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: ₡ 1,768,258
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: ₡ 782,055
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is more expensive than in 87% of cities in Latin America (5 out of 30)
  • Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is cheaper than in 57% of cities in the World (130 out of 227)
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List of prices in San Jose, Costa Rica
Current as of May 2023.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district ₡ 7,580
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) ₡ 4,678
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast ₡ 2,431
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk ₡ 986
12 eggs, large ₡ 2,161
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes ₡ 1,206
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese ₡ 3,002
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples ₡ 1,980
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes ₡ 1,246
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket ₡ 898
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality ₡ 8,246
2 liters of coca-cola ₡ 1,614
Bread for 2 people for 1 day ₡ 883
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area ₡ 587,935
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area ₡ 319,371
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat ₡ 33,405
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area ₡ 410,086
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area ₡ 245,106
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio ₡ 26,184
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) ₡ 15,583
40” flat screen tv ₡ 248,490
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) ₡ 66,647
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) ₡ 9,134
Hourly rate for cleaning help ₡ 2,566
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) ₡ 39,120
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) ₡ 22,318
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) ₡ 57,164
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes ₡ 36,902
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new ₡ 16,942,700
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas ₡ 865
Monthly ticket public transport ₡ 29,044
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) ₡ 7,910
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) ₡ 3,885
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) ₡ 10,693
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) ₡ 34,334
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) ₡ 3,378
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) ₡ 2,962
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) ₡ 3,549
4 rolls of toilet paper ₡ 1,693
Tube of toothpaste ₡ 1,583
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city ₡ 8,277
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub ₡ 12,544
2 tickets to the movies ₡ 6,794
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) ₡ 15,323
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert ₡ 31,121
1 cocktail drink in downtown club ₡ 5,318
Cappuccino in expat area of the city ₡ 2,953
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) ₡ 1,378
Ipad wi-fi 128gb ₡ 393,813
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) ₡ 43
1 month of gym membership in business district ₡ 32,285
1 package of marlboro cigarettes ₡ 2,382
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 828 prices entered by 86 different people.
Latest price update: May 28, 2023

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
130th
out of 227
latin america
5th
out of 30

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

latin america
3rd
latin america
3rd
latin america
4th
latin america
4th
latin america
4th
latin america
4th

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International Cost of Living Index

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Prices recently added

  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Hong Kong costs HK$100 (12 minutes ago)
  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Ho Chi Minh City costs 30,090 ₫ (19 minutes ago)
  • Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Luxembourg costs €1,500 (about 1 hour ago)
  • Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Cadiz costs €1,000 (about 1 hour ago)
  • One-way ticket in public transport in Bogotá costs COL$3,000 (about 2 hours ago)
  • Sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) in Vicenza costs €100 (about 3 hours ago)

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