Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United Arab Emirates
Currency:
| Food | - 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Costa Rica is about the same as in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 6,696 (Dirham 47) | Dirham 48 | - 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,528 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 33 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,022 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 20 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 1,079 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 6 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,063 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 13 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,238 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 5.96 | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,523 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 30 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,663 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 9 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,127 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 4.01 | + 96% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 1,109 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 11 | - 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 7,643 (Dirham 53) | Dirham 65 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,605 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 8 | + 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 862 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 4.96 | + 21% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Costa Rica is 57% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 531,806 (Dirham 3,711) | Dirham 8,258 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 302,309 (Dirham 2,109) | Dirham 6,444 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 38,345 (Dirham 268) | Dirham 765 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 405,996 (Dirham 2,833) | Dirham 7,148 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 274,784 (Dirham 1,917) | Dirham 4,290 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 32,004 (Dirham 223) | Dirham 529 | - 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 14,730 (Dirham 103) | Dirham 234 | - 56% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 173,979 (Dirham 1,214) | Dirham 810 | + 50% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 71,408 (Dirham 498) | Dirham 323 | + 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 3,640 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 39 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,436 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 48 | - 64% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in Costa Rica is 23% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 34,706 (Dirham 242) | Dirham 203 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 19,914 (Dirham 139) | Dirham 205 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,772 (Dirham 403) | Dirham 465 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 44,378 (Dirham 310) | Dirham 592 | - 48% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Costa Rica is about the same as in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 14,456,600 (Dirham 100,875) | Dirham 116,523 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 717 (Dirham 5.00) | Dirham 3.03 | + 65% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 25,345 (Dirham 177) | Dirham 187 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | - 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Costa Rica is 5% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,650 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 22 | + 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 8,605 (Dirham 60) | Dirham 74 | - 19% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 35,401 (Dirham 247) | Dirham 356 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,926 (Dirham 27) | Dirham 26 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 3,224 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 17 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,584 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 22 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,401 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 11 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 2,036 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 19 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,754 (Dirham 61) | Dirham 50 | + 21% | |
| Entertainment | - 37% | |||
| Entertainment in Costa Rica is 37% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Costa Rica | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 16,536 (Dirham 115) | Dirham 185 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,866 (Dirham 48) | Dirham 90 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,181 (Dirham 106) | Dirham 454 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 33,075 (Dirham 231) | Dirham 371 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,076 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 83 | - 57% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 3,299 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 25 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,506 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 38 | - 73% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 334,563 (Dirham 2,335) | Dirham 2,148 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 41 (Dirham 0.29) | Dirham 0.73 | - 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 37,103 (Dirham 259) | Dirham 278 | - 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,793 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 18 | + 6% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,510 prices entered by 318 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 11, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00698
AED
/
CRC
Cost of living in Costa Rica is 27% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
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