Cost of Living in Santa Barbara - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $929 (excluding rent), and $1,513 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,322 (excluding rent), and $3,188 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.82 ₡5,364

$6.88 ₡3,412

$21.64 ₡10.7K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.5 ₡29.5K

$39.67 ₡19.7K

$99.2 ₡49.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.13 ₡5,025

$12.15 ₡6,024

Cappuccino

$3.89 ₡1,929

$2.03 ₡1,005

$7.05 ₡3,497

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

$2.00 ₡989

$1.54 ₡764

$2.94 ₡1,459

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 ₡788

$1.17 ₡579

$1.95 ₡968

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 ₡1,461

$1.97 ₡976

$4.92 ₡2,437

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.65 ₡2,306

$2.97 ₡1,472

$5.95 ₡2,948

Milk (1 liter)

$2.06 ₡1,022

$1.53 ₡758

$2.85 ₡1,414

White Bread (500g)

$2.76 ₡1,368

$1.21 ₡600

$4.27 ₡2,118

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 ₡1,111

$1.83 ₡908

$4.07 ₡2,019

Eggs

$2.92 ₡1,449

$1.96 ₡974

$3.93 ₡1,948

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.96 ₡4,443

$3.99 ₡1,976

$19.92 ₡9,875

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.29 ₡4,608

$5.07 ₡2,511

$11.15 ₡5,528

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.74 ₡6,814

$10.19 ₡5,054

$17.00 ₡8,429

Apples (1kg)

$4.53 ₡2,248

$2.80 ₡1,389

$7.01 ₡3,477

Banana (1kg)

$1.26 ₡622

$0.58 ₡289

$2.33 ₡1,153

Oranges (1kg)

$2.35 ₡1,165

$1.96 ₡970

$5.87 ₡2,911

Tomato (1kg)

$3.44 ₡1,707

$1.96 ₡971

$7.83 ₡3,883

Potato (1kg)

$2.95 ₡1,464

$1.89 ₡939

$6.90 ₡3,420

Onion (1kg)

$2.90 ₡1,436

$1.93 ₡959

$4.42 ₡2,193

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.73 ₡362

$1.03 ₡512

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.81 ₡1,393

$2.14 ₡1,059

$3.88 ₡1,925

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.34 ₡2,648

$4.03 ₡2,000

$5.65 ₡2,799

Wine (Bottle)

$12.28 ₡6,088

$10.23 ₡5,073

$30.69 ₡15.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 ₡1,198

$1.63 ₡810

$2.94 ₡1,460

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 ₡1,445

$2.10 ₡1,042

$5.66 ₡2,804

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 ₡474

$0.77 ₡383

$1.11 ₡550

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ₡885

$1.36 ₡673

$1.94 ₡963

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.97 ₡479

$2.31 ₡1,146

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.78 ₡3,855

$6.97 ₡3,455

$8.82 ₡4,373

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡700

$1.30 ₡646

$1.96 ₡974

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

$37.5K ₡18.6M

$36.4K ₡18.1M

$39.7K ₡19.7M

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

$32.0K ₡15.9M

$34.2K ₡17.0M

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

$68.6 ₡34.0K

$60.6 ₡30.0K

$131 ₡65.1K

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

$25.60 ₡12.7K

$19.65 ₡9,743

$49.13 ₡24.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.2 ₡29.3K

$39.46 ₡19.6K

$82.9 ₡41.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.1 ₡28.3K

$39.95 ₡19.8K

$79.9 ₡39.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.89 ₡11.8K

$7.97 ₡3,949

$23.89 ₡11.8K

Cinema Ticket

$8.89 ₡4,408

$7.91 ₡3,920

$14.82 ₡7,348

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

$568 ₡281.4K

$397 ₡196.9K

$923 ₡457.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K ₡6.4M

$10.1K ₡5.0M

$19.7K ₡9.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.8 ₡30.6K

$39.35 ₡19.5K

$118 ₡58.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.3 ₡25.9K

$40.67 ₡20.2K

$80.9 ₡40.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡63.3K

$90.7 ₡45.0K

$192 ₡95.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡53.7K

$50.1 ₡24.9K

$160 ₡79.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$776 ₡384.5K

$504 ₡250.1K

$1,217 ₡603.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$587 ₡290.9K

$352 ₡174.5K

$782 ₡387.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,502 ₡744.8K

$888 ₡440.2K

$1,776 ₡880.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$957 ₡474.3K

$592 ₡293.7K

$1,191 ₡590.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,681 ₡833.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,670 ₡827.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Santa Barbara Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

206

Mbps

160

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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.