Cost of Living in Costa Rica
Summary of cost of living in Costa Rica:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,341.8$ (1,678,679.4₡), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 900.1$ (452,127.4₡), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in Costa Rica is, on average, 22.6% lower than in United States.
- Rent in Costa Rica is, on average, 53.4% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 5,000.00 ₡ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 30,000.00 ₡ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 5,000.00 ₡ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 1,500.00 ₡ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 2,200.00 ₡ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 1,979.13 ₡ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 1,061.41 ₡ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 850.87 ₡ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1,060.54 ₡ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 1,440.53 ₡ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 566.01 ₡ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 1,693.31 ₡ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 2,104.45 ₡ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 2,137.56 ₡ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 2,996.82 ₡ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 1,008.97 ₡ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 350.03 ₡ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 746.85 ₡ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 702.97 ₡ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 670.67 ₡ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 630.41 ₡ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 502.56 ₡ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 1,243.12 ₡ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 7,500.00 ₡ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1,197.42 ₡ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 1,426.08 ₡ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 2,500.00 ₡ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 500.00 ₡ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 29,300.00 ₡ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 927.50 ₡ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 1,609.34 ₡ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 3,725.00 ₡ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 740.27 ₡ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 18,225,000.00 ₡ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 18,087,772.79 ₡ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 44,468.82 ₡ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 13,626.65 ₡ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 27,056.85 ₡ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 28,649.57 ₡ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 15,558.33 ₡ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 4,500.00 ₡ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 263,168.09 ₡ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 5,053,205.41 ₡ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 36,520.00 ₡ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 26,917.00 ₡ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 59,050.50 ₡ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 50,854.17 ₡ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 416,466.80 ₡ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 282,310.78 ₡ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 762,133.94 ₡ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 501,891.08 ₡ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 118,617.24 ₡ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 65,324.18 ₡ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 509,336.86 ₡ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 10.76 |
Prices in Costa Rica
This country had 1720 entries in the past 12 months by 150 different contributors.
Last update: 7 November 2025
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 7 November 2025
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Sources and References
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This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Costa Rica
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 PortuguêsCusto de Vida na Costa Rica
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 ItalianoCosto della vita in Costa Rica
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 FrançaisCoût de la vie au Costa Rica
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 EspañolCoste de vida en Costa Rica
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