Cost of Living in Santa Barbara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $826 (excluding rent), and $1,526 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,964 (excluding rent), and $3,150 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.9 ₡5,343

$6.93 ₡3,399

$21.8 ₡10.7K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.9 ₡28.9K

$39.28 ₡19.3K

$98.2 ₡48.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.2 ₡4,999

$12.23 ₡5,994

Cappuccino

$3.87 ₡1,899

$2.02 ₡989

$7.02 ₡3,441

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

$2.05 ₡1,007

$1.59 ₡778

$3.03 ₡1,485

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.6 ₡785

$1.18 ₡577

$1.97 ₡965

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.04 ₡1,488

$2.03 ₡994

$5.06 ₡2,482

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.61 ₡2,262

$2.94 ₡1,443

$5.9 ₡2,891

Milk (1 liter)

$2.06 ₡1,011

$1.53 ₡749

$2.85 ₡1,398

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 ₡1,346

$1.2 ₡590

$4.25 ₡2,084

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.22 ₡1,088

$1.81 ₡889

$4.03 ₡1,976

Eggs

$2.94 ₡1,444

$1.98 ₡971

$3.96 ₡1,941

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.84 ₡4,332

$3.93 ₡1,926

$19.64 ₡9,626

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.95 ₡4,389

$4.88 ₡2,392

$10.74 ₡5,265

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.64 ₡6,685

$10.12 ₡4,958

$16.87 ₡8,269

Apples (1kg)

$4.52 ₡2,216

$2.79 ₡1,369

$6.99 ₡3,428

Banana (1kg)

$1.32 ₡649

$0.62 ₡302

$2.45 ₡1,202

Oranges (1kg)

$2.34 ₡1,147

$1.95 ₡955

$5.85 ₡2,866

Tomato (1kg)

$3.55 ₡1,740

$2.02 ₡989

$8.07 ₡3,958

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 ₡1,442

$1.89 ₡924

$6.87 ₡3,369

Onion (1kg)

$2.89 ₡1,418

$1.93 ₡947

$4.42 ₡2,165

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ₡330

$0.95 ₡467

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.84 ₡1,391

$2.16 ₡1,058

$3.92 ₡1,923

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.25 ₡2,575

$3.97 ₡1,945

$5.55 ₡2,722

Wine (Bottle)

$12.06 ₡5,910

$10.05 ₡4,928

$30.15 ₡14.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 ₡1,241

$1.71 ₡839

$3.09 ₡1,512

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ₡1,392

$2.05 ₡1,004

$5.51 ₡2,701

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 ₡502

$0.83 ₡406

$1.19 ₡583

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.8 ₡884

$1.37 ₡671

$1.96 ₡961

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 ₡478

$2.33 ₡1,144

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.71 ₡3,782

$6.91 ₡3,389

$8.75 ₡4,290

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 ₡695

$1.31 ₡641

$1.97 ₡967

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

$38.5K ₡18.9M

$37.4K ₡18.3M

$40.8K ₡20M

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

$32.5K ₡15.9M

$34.7K ₡17M

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

$67.3 ₡33K

$59.3 ₡29.1K

$129 ₡63K

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

$25.99 ₡12.7K

$19.95 ₡9,780

$49.89 ₡24.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.4 ₡29.6K

$40.31 ₡19.8K

$84.6 ₡41.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.4 ₡28.1K

$40.2 ₡19.7K

$80.4 ₡39.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.14 ₡11.8K

$8.05 ₡3,946

$24.14 ₡11.8K

Cinema Ticket

$9.07 ₡4,446

$8.07 ₡3,955

$15.12 ₡7,412

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

$558 ₡273.3K

$390 ₡191.3K

$907 ₡444.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.7K ₡6.2M

$9,968 ₡4.9M

$19.5K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 ₡31.1K

$40.46 ₡19.8K

$121 ₡59.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.4 ₡25.7K

$40.7 ₡20K

$81 ₡39.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡62.6K

$90.7 ₡44.5K

$191 ₡93.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡52.8K

$49.91 ₡24.5K

$160 ₡78.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$772 ₡378.7K

$502 ₡246.2K

$1,212 ₡594.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$594 ₡291.1K

$356 ₡174.7K

$792 ₡388.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,496 ₡733.3K

$884 ₡433.4K

$1,769 ₡867.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$953 ₡467.3K

$590 ₡289.4K

$1,187 ₡581.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,698 ₡832.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,702 ₡834.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Santa Barbara - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Barbara, Costa Rica offers a balanced value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads seeking a quieter base with access to nature and reliable basics. Lodging ranges from modest apartments to guesthouses, and day-to-day costs for groceries and casual meals are typically friendlier than coastal hotspots or central-city districts. Public buses and nearby towns keep travel affordable, while occasional taxi rides or car shares cover weekend explorations. The cost can vary by neighborhood and season, with hillside areas offering views at a small premium. A quick look at Cost of Living in Santa Barbara, Costa Rica helps you frame expectations. Tip: map a flexible budget around housing, food outlets, and transport so you can adapt to changes.

A practical daily rhythm starts with housing choices: a compact apartment near the town center or a hillside casita with morning sun and cooler evenings. Grocery runs happen at local markets for fruit, bread, and produce, with casual eateries offering inexpensive meals and reliable Wi-Fi in many cafes. Transport relies on the regional bus network or occasional rides; a scooter or rental car expands weekend exploration. Co-working spaces or quiet cafe desks support focused work, though hours can be lighter on weekends. Santa Barbara, Costa Rica living cost varies by option, so pick a setup that matches your workload and pace. Tip: keep a flexible plan for errands and backup connectivity in rainy spells.

To maximize quality of life, adopt a simple budgeting framework: separate shelter, food, and transport from discretionary spends, and track using a basic calendar. Neighborhoods near markets and cafes typically balance walkability with quiet streets. In the rainy season, indoor activities and reliable wifi matter; in the dry season, plan outdoor days and note rising guest-house rates on holidays. Tap into local mercados for fresh prices and seasonal produce, and consider shared housing or co-working spaces to stretch the budget further. Tip: reserve a small cushion for unpredictable transport or weekend trips so daily life stays smooth.