Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 42% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is 42% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 8,247 (CHF 14) | CHF 26 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 5,107 (CHF 9) | CHF 15 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,307 (CHF 3.92) | CHF 12 | - 68% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 984 (CHF 1.67) | CHF 1.72 | - 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,016 (CHF 3.42) | CHF 8 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,153 (CHF 1.96) | CHF 4.26 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 4,180 (CHF 7) | CHF 12 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,429 (CHF 4.12) | CHF 3.76 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,191 (CHF 2.02) | CHF 2.39 | - 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 900 (CHF 1.53) | CHF 1.87 | - 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,475 (CHF 14) | CHF 15 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,649 (CHF 2.80) | CHF 2.50 | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 919 (CHF 1.56) | CHF 2.68 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 62% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 592,020 (CHF 1,005) | CHF 3,102 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 300,344 (CHF 510) | CHF 2,354 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,035 (CHF 65) | CHF 189 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 402,494 (CHF 683) | CHF 1,763 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 232,028 (CHF 394) | CHF 1,318 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 29,406 (CHF 50) | CHF 101 | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 17,100 (CHF 29) | CHF 54 | - 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 250,782 (CHF 426) | CHF 479 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 70,487 (CHF 120) | CHF 106 | + 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 12,281 (CHF 21) | CHF 12 | + 74% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,755 (CHF 4.68) | CHF 32 | - 85% | |
| Clothes | - 24% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 24% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 38,857 (CHF 66) | CHF 101 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 23,998 (CHF 41) | CHF 44 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 55,702 (CHF 95) | CHF 116 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 (CHF 63) | CHF 161 | - 61% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is 26% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,283,000 (CHF 27,646) | CHF 31,963 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 905 (CHF 1.54) | CHF 1.97 | - 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 30,682 (CHF 52) | CHF 79 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,872 (CHF 7) | CHF 15 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 11,044 (CHF 19) | CHF 35 | - 46% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 36,487 (CHF 62) | CHF 130 | - 52% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,038 (CHF 5.16) | CHF 5.29 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 (CHF 5.03) | CHF 4.05 | + 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,612 (CHF 6) | CHF 4.98 | + 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,689 (CHF 2.87) | CHF 2.82 | + 2% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,551 (CHF 2.63) | CHF 3.07 | - 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 7,509 (CHF 13) | CHF 49 | - 74% | |
| Entertainment | - 51% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 51% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Costa Rica | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 11,094 (CHF 19) | CHF 64 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,850 (CHF 12) | CHF 36 | - 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 16,000 (CHF 27) | CHF 85 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,546 (CHF 57) | CHF 116 | - 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 4,541 (CHF 8) | CHF 17 | - 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,531 (CHF 4.30) | CHF 4.65 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,355 (CHF 2.30) | CHF 6 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 403,893 (CHF 686) | CHF 813 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 45 (CHF 0.08) | CHF 0.28 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 33,420 (CHF 57) | CHF 91 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,530 (CHF 4.30) | CHF 9 | - 52% | |
| TOTAL | - 45% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00170
CHF
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,743 prices entered by 234 different people.
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 45% cheaper than in Switzerland
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