Last update: Oct 2026 Costa Rica 27K

Cost of Living in Turrialba

For one person, living costs in Turrialba are estimated at $1,726 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $33 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Turrialba

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Turrialba actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,726 per month with rent, or $1,004 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,726 /mo

A couple spends around $2,753 per month with rent, or $1,700 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,753 /mo

A family of three spends around $3,779 per month with rent, or $2,395 without housing.

$3,779 /mo
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.97 ₡5,370
$8.62 ₡3,865
$19.39 ₡8,694
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.9 ₡27.3K
$39.17 ₡17.6K
$97.9 ₡43.9K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.78 ₡5,283
$10.00 ₡4,484
$12.22 ₡5,478
Cappuccino
$4.34 ₡1,946
$1.95 ₡875
$5.35 ₡2,401
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,233
$2.02 ₡908
$4.49 ₡2,012
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 ₡871
$1.36 ₡608
$3.38 ₡1,516
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 ₡1,488
$2.02 ₡904
$5.54 ₡2,482
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.40 ₡1,973
$2.97 ₡1,333
$6.52 ₡2,923
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.35 ₡1,052
$1.63 ₡732
$3.04 ₡1,363
White Bread (500g)
$3.06 ₡1,372
$1.74 ₡779
$4.77 ₡2,137
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,134
$2.10 ₡940
$4.06 ₡1,821
Eggs
$3.60 ₡1,612
$2.35 ₡1,055
$4.51 ₡2,023
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,726
$4.33 ₡1,943
$21.66 ₡9,713
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.32 ₡4,630
$8.16 ₡3,661
$13.06 ₡5,858
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.16 ₡6,352
$11.09 ₡4,974
$16.64 ₡7,463
Apples (1kg)
$5.07 ₡2,273
$3.48 ₡1,558
$6.51 ₡2,922
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 ₡705
$1.07 ₡482
$3.21 ₡1,441
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,124
$2.18 ₡977
$6.55 ₡2,936
Tomato (1kg)
$3.97 ₡1,782
$2.24 ₡1,006
$8.99 ₡4,032
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,754
$2.24 ₡1,006
$7.86 ₡3,526
Onion (1kg)
$3.71 ₡1,663
$2.21 ₡992
$5.10 ₡2,288
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.13 ₡505
$1.13 ₡505
$1.13 ₡505
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.19 ₡1,431
$2.21 ₡992
$4.43 ₡1,988
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.07 ₡2,724
$5.62 ₡2,521
$6.30 ₡2,825
Wine (Bottle)
$20.24 ₡9,076
$11.12 ₡4,985
$33.36 ₡15.0K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.84 ₡1,274
$2.20 ₡986
$3.67 ₡1,648
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60 ₡1,613
$2.40 ₡1,077
$6.13 ₡2,748
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.28 ₡574
$1.07 ₡479
$1.28 ₡574
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.45 ₡1,101
$1.80 ₡808
$2.45 ₡1,101
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.57 ₡704
$1.57 ₡704
$1.82 ₡814
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.80 ₡3,948
$7.61 ₡3,413
$10.00 ₡4,484
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡671
$1.36 ₡610
$1.61 ₡724
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2K ₡10.0M
$22.2K ₡10.0M
$35.0K ₡15.7M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.5M
$32.6K ₡14.6M
$38.0K ₡17.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ₡43.2K
$67.0 ₡30.0K
$134 ₡60.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.27 ₡15.8K
$22.81 ₡10.2K
$76.0 ₡34.1K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.2 ₡26.5K
$43.83 ₡19.7K
$83.3 ₡37.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.7 ₡33.0K
$50.5 ₡22.6K
$111 ₡49.6K
Cinema Ticket
$7.87 ₡3,527
$7.41 ₡3,325
$15.73 ₡7,055
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$993 ₡445.3K
$754 ₡338.3K
$1,967 ₡882.0K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.3K ₡7.8M
$10.9K ₡4.9M
$21.8K ₡9.8M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.0 ₡32.3K
$50.9 ₡22.8K
$84.0 ₡37.7K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.4 ₡25.3K
$44.33 ₡19.9K
$77.6 ₡34.8K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 ₡57.5K
$87.4 ₡39.2K
$153 ₡68.6K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134 ₡60.1K
$100 ₡45.0K
$179 ₡80.1K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$808 ₡362.3K
$578 ₡259.0K
$839 ₡376.2K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$626 ₡280.7K
$435 ₡195.3K
$794 ₡355.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,870 ₡838.7K
$1,435 ₡643.6K
$2,426 ₡1.1M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,287 ₡577.2K
$1,007 ₡451.7K
$1,567 ₡702.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
8
10

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

Last update: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Turrialba $1,726
Accommodation & Living
$626
Groceries & Markets
$402
Eating Out
$227
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$191
Clothing & Footwear
$176
Sport & Entertainment
$89
Getting Around
$15 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $402 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $61.0.

Cost Highlights

Milk is more expensive than 92% of cities in North America

Gasoline is more expensive than 92% of cities in North America

Gym membership is more expensive than 91% of cities in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
03:59 3:59 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
27,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 24, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

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Turrialba Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Cost of Living in Turrialba - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Turrialba compare for travelers and longer stays, and who tends to get good value?
For many travelers, the Cost of Living in Turrialba, Costa Rica feels approachable compared with bigger hubs or the capital, thanks to a slower pace and simpler services. Expats and long-stay visitors often find housing and daily costs more predictable when you lean on local eateries and markets. Food options, transport, and utilities can be managed on a modest budget if you prioritize local options and flexible routines. Seasonality influences activity more than major price swings. Tip: Build a simple monthly plan that balances groceries, transport, and occasional dining out to keep you nimble.
What does a typical day look like for housing search, food, transport, and errands in Turrialba, and what should you look for in neighborhoods?
On a daily basis, you’ll find a practical rhythm here: affordable local eateries, markets with fresh produce, and a central bus network that keeps errands and commutes simple. Housing options range from compact apartments in the town center to modest homes on the hills, with rents generally lower than big metropolitan hubs when you prioritize local neighborhoods. For co-working, look for shared spaces in the centro or near educational institutes. Turrialba, Costa Rica living cost tends to stay friendly if you shop local and cook at home. Tip: Map two or three neighborhoods you like, visit at different times of day, and test a few grocery runs before deciding.
How can you budget effectively for quality of life in Turrialba, and what neighborhood fit, seasonality, and services should guide your plan?
Quality of life here rewards thoughtful budgeting and flexible planning. Start with a simple framework: fixed essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) + discretionary (eating out, activities) + occasional transport. In Turrialba you can save by choosing local markets, cooking at home, and negotiating longer-term housing leases. Seasonality influences outdoor plans more than prices; you’ll likely find milder demand in shoulder months for longer stays. Neighborhood fit matters: central zones offer walkability and services, while hillside areas bring calmer streets and better views. Tip: try a two-week trial in a couple of neighborhoods before mapping a longer-term stay.
How much does it cost to live in Turrialba in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Turrialba should plan on about $1,726 per month with rent, or $1,004 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
How expensive is daily life in Turrialba?
Turrialba sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,726, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Turrialba?
You'll want at least $2,589 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Turrialba. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How affordable is housing in Turrialba?
Rent in Turrialba is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $626 and $808 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
What does fitness cost in Turrialba?
Expect to pay about $73.7 per month for a gym in Turrialba – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
What are kindergarten prices in Turrialba?
Private kindergarten in Turrialba costs about $993 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Is $2,500 a month enough for Turrialba?
$2,500 is below the $1,726 average in Turrialba, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What makes Turrialba attractive for remote workers?
Turrialba has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to fast internet, low crime rates, clean air. At around $1,726 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.
Is Turrialba a cheap city to live in?
Turrialba is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,726, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
How budget-friendly is Turrialba for travelers?
Turrialba is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,726, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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