Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Summary of cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: ₡ 1,705,959
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: ₡ 763,444
  • San Jose, Costa Rica is the 4th most expensive city in Latin America (4 out of 25)
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is cheaper than in 56% of cities in the World (81 out of 145)
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List of prices in San Jose, Costa Rica
Current as of Apr 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district ₡ 7,117
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) ₡ 4,573
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast ₡ 1,959
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk ₡ 1,067
12 eggs, large ₡ 2,026
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes ₡ 1,336
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese ₡ 3,568
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples ₡ 1,676
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes ₡ 1,782
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket ₡ 1,095
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality ₡ 10,757
2 liters of coca-cola ₡ 1,551
Bread for 2 people for 1 day ₡ 932
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area ₡ 544,292
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area ₡ 340,901
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat ₡ 39,914
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area ₡ 469,413
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area ₡ 277,545
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio ₡ 33,591
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) ₡ 17,448
40” flat screen tv ₡ 224,686
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) ₡ 79,046
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) ₡ 5,178
Hourly rate for cleaning help ₡ 2,688
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) ₡ 27,618
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) ₡ 24,361
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) ₡ 67,726
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes ₡ 42,786
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new ₡ 15,013,800
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas ₡ 699
Monthly ticket public transport ₡ 22,912
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) ₡ 7,929
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) ₡ 3,467
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) ₡ 9,654
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) ₡ 38,057
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) ₡ 4,966
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) ₡ 3,177
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) ₡ 4,805
4 rolls of toilet paper ₡ 1,540
Tube of toothpaste ₡ 1,971
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city ₡ 10,103
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub ₡ 17,616
2 tickets to the movies ₡ 7,031
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) ₡ 15,430
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert ₡ 32,874
1 cocktail drink in downtown club ₡ 5,851
Cappuccino in expat area of the city ₡ 2,820
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) ₡ 1,387
Ipad wi-fi 128gb ₡ 328,046
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) ₡ 40
1 month of gym membership in business district ₡ 35,837
1 package of marlboro cigarettes ₡ 2,680
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 596 prices entered by 67 different people.
Latest price update: April 27, 2025

Moving to San Jose, Costa Rica with your children?

International Schools in San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, CRI position in our World Ranking

the world
81st
out of 145
latin america
4th
out of 25

Cheapest and most expensive products in San Jose, CRI compared to other cities:

the world
3rd
latin america
1st
latin america
2nd
latin america
2nd
latin america
2nd
latin america
3rd

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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new

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International Cost of Living Index

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Prices recently added

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