27,540 | + 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €66 (₡ 37,835) | ₡ 37,831 | + 0% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €8 (₡ 4,775) | ₡ 6,034 | - 21% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.12 (₡ 1,212) | ₡ 2,855 | - 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €5.19 (₡ 2,963) | ₡ 1,406 | + 111% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €677 (₡ 386,598) | ₡ 322,458 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₡ 38 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €52 (₡ 29,839) | ₡ 35,256 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €6 (₡ 3,472) | ₡ 2,567 | + 35% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
570.755
CRC
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,897 prices entered by 254 different people.
Cost of living in Italy is 14% more expensive than in Costa Rica
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