Cost of Living & Prices:
Costa Rica vs. United States
Compare the cost of living and prices of goods and services, such as consumer goods prices, housing costs, average wages and more, to learn about differences and similarities between countries.
Table of contents
Grocery
Costa Rica vs. United States - grocery purchase prices. You would pay on average 1.38 times less for grocery shopping in Costa Rica than in the United States.
Apples (1kg)
One kilogram of apples costs 4.83 USD in Costa Rica and 5.84 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 17.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Banana (1kg)
1 kilogram of bananas costs 1.27 USD in Costa Rica and 2.39 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 46.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
One kilogram of beef or similar meat costs 13.01 USD in Costa Rica and 20.99 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 38% lower in Costa Rica.
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
A bottle of medium-grade wine costs 14.77 USD in Costa Rica and 18 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 17.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
One kilogram of chicken fillet costs 8.66 USD in Costa Rica and 17.42 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 50.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
A pack of 20 cigarettes costs 4.63 USD in Costa Rica and 16 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 71.1% lower in Costa Rica.
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
Domestic beer in a 0.5 liter bottle costs 2.25 USD in Costa Rica and 3.21 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 29.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Eggs (regular) (12)
You will pay 3.14 USD for 12 eggs in Costa Rica and 4.74 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 33.8% lower in Costa Rica.
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
A 0.33 liter bottle of imported beer costs 2.99 USD in Costa Rica and 3.93 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 23.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre
A 0.7 liter bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey costs 34.7 USD in Costa Rica and 24.99 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 28% lower in the United States.
Lettuce (1 head)
One head of lettuce costs 1.11 USD in Costa Rica and 2.84 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 60.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
One loaf of fresh white bread costs 2.14 USD in Costa Rica and 4.27 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 49.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Local Cheese (1kg)
One kilogram of locally produced cheese costs 8.5 USD in Costa Rica and 16.71 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 49.1% lower in Costa Rica.
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
One liter of milk costs 1.92 USD in Costa Rica and 1.25 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 34.9% lower in the United States.
Onion (1kg)
One kilogram of onions costs 2.8 USD in Costa Rica and 3.9 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 28.2% lower in Costa Rica.
Oranges (1kg)
One kilogram of oranges costs 2.05 USD in Costa Rica and 5.33 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 61.5% lower in Costa Rica.
Potato (1kg)
One kilogram of potatoes costs 2.27 USD in Costa Rica and 4.26 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 46.7% lower in Costa Rica.
Rice (white), (1kg)
One kilogram of white rice costs 2.38 USD in Costa Rica and 8.22 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 71% lower in Costa Rica.
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre
A 0.7 liter bottle of Smirnoff Red Label vodka costs 14.03 USD in Costa Rica and 8.98 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 36% lower in the United States.
Tomato (1kg)
One kilogram of tomatoes costs 2.68 USD in Costa Rica and 6.25 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 57.1% lower in Costa Rica.
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs 2.14 USD in Costa Rica and 2.5 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 14.4% lower in Costa Rica.
Restaurant
Costa Rica vs. United States - expenses on meals in restaurants. You would pay 1.8 times less for meals in restaurants in Costa Rica than in the United States.
Cappuccino (regular)
For a cappuccino in a restaurant, you'll pay 3.19 USD in Costa Rica and 5.22 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 38.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
A 0.33 liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi costs 1.9 USD in Costa Rica and 2.8 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 32.1% lower in Costa Rica.
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
Domestic beer with a capacity of 0.5 liters costs 2.86 USD in Costa Rica and 8 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 64.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
A 0.33 liter bottle of imported beer costs 4.92 USD in Costa Rica and 10 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 50.8% lower in Costa Rica.
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
A McMeal or similar meal at McDonald's costs 8.86 USD in Costa Rica and 12 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 26.2% lower in Costa Rica.
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs 57.18 USD in Costa Rica and 100 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 42.8% lower in Costa Rica.
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 11.05 USD in Costa Rica and 25 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 55.8% lower in Costa Rica.
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
A 0.33 liter bottle of water costs 1.74 USD in Costa Rica and 2.2 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 20.9% lower in Costa Rica.
Fuel
Costa Rica vs. United States - expenses related to fuel. You would pay 1.36 times more for fuel in Costa Rica than in the United States.
Diesel 1L
A liter of diesel costs 1.15 USD in Costa Rica and 0.95 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 17.4% lower in the United States.
Gasoline 1L
A liter of gasoline costs 1.39 USD in Costa Rica and 0.92 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 33.8% lower in the United States.
Transportation
Costa Rica vs. United States - costs of transportation and public communication. You would pay 3.43 times less for transportation in Costa Rica than in the United States.
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
The monthly ticket price for public transportation is 38.49 USD in Costa Rica and 129 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 70.2% lower in Costa Rica.
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
The one-way ticket price for local transportation is 0.79 USD in Costa Rica and 2.75 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 71.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
The cost of a one-hour taxi stand/wait is 6.96 USD in Costa Rica and 30 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 76.8% lower in Costa Rica.
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
The fare for each kilometer traveled is 1.52 USD in Costa Rica and 1.86 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 18.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
The initial fare during a taxi ride is 1.28 USD in Costa Rica and 4.5 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 71.6% lower in Costa Rica.
Sports & entertainment
Costa Rica vs. United States - costs related to entertainment and sports.
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
The ticket price for a foreign film in the cinema is 7.88 USD in Costa Rica and 18 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 56.2% lower in Costa Rica.
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
The monthly fee for entry to the fitness club is 59.53 USD in Costa Rica and 98.26 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 39.4% lower in Costa Rica.
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
The cost of renting a tennis court for one hour on the weekend is 29.8 USD in Costa Rica and 38 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 21.6% lower in Costa Rica.
Flats for rent
Costa Rica vs. United States - costs of renting an apartment. You would pay about 4.84 times less for renting an apartment in Costa Rica than in the United States.
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
For renting an apartment in the city center consisting of a living room and one bedroom, you will pay 737.75 USD in Costa Rica and 3800 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 80.6% lower in Costa Rica.
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
For renting an apartment outside the city center consisting of a living room and one bedroom, you will pay 471.18 USD in Costa Rica and 2380 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 80.2% lower in Costa Rica.
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
For renting an apartment in the city center consisting of a living room and three bedrooms, you will pay 1447 USD in Costa Rica and 7094 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 79.6% lower in Costa Rica.
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
For renting an apartment outside the city center consisting of a living room and three bedrooms, you will pay 932.04 USD in Costa Rica and 4107 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 77.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Flats for sale
Costa Rica vs. United States - costs of purchasing an apartment. You would pay 6.28 times less for buying an apartment in Costa Rica than in the United States.
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
For one square meter of an apartment in the city center you will pay 2314 USD in Costa Rica and 14278 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 83.8% lower in Costa Rica.
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
For one square meter of an apartment outside the city center, you will pay 1439 USD in Costa Rica and 9275 USD in the United States. The price of this product is 84.5% lower in Costa Rica.
Salary
Costa Rica vs. United States - average salary. The average salary in Costa Rica is 6.81 times lower than in the United States.
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
The average monthly salary after taxes is 880.42 USD in Costa Rica and 5997 USD in the United States. The average salary is 85.3% lower in Costa Rica.
Hotels
Costa Rica vs. United States - prices of accommodation in hostels, guesthouses, and hotels.
One star
Two stars
Three stars
Four stars
Five stars
Average accommodation prices based on Expedia.com data • Update: 1 Dec 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 15 Dec 2024) • Costa Rica: 20 cities, 490 hotels • United States: 20 cities, 3920 hotels