Cost of Living in Costa Rica
Summary of cost of living in Costa Rica:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $3,557.7 (₡1,619,123.9), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $958.0 (₡435,966.7), 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, 43.5% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | ₡5,230.60 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | ₡25,000.00 | |
| 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) | ₡2,045.87 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | ₡2,057.71 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | ₡1,077.58 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | ₡848.98 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | ₡1,083.41 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | ₡1,459.48 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | ₡560.86 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | ₡1,811.17 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | ₡2,115.43 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | ₡2,128.11 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | ₡2,837.58 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | ₡1,029.77 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | ₡345.67 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | ₡726.60 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | ₡684.53 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | ₡694.67 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | ₡654.65 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | ₡513.81 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | ₡1,221.61 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₡7,000.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | ₡1,227.54 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | ₡1,462.17 | |
| 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) | ₡1,007.50 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | ₡1,504.74 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | ₡4,112.50 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | ₡719.11 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | ₡15,473,385.14 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | ₡17,271,194.62 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | ₡43,376.15 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | ₡14,187.93 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | ₡26,574.16 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | ₡30,130.61 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | ₡10,153.85 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | ₡3,750.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | ₡335,047.20 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | ₡5,801,025.94 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | ₡34,468.65 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | ₡25,282.45 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | ₡59,215.73 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | ₡49,262.04 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | ₡390,555.71 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | ₡295,421.48 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | ₡790,349.12 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | ₡539,029.54 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | ₡103,384.25 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | ₡69,689.06 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₡481,057.95 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 9.56 | |
Prices in Costa Rica
This country had 1357 entries in the past 12 months by 100 different contributors.
Last update: 15 October 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 15 October 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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