Cost of Living Comparison Between Escazu and Topeka, KS Cost of Living Comparison Between Escazu and Topeka, KS

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,107 in Escazu versus $1,930 in Topeka, KS.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,857 in Escazu versus $2,998 in Topeka, KS.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,608 in Escazu versus $4,066 in Topeka, KS.

Living in Escazu is roughly 9% more expensive than Topeka, KS, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Escazu 57% above, Topeka, KS 44% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.01 ₡4,974

$13.61 $13.61

-19.10%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.5 ₡27.3K

$55.0 $55.0

9.90%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.88 ₡4,465

$9.82 $9.82

0.61%

Cappuccino

$3.89 ₡1,759

$3.43 $3.43

13.41%

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

$1.99 ₡898

$2.19 $2.19

-9.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 ₡754

$1.57 $1.57

6.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.96 ₡1,338

$4.97 $4.97

-40.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.59 ₡2,073

$5.98 $5.98

-23.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ₡925

$0.85 $0.85

141.18%

White Bread (500g)

$2.86 ₡1,291

$3.04 $3.04

-5.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.22 ₡1,001

$2.16 $2.16

2.78%

Eggs

$2.95 ₡1,332

$4.50 $4.50

-34.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.17 ₡4,593

$8.64 $8.64

17.71%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.24 ₡4,176

$11.12 $11.12

-16.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.51 ₡6,102

$13.03 $13.03

3.68%

Apples (1kg)

$4.49 ₡2,028

$5.45 $5.45

-17.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 ₡656

$2.03 $2.03

-28.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 ₡1,898

$4.67 $4.67

-10.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.34 ₡1,511

$4.20 $4.20

-20.48%

Potato (1kg)

$3.40 ₡1,534

$3.78 $3.78

-10.05%

Onion (1kg)

$3.06 ₡1,381

$2.53 $2.53

20.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₡465

$1.89 $1.89

-45.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.91 ₡1,317

$1.01 $1.01

188.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.83 ₡2,180

$9.19 $9.19

-47.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.35 ₡8,291

$11.85 $11.85

54.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68 ₡760

$1.72 $1.72

-2.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 ₡1,198

$1.73 $1.73

53.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ₡400

$4.58 $4.58

-80.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.1 $50.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 ₡777

$2.83 $2.83

-39.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 ₡806

$1.34 $1.34

32.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.98 ₡3,608

$32.81 $32.81

-75.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ₡657

$0.72 $0.72

101.39%

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

$31.2K ₡14.1M

$24.4K $24.4K

28.30%

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

$32.1K ₡14.5M

$24.7K $24.7K

29.66%

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

$66.7 ₡30.1K

$113 $113

-40.75%

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

$26.39 ₡11.9K

$48.69 $48.69

-45.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.69 ₡22.4K

$63.4 $63.4

-21.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$107 ₡48.2K

$57.7 $57.7

84.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.73 ₡4,398

$15.40 $15.40

-36.82%

Cinema Ticket

$9.85 ₡4,452

$12.41 $12.41

-20.63%

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

$564 ₡254.8K

$437 $437

29.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.1K ₡6.4M

$23.0K $23.0K

-38.59%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.7 ₡28.3K

$22.35 $22.35

180.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.7 ₡22.9K

$20.13 $20.13

152.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$124 ₡55.8K

$72.9 $72.9

69.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 ₡48.5K

$80.3 $80.3

33.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,081 ₡488.4K

$769 $769

40.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,090 ₡492.6K

$866 $866

25.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,637 ₡739.7K

$1,898 $1,898

-13.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,316 ₡594.5K

$1,794 $1,794

-26.66%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,992 ₡899.9K

$1,354 $1,354

47.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,156 ₡522.5K

$1,345 $1,345

-14.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,715 ₡774.7K

$3,457 $3,457

-50.40%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

6.11

66.45%

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

Last update for Escazu: June 7, 2026

Last update for Topeka, KS: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,081 in Escazu and $769 in Topeka, KS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Topeka, KS pays 102% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $60.0 in Escazu vs $55.0 in Topeka, KS for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $357 vs $337 per month, with Topeka, KS cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Escazu vs Topeka, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Topeka, KS is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 9% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

On paper, Topeka, KS earns 102% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $1,081 in Escazu versus $769 in Topeka, KS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 6% higher in Escazu. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $2,107 per month in Escazu versus $1,930 in Topeka, KS – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $1,930 in Topeka, KS versus $2,107 in Escazu, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Topeka, KS but tight or insufficient in Escazu. The gap between the two cities makes Topeka, KS the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

For families, Topeka, KS is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Escazu, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Safety-wise, Escazu and Topeka, KS are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Topeka, KS gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Escazu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.