Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Costa Rica Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Costa Rica

Name: Costa Rica
Address: CR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,622 per month in United States vs $1,674 in Costa Rica, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $2,639 in Costa Rica, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,038 per month in United States vs $3,604 in Costa Rica, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 57% higher than in Costa Rica on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both United States and Costa Rica are pricier than the global median – United States by 91%, Costa Rica by 22%.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($983–$5,177) than in Costa Rica ($1,011–$2,175), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.78 $19.78

$11.02 ₡4,944

79.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.4 $81.4

$55.4 ₡24.9K

46.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.11 $12.11

$11.02 ₡4,943

9.89%

Cappuccino

$5.44 $5.44

$4.45 ₡1,996

22.25%

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

$2.67 $2.67

$2.47 ₡1,106

8.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.96 ₡880

6.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.06 $6.06

$3.32 ₡1,490

82.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.14 $8.14

$4.41 ₡1,981

84.58%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$2.47 ₡1,110

-57.49%

White Bread (500g)

$3.65 $3.65

$3.58 ₡1,608

1.96%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$2.68 ₡1,202

66.04%

Eggs

$4.35 $4.35

$4.09 ₡1,837

6.36%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.73 $12.73

$9.90 ₡4,443

28.59%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.46 $12.46

$10.29 ₡4,617

21.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.95 $16.95

$14.19 ₡6,365

19.45%

Apples (1kg)

$5.30 $5.30

$4.99 ₡2,240

6.21%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.79 ₡804

-5.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

$3.63 ₡1,627

21.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$3.45 ₡1,546

45.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$3.38 ₡1,518

-15.09%

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$3.09 ₡1,387

1.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.32 $2.32

$1.15 ₡514

101.74%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.86 ₡1,282

-18.18%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.55 $10.55

$5.42 ₡2,432

94.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.94 $14.94

$15.44 ₡6,927

-3.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.70 ₡1,212

-21.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.41 ₡1,530

8.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.13 ₡505

109.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.1 $65.1

$66.7 ₡29.9K

-2.47%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.42 $3.42

$2.22 ₡998

54.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.99 ₡891

-5.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.16 $30.16

$8.96 ₡4,020

236.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$1.58 ₡707

-37.97%

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

$35.9K $35.9K

$33.6K ₡15.1M

7.08%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$37.0K ₡16.6M

-29.94%

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

$218 $218

$97.1 ₡43.6K

124.18%

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

$61.0 $61.0

$31.32 ₡14.1K

94.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.8 $74.8

$59.7 ₡26.8K

25.32%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.42 $44.42

$65.5 ₡29.4K

-32.19%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.53 $22.53

$23.48 ₡10.5K

-4.05%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$8.59 ₡3,853

72.29%

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

$1,476 $1,476

$748 ₡335.6K

97.31%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.9K $25.9K

$12.6K ₡5.7M

104.81%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 $54.4

$75.6 ₡33.9K

-28.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.59 $43.59

$54.1 ₡24.3K

-19.40%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.9 $92.9

$129 ₡58.1K

-28.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$113 ₡50.8K

0.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,639 $1,639

$875 ₡392.7K

87.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,358 $1,358

$661 ₡296.8K

105.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,699 $2,699

$1,772 ₡795.1K

52.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,199 $2,199

$1,205 ₡540.4K

82.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,269 $3,269

$2,413 ₡1.1M

35.48%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,589 $2,589

$1,634 ₡733.0K

58.47%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,357 $4,357

$1,078 ₡483.5K

304.33%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

9.56

-35.04%

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

Last update for United States: August 30, 2026

Last update for Costa Rica: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,606 in United States vs $820 in Costa Rica. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,373 in Columbia, TN and $931 in San Jose.

Average salary: $4,519 in United States vs $1,106 in Costa Rica. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 96% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 42% more in United States.

Public transport is 93% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 309% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Costa Rica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Rica is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 93% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Costa Rica, contributing to the overall 93% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Costa Rica, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Costa Rica is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.