Cost of living in United States compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 30% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United States | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (₡ 9,983) | ₡ 7,580 | + 32% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (₡ 5,354) | ₡ 4,678 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.78 (₡ 3,103) | ₡ 2,431 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (₡ 580) | ₡ 986 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.96 (₡ 2,661) | ₡ 2,161 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.81 (₡ 2,580) | ₡ 1,206 | + 114% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (₡ 3,767) | ₡ 3,002 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.69 (₡ 2,516) | ₡ 1,980 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.52 (₡ 1,352) | ₡ 1,246 | + 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.12 (₡ 1,675) | ₡ 898 | + 86% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (₡ 8,431) | ₡ 8,246 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.74 (₡ 1,473) | ₡ 1,614 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.05 (₡ 1,637) | ₡ 883 | + 85% | |
| Housing | + 169% | |||
| Housing in United States is 169% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United States | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,847 (₡ 1,528,442) | ₡ 587,935 | + 160% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,153 (₡ 1,155,535) | ₡ 319,371 | + 262% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $221 (₡ 118,637) | ₡ 33,405 | + 255% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,884 (₡ 1,011,124) | ₡ 410,086 | + 147% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,438 (₡ 771,763) | ₡ 245,106 | + 215% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $149 (₡ 79,919) | ₡ 26,184 | + 205% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (₡ 34,122) | ₡ 15,583 | + 119% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $295 (₡ 158,271) | ₡ 248,490 | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $136 (₡ 73,070) | ₡ 66,647 | + 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (₡ 7,328) | ₡ 5,570 | + 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 (₡ 16,666) | ₡ 2,566 | + 550% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Costa Rica | ||||
| United States | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (₡ 29,166) | ₡ 39,120 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (₡ 24,086) | ₡ 22,318 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 (₡ 49,887) | ₡ 57,164 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $121 (₡ 65,080) | ₡ 36,902 | + 76% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 17% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United States | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,744 (₡ 14,893,198) | ₡ 16,942,700 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (₡ 565) | ₡ 871 | - 35% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (₡ 42,504) | ₡ 29,044 | + 46% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 29% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United States | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (₡ 4,277) | ₡ 3,872 | + 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 (₡ 11,492) | ₡ 11,044 | + 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (₡ 74,534) | ₡ 34,334 | + 117% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (₡ 4,536) | ₡ 3,038 | + 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.83 (₡ 2,591) | ₡ 2,962 | - 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (₡ 3,359) | ₡ 3,612 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.78 (₡ 2,567) | ₡ 1,689 | + 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.24 (₡ 1,200) | ₡ 1,583 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (₡ 14,634) | ₡ 8,277 | + 77% | |
| Entertainment | + 53% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 53% more expensive than in Costa Rica | ||||
| United States | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $55 (₡ 29,545) | ₡ 12,544 | + 136% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (₡ 14,874) | ₡ 6,794 | + 119% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $200 (₡ 107,242) | ₡ 16,000 | + 570% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $89 (₡ 47,573) | ₡ 31,121 | + 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (₡ 7,277) | ₡ 5,318 | + 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.19 (₡ 2,787) | ₡ 2,953 | - 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (₡ 3,359) | ₡ 1,378 | + 144% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $567 (₡ 304,564) | ₡ 435,667 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (₡ 107) | ₡ 45 | + 141% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (₡ 29,254) | ₡ 32,285 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (₡ 5,511) | ₡ 2,530 | + 118% | |
| TOTAL | + 55% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
536.804
CRC
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,651 prices entered by 2,895 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 55% more expensive than in Costa Rica
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