Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 20% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,413 (₩20,256) | ₩9,765 | + 107% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,617 (₩12,616) | ₩7,842 | + 61% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,037 (₩5,565) | ₩6,173 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,086 (₩2,968) | ₩2,807 | + 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,801 (₩4,922) | ₩5,741 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,461 (₩3,991) | ₩4,811 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,280 (₩8,963) | ₩12,501 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,873 (₩5,119) | ₩9,424 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,882 (₩5,144) | ₩5,136 | + 0% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,132 (₩3,093) | ₩2,193 | + 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 9,896 (₩27,040) | ₩17,855 | + 51% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,582 (₩4,322) | ₩2,567 | + 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 956 (₩2,611) | ₩2,396 | + 9% | |
| Housing | - 15% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 15% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 596,217 (₩1,629,122) | ₩2,774,520 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 369,442 (₩1,009,475) | ₩1,871,850 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 41,421 (₩113,181) | ₩253,476 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 469,413 (₩1,282,639) | ₩1,187,220 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 277,545 (₩758,373) | ₩668,010 | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 33,591 (₩91,786) | ₩129,315 | - 29% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,448 (₩47,675) | ₩14,224 | + 235% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 224,686 (₩613,939) | ₩329,300 | + 86% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 76,607 (₩209,324) | ₩103,135 | + 103% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 7,046 (₩19,253) | ₩8,313 | + 132% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,688 (₩7,344) | ₩14,992 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 31,452 (₩85,940) | ₩73,672 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 24,361 (₩66,566) | ₩52,272 | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 65,140 (₩177,991) | ₩80,092 | + 122% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 43,671 (₩119,328) | ₩105,969 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | + 3% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,164,800 (₩44,169,210) | ₩32,060,200 | + 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 699 (₩1,911) | ₩1,602 | + 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 18,624 (₩50,890) | ₩59,463 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 24% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 24% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,614 (₩9,874) | ₩4,502 | + 119% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,586 (₩23,462) | ₩6,351 | + 269% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 45,048 (₩123,090) | ₩200,000 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 5,595 (₩15,288) | ₩13,556 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,884 (₩7,881) | ₩4,165 | + 89% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 4,972 (₩13,586) | ₩5,776 | + 135% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,709 (₩4,669) | ₩4,807 | - 3% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,659 (₩4,534) | ₩1,903 | + 138% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 10,894 (₩29,766) | ₩29,466 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 38% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Costa Rica | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 17,895 (₩48,896) | ₩26,839 | + 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 7,004 (₩19,137) | ₩26,278 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 27,540 (₩75,252) | ₩106,145 | - 29% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 37,831 (₩103,370) | ₩71,900 | + 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 6,034 (₩16,488) | ₩9,866 | + 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,855 (₩7,801) | ₩5,410 | + 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,406 (₩3,840) | ₩4,787 | - 20% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 312,484 (₩853,841) | ₩590,662 | + 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 38 (₩103) | ₩1,375 | - 92% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 35,256 (₩96,335) | ₩61,701 | + 56% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,567 (₩7,014) | ₩4,513 | + 55% | |
| TOTAL | - 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.732
KRW
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,167 prices entered by 220 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 5% cheaper than in South Korea
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