Cost of Living in Heredia - Updated Prices & Insights

56.71
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $821 (excluding rent), and $1,477 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,994 (excluding rent), and $2,944 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.12 β‚‘4,067
$5.1 β‚‘2,555
$22.33 β‚‘11.2K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.63 β‚‘21.3K
$29.75 β‚‘14.9K
$99.2 β‚‘49.6K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.65 β‚‘4,331
$8.5 β‚‘4,257
$11.73 β‚‘5,871
Cappuccino
$3.3 β‚‘1,652
$1.95 β‚‘975
$6.78 β‚‘3,392
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 β‚‘997
$1.27 β‚‘637
$3.14 β‚‘1,570
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 β‚‘830
$1.01 β‚‘507
$2.65 β‚‘1,327
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.06 β‚‘1,031
$1.64 β‚‘819
$5.12 β‚‘2,561
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 β‚‘1,766
$1.97 β‚‘987
$5.88 β‚‘2,946
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 β‚‘674
$0.58 β‚‘288
$2.71 β‚‘1,358
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 β‚‘1,376
$1.2 β‚‘603
$4.25 β‚‘2,130
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.23 β‚‘1,118
$1.83 β‚‘914
$4.06 β‚‘2,032
Eggs
$3.03 β‚‘1,517
$2.04 β‚‘1,020
$11 β‚‘5,504
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.14 β‚‘5,077
$4.06 β‚‘2,031
$20.27 β‚‘10.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.27 β‚‘4,643
$5.05 β‚‘2,530
$20.23 β‚‘10.1K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.65 β‚‘6,832
$8.93 β‚‘4,473
$23.83 β‚‘11.9K
Apples (1kg)
$4.58 β‚‘2,295
$2.83 β‚‘1,418
$10.14 β‚‘5,074
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 β‚‘727
$0.59 β‚‘295
$4.68 β‚‘2,342
Oranges (1kg)
$4.22 β‚‘2,112
$1.48 β‚‘739
$5.91 β‚‘2,960
Tomato (1kg)
$3.19 β‚‘1,598
$1.3 β‚‘648
$7.99 β‚‘4,001
Potato (1kg)
$3.22 β‚‘1,610
$1.16 β‚‘581
$6.78 β‚‘3,396
Onion (1kg)
$3.25 β‚‘1,626
$1.73 β‚‘867
$6.12 β‚‘3,062
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 β‚‘490
$0.49 β‚‘247
$3.93 β‚‘1,969
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.91 β‚‘1,458
$2.01 β‚‘1,008
$6.04 β‚‘3,023
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.77 β‚‘1,887
$2.52 β‚‘1,261
$5.61 β‚‘2,810
Wine (Bottle)
$14.08 β‚‘7,048
$10.06 β‚‘5,038
$30.18 β‚‘15.1K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46 β‚‘1,232
$1.49 β‚‘747
$3.07 β‚‘1,539
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 β‚‘1,265
$1.94 β‚‘973
$5.8 β‚‘2,905
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.03 β‚‘518
$1.03 β‚‘518
$1.45 β‚‘727
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15 β‚‘7,510
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.76 β‚‘883
$1.37 β‚‘686
$2.35 β‚‘1,179
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.85 β‚‘926
$1.4 β‚‘702
$2.61 β‚‘1,308
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.02 β‚‘4,017
$7.19 β‚‘3,599
$10.12 β‚‘5,065
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 β‚‘704
$1.3 β‚‘650
$1.57 β‚‘788
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3K β‚‘15.7M
$30.3K β‚‘15.2M
$40.6K β‚‘20.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9K β‚‘16.5M
$32.9K β‚‘16.5M
$40.2K β‚‘20.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$50.1 β‚‘25.1K
$49.86 β‚‘25K
$131 β‚‘65.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.64 β‚‘11.3K
$20.12 β‚‘10.1K
$60.4 β‚‘30.2K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.4 β‚‘29.7K
$39.63 β‚‘19.8K
$83.2 β‚‘41.7K
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.71 β‚‘24.9K
$19.99 β‚‘10K
$59.7 β‚‘29.9K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.7 β‚‘9,860
$19.7 β‚‘9,860
$19.7 β‚‘9,860
Cinema Ticket
$9.87 β‚‘4,941
$6.9 β‚‘3,457
$14.8 β‚‘7,410
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$502 β‚‘251.2K
$401 β‚‘200.9K
$933 β‚‘467.2K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.8K β‚‘6.4M
$6,016 β‚‘3M
$30.1K β‚‘15.1M
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.7 β‚‘31.4K
$39.95 β‚‘20K
$120 β‚‘60K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 β‚‘26.2K
$30.36 β‚‘15.2K
$101 β‚‘50.7K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$117 β‚‘58.7K
$87.9 β‚‘44K
$156 β‚‘78.2K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.8 β‚‘42K
$50.3 β‚‘25.2K
$161 β‚‘80.6K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$752 β‚‘376.3K
$391 β‚‘195.8K
$1,180 β‚‘590.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$609 β‚‘304.7K
$505 β‚‘252.9K
$813 β‚‘406.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,575 β‚‘788.4K
$887 β‚‘444.2K
$2,465 β‚‘1.2M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$971 β‚‘486.3K
$602 β‚‘301.2K
$1,210 β‚‘605.6K
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,488 β‚‘744.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
8
15
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Heredia - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Heredia, Costa Rica compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Overall, the Cost of Living in Heredia, Costa Rica feels moderate compared with major expat hubs in the region. You’ll find a range of housing – from hillside apartments with pleasant views to compact city-center options – that can be more affordable on longer leases. Local groceries and seasonal produce are pleasant to source, especially when you shop at mercados and neighborhood shops. Transportation is practical, with reliable bus routes and easy access to other towns. Seasonal tourism can nudge some costs, but expenses don’t swing wildly. Tip: prioritize transit-friendly neighborhoods to keep daily costs predictable.
What should daily life look like in Heredia when you’re searching for housing, grabbing meals, and getting around?
Daily life in Heredia is a balance of greens, cafes, and reliable transit. When you search for housing, lean toward areas with easy access to bus lines or light rail, and consider smaller buildings that feel neighborly. For meals, mix visits to mercados with casual eateries for variety without breaking the budget. Getting around largely revolves around buses, bikes, and occasional rideshares, with traffic gentler than in busier capitals. Heredia, Costa Rica living cost tends to hover in a steady range that supports a comfortable, low-friction routine. Tip: map a simple weekly plan to keep errands efficient.
What budgeting framework and neighborhood fit help you maximize quality of life in Heredia while staying flexible for seasons?
Develop a simple budgeting framework that tracks housing, food, transport, and occasional activities. Start with a stable home base in a neighborhood with quick transit, parks, and essential services; rotate in nearby areas to taste different vibes without long moves. Embrace markets for groceries, coffee spots for Wi‑Fi shuffle, and coworking spaces for productivity. Seasonality in Heredia shows in tourism and weekend outings, so keep a flexible plan that scales activities rather than fixed expenses. Tip: build in a small buffer for surprises and choose neighborhoods with diverse amenities within walking distance.
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