Cost of Living in Acosta - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,022 (excluding rent), and $1,590 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,199 (excluding rent), and $3,272 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.9 ₡4,834

$6.92 ₡3,382

$21.76 ₡10.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.1 ₡25K

$39.33 ₡19.2K

$98.3 ₡48K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.15 ₡4,959

$9.74 ₡4,760

$12.17 ₡5,946

Cappuccino

$3.84 ₡1,876

$2.03 ₡993

$7.07 ₡3,454

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2 ₡979

$1.55 ₡756

$3.16 ₡1,542

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.6 ₡781

$1.17 ₡574

$1.96 ₡959

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.01 ₡1,472

$2.01 ₡983

$5.03 ₡2,455

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.69 ₡2,292

$2.99 ₡1,462

$6 ₡2,930

Milk (1 liter)

$1.97 ₡964

$1.46 ₡715

$2.73 ₡1,334

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 ₡1,358

$1.22 ₡595

$4.49 ₡2,193

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.2 ₡1,077

$1.8 ₡880

$4.01 ₡1,957

Eggs

$2.94 ₡1,435

$1.97 ₡964

$4.73 ₡2,312

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.18 ₡4,971

$4.07 ₡1,988

$20.34 ₡9,937

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.04 ₡4,416

$4.93 ₡2,407

$12.62 ₡6,164

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.79 ₡6,737

$10.04 ₡4,904

$16.05 ₡7,841

Apples (1kg)

$4.43 ₡2,164

$2.74 ₡1,337

$7.44 ₡3,636

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 ₡703

$0.58 ₡285

$2.32 ₡1,135

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 ₡2,127

$2.03 ₡994

$6.1 ₡2,981

Tomato (1kg)

$3.29 ₡1,606

$2.01 ₡983

$8.05 ₡3,932

Potato (1kg)

$3.43 ₡1,676

$1.94 ₡947

$7.06 ₡3,451

Onion (1kg)

$2.95 ₡1,442

$1.96 ₡960

$4.49 ₡2,194

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.97 ₡476

$0.85 ₡414

$1.37 ₡669

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 ₡1,375

$1.95 ₡950

$3.4 ₡1,662

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.94 ₡2,415

$3.96 ₡1,934

$5.54 ₡2,706

Wine (Bottle)

$14.06 ₡6,867

$9.21 ₡4,500

$27.64 ₡13.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 ₡1,126

$1.66 ₡811

$2.99 ₡1,461

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 ₡1,296

$2.11 ₡1,032

$5.68 ₡2,777

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.95 ₡464

$0.77 ₡375

$1.1 ₡539

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.21 ₡12.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.85 ₡902

$1.4 ₡685

$2.01 ₡981

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 ₡901

$1.4 ₡683

$2.4 ₡1,174

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.69 ₡3,755

$6.89 ₡3,364

$8.72 ₡4,259

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ₡704

$1.33 ₡650

$1.6 ₡783

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.3K ₡18.2M

$36.3K ₡17.7M

$39.5K ₡19.3M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.9K ₡16.1M

$35.2K ₡17.2M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$93.2 ₡45.5K

$59.3 ₡29K

$178 ₡86.9K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.14 ₡12.8K

$20.07 ₡9,805

$50.2 ₡24.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.7 ₡25.3K

$39.19 ₡19.1K

$82.3 ₡40.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.7 ₡27.7K

$39.69 ₡19.4K

$79.4 ₡38.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.24 ₡11.8K

$8.08 ₡3,949

$24.24 ₡11.8K

Cinema Ticket

$10.15 ₡4,957

$7.1 ₡3,467

$15.21 ₡7,433

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$533 ₡260.2K

$403 ₡197K

$937 ₡457.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.1M

$6,351 ₡3.1M

$19.2K ₡9.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.6 ₡30.6K

$39.84 ₡19.5K

$120 ₡58.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.5 ₡25.2K

$40.01 ₡19.5K

$69.6 ₡34K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 ₡61.4K

$89.3 ₡43.6K

$149 ₡72.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡52.8K

$50 ₡24.4K

$160 ₡78.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$770 ₡376K

$500 ₡244.5K

$1,208 ₡590.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$607 ₡296.7K

$364 ₡178K

$810 ₡395.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,529 ₡747K

$904 ₡441.5K

$1,808 ₡883.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$969 ₡473.3K

$600 ₡293.1K

$1,207 ₡589.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,973 ₡964K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,578 ₡771.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 25, 2025

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Cost of Living in Acosta - Frequently Asked Questions

Acosta offers a compelling value for those seeking balance between rural charm and easy access to San José. Cost of Living in Acosta, Costa Rica tends to reward a practical lifestyle: cooking at home, shopping at farmers' markets, and choosing shorter commutes over constant dining out or nightlife. Compared with the capital and tourist hubs, you will often find larger living spaces, quieter streets, and local amenities that keep daily costs predictable. Overall, many travelers, expats, and digital nomads find value in neighborhood life, safety, and nature nearby, rather than pure luxury. Tip: Map a one-month sample budget, then adjust based on housing choices and transport needs.

Daily life in Acosta blends rural calm with frequent access to the capital's services. When you assess Acosta living cost, you’ll notice rental options that range from modest houses with gardens to newer apartments, often with land or views, and you can balance price against distance to main roads. Fresh produce and local meals come from markets and small eateries, making home cooking approachable. Transport is usually a mix of car use and reliable buses to San José and nearby towns; walking is pleasant where sidewalks exist. Tip: plan weekly shopping around market days to save time and fuel.

Quality of life in Acosta blends hillside scenery, community markets, and predictable daily rhythms. A simple budgeting framework helps: separate fixed costs (rent, utilities) from flexible expenses (food, transport), and trim discretionary items during busy travel seasons. Save by cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and sharing rides when practical. Seasonality affects commerce and transit, with the dry season bringing more visitors and longer waits in some services, while the rainy season boosts greenery but can slow roads. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: hillside areas offer views and quiet, while towns near main roads offer quicker errands. Tip: use a week-by-week plan to adapt as you settle.