Cost of Living in Acosta - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $915 (excluding rent), and $1,586 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,187 (excluding rent), and $3,240 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.84 ₡4,927

$6.89 ₡3,447

$21.64 ₡10.8K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.5 ₡25.8K

$39.62 ₡19.8K

$99 ₡49.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.44 ₡5,228

$10.02 ₡5,018

$12.52 ₡6,268

Cappuccino

$3.67 ₡1,837

$1.94 ₡972

$6.76 ₡3,383

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

$1.81 ₡907

$1.4 ₡700

$2.85 ₡1,427

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 ₡914

$1.34 ₡672

$2.24 ₡1,123

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.97 ₡1,488

$1.98 ₡994

$4.96 ₡2,482

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 ₡2,021

$2.58 ₡1,290

$5.16 ₡2,583

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 ₡962

$1.42 ₡713

$2.66 ₡1,330

White Bread (500g)

$3.07 ₡1,536

$1.34 ₡673

$4.95 ₡2,480

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.37 ₡1,184

$1.93 ₡968

$4.3 ₡2,152

Eggs

$3.21 ₡1,607

$2.16 ₡1,081

$5.17 ₡2,590

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.3 ₡5,158

$4.12 ₡2,063

$20.6 ₡10.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.14 ₡5,075

$5.52 ₡2,766

$14.15 ₡7,084

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.12 ₡7,068

$10.28 ₡5,145

$16.43 ₡8,226

Apples (1kg)

$4.35 ₡2,178

$2.69 ₡1,346

$7.31 ₡3,659

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 ₡633

$0.51 ₡257

$2.04 ₡1,023

Oranges (1kg)

$4.15 ₡2,080

$1.94 ₡972

$5.82 ₡2,915

Tomato (1kg)

$3.32 ₡1,664

$2.04 ₡1,019

$8.14 ₡4,077

Potato (1kg)

$3.09 ₡1,548

$1.75 ₡875

$6.37 ₡3,187

Onion (1kg)

$3.08 ₡1,543

$2.05 ₡1,027

$4.69 ₡2,348

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 ₡567

$0.98 ₡493

$1.59 ₡796

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.68 ₡1,344

$1.85 ₡929

$3.24 ₡1,624

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.41 ₡2,707

$4.33 ₡2,168

$6.06 ₡3,034

Wine (Bottle)

$17.84 ₡8,929

$13.64 ₡6,827

$31.47 ₡15.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.22 ₡1,109

$1.6 ₡799

$2.88 ₡1,439

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 ₡1,133

$1.8 ₡902

$4.85 ₡2,426

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 ₡425

$0.69 ₡344

$0.99 ₡494

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.34 ₡12.7K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.99 ₡994

$1.51 ₡755

$2.16 ₡1,081

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 ₡794

$1.2 ₡602

$2.06 ₡1,034

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.76 ₡3,885

$6.95 ₡3,482

$8.8 ₡4,408

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.43 ₡715

$1.32 ₡660

$1.59 ₡795

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

$32.6K ₡16.3M

$31.7K ₡15.9M

$34.5K ₡17.3M

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

$35K ₡17.5M

$37.4K ₡18.7M

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

$102 ₡50.9K

$64.7 ₡32.4K

$194 ₡97.1K

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

$22.03 ₡11K

$16.91 ₡8,468

$42.29 ₡21.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.98 ₡24K

$36.35 ₡18.2K

$76.3 ₡38.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.7 ₡28.4K

$39.68 ₡19.9K

$79.4 ₡39.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.95 ₡13K

$8.66 ₡4,333

$25.95 ₡13K

Cinema Ticket

$9.51 ₡4,761

$6.65 ₡3,330

$14.26 ₡7,139

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

$547 ₡273.8K

$414 ₡207.2K

$963 ₡481.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K ₡6.7M

$6,800 ₡3.4M

$20.5K ₡10.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.8 ₡31.4K

$39.99 ₡20K

$120 ₡60.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.1 ₡25.6K

$39.72 ₡19.9K

$69.1 ₡34.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡64.2K

$91.2 ₡45.6K

$152 ₡76K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 ₡56.5K

$52.3 ₡26.2K

$167 ₡83.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$750 ₡375.7K

$488 ₡244.3K

$1,178 ₡589.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$670 ₡335.2K

$402 ₡201.1K

$893 ₡447K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,542 ₡771.9K

$911 ₡456.2K

$1,823 ₡912.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$914 ₡457.7K

$566 ₡283.5K

$1,139 ₡570K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,945 ₡973.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,564 ₡783.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

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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.