Cost of Living in Costa Rica
Summary of cost of living in Costa Rica:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,571.9$ (1,628,945.6₡), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 962.4$ (438,900.8₡), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in Costa Rica is, on average, 18.2% lower than in United States.
- Rent in Costa Rica is, on average, 43.8% 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) | 26,000.00 ₡ | |
| 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) | 2,052.18 ₡ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 1,980.15 ₡ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 1,077.58 ₡ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 868.16 ₡ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1,068.70 ₡ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 1,394.56 ₡ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 560.08 ₡ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 1,684.30 ₡ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 2,010.04 ₡ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 2,140.53 ₡ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 2,961.47 ₡ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 1,047.21 ₡ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 346.91 ₡ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 734.43 ₡ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 681.84 ₡ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 686.40 ₡ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 626.99 ₡ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 520.47 ₡ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 1,273.29 ₡ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 7,500.00 ₡ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1,202.96 ₡ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 1,479.86 ₡ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 2,500.00 ₡ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 500.00 ₡ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 30,000.00 ₡ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 1,000.00 ₡ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 1,467.85 ₡ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 3,725.00 ₡ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 724.47 ₡ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 15,400,000.00 ₡ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 16,704,411.24 ₡ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 43,260.01 ₡ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 13,635.20 ₡ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 27,127.79 ₡ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 28,840.11 ₡ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 11,475.00 ₡ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 4,000.00 ₡ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 341,205.51 ₡ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 5,932,400.65 ₡ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 35,772.16 ₡ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 25,292.99 ₡ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 59,195.12 ₡ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 51,256.79 ₡ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 415,917.78 ₡ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 296,125.52 ₡ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 792,458.81 ₡ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 533,447.69 ₡ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 97,816.29 ₡ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 68,433.93 ₡ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 497,447.53 ₡ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 9.71 | |
Prices in Costa Rica
This country had 991 entries in the past 12 months by 80 different contributors.
Last update: 13 April 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 13 April 2026
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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