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  3. Cost of Living & Prices: Costa Rica vs. United States

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.

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San JoséSan José
New York, NYNew York, NY

Table of contents

Grocery

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - grocery purchase prices. You would pay on average 1.29 times less for grocery shopping in Costa Rica than in the United States.

Apples (1kg)

One kilogram of apples costs 3.86 EUR (4.48 USD) in Costa Rica and 6.39 EUR (7.41 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 39.6% lower in Costa Rica.

3.86 EUR
6.39 EUR

Banana (1kg)

1 kilogram of bananas costs 1.27 EUR (1.48 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.17 EUR (2.52 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 41.5% lower in Costa Rica.

1.27 EUR
2.17 EUR

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

One kilogram of beef or similar meat costs 11.74 EUR (13.6 USD) in Costa Rica and 17.2 EUR (19.94 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 31.7% lower in Costa Rica.

11.74 EUR
17.20 EUR

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

A bottle of medium-grade wine costs 17.07 EUR (19.79 USD) in Costa Rica and 15.53 EUR (18 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 9% lower in the United States.

17.07 EUR
15.53 EUR

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

One kilogram of chicken fillet costs 7.83 EUR (9.08 USD) in Costa Rica and 13.87 EUR (16.08 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 43.5% lower in Costa Rica.

7.83 EUR
13.87 EUR

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

A pack of 20 cigarettes costs 4.52 EUR (5.24 USD) in Costa Rica and 16.39 EUR (19 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 72.4% lower in Costa Rica.

4.52 EUR
16.39 EUR

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

Domestic beer in a 0.5 liter bottle costs 2.12 EUR (2.45 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.88 EUR (3.34 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 26.4% lower in Costa Rica.

2.12 EUR
2.88 EUR

Eggs (regular) (12)

You will pay 2.54 EUR (2.94 USD) for 12 eggs in Costa Rica and 6.2 EUR (7.19 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 59% lower in Costa Rica.

2.54 EUR
6.20 EUR

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

A 0.33 liter bottle of imported beer costs 2.47 EUR (2.86 USD) in Costa Rica and 3.29 EUR (3.81 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 24.9% lower in Costa Rica.

2.47 EUR
3.29 EUR

Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre

A 0.7 liter bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey costs 29.94 EUR (34.7 USD) in Costa Rica and 21.56 EUR (24.99 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 28% lower in the United States.

29.94 EUR
21.56 EUR

Lettuce (1 head)

One head of lettuce costs 0.85 EUR (0.99 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.54 EUR (2.94 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 66.5% lower in Costa Rica.

0.85 EUR
2.54 EUR

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

One loaf of fresh white bread costs 2.43 EUR (2.82 USD) in Costa Rica and 4.32 EUR (5.01 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 43.8% lower in Costa Rica.

2.43 EUR
4.32 EUR

Local Cheese (1kg)

One kilogram of locally produced cheese costs 8.54 EUR (9.89 USD) in Costa Rica and 14.81 EUR (17.16 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 42.3% lower in Costa Rica.

8.54 EUR
14.81 EUR

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

One liter of milk costs 1.73 EUR (2 USD) in Costa Rica and 1.37 EUR (1.59 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 20.8% lower in the United States.

1.73 EUR
1.37 EUR

Onion (1kg)

One kilogram of onions costs 2.72 EUR (3.15 USD) in Costa Rica and 3.46 EUR (4.01 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 21.4% lower in Costa Rica.

2.72 EUR
3.46 EUR

Oranges (1kg)

One kilogram of oranges costs 3.66 EUR (4.24 USD) in Costa Rica and 4.94 EUR (5.72 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 25.9% lower in Costa Rica.

3.66 EUR
4.94 EUR

Potato (1kg)

One kilogram of potatoes costs 2.98 EUR (3.46 USD) in Costa Rica and 3.23 EUR (3.74 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 7.7% lower in Costa Rica.

2.98 EUR
3.23 EUR

Rice (white), (1kg)

One kilogram of white rice costs 1.88 EUR (2.18 USD) in Costa Rica and 7.14 EUR (8.27 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 73.7% lower in Costa Rica.

1.88 EUR
7.14 EUR

Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre

A 0.7 liter bottle of Smirnoff Red Label vodka costs 12.11 EUR (14.03 USD) in Costa Rica and 7.75 EUR (8.98 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 36% lower in the United States.

12.11 EUR
7.75 EUR

Tomato (1kg)

One kilogram of tomatoes costs 3 EUR (3.48 USD) in Costa Rica and 5.5 EUR (6.37 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 45.5% lower in Costa Rica.

3.00 EUR
5.50 EUR

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs 2.48 EUR (2.87 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.15 EUR (2.49 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 13.3% lower in the United States.

2.48 EUR
2.15 EUR

Restaurant

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - expenses on meals in restaurants. You would pay 2.22 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 3.3 EUR (3.82 USD) in Costa Rica and 5.06 EUR (5.86 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 34.8% lower in Costa Rica.

3.30 EUR
5.06 EUR

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

A 0.33 liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi costs 1.73 EUR (2.01 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.85 EUR (3.3 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 39.3% lower in Costa Rica.

1.73 EUR
2.85 EUR

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

Domestic beer with a capacity of 0.5 liters costs 2.3 EUR (2.67 USD) in Costa Rica and 6.9 EUR (8 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 66.7% lower in Costa Rica.

2.30 EUR
6.90 EUR

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

A 0.33 liter bottle of imported beer costs 4.01 EUR (4.65 USD) in Costa Rica and 10.35 EUR (12 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 61.3% lower in Costa Rica.

4.01 EUR
10.35 EUR

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

A McMeal or similar meal at McDonald's costs 8.54 EUR (9.89 USD) in Costa Rica and 10.35 EUR (12 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 17.5% lower in Costa Rica.

8.54 EUR
10.35 EUR

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs 51.22 EUR (59.36 USD) in Costa Rica and 120.79 EUR (140 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 57.6% lower in Costa Rica.

51.22 EUR
120.79 EUR

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 9.01 EUR (10.44 USD) in Costa Rica and 22.43 EUR (26 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 59.8% lower in Costa Rica.

9.01 EUR
22.43 EUR

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

A 0.33 liter bottle of water costs 1.41 EUR (1.63 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.2 EUR (2.55 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 35.9% lower in Costa Rica.

1.41 EUR
2.20 EUR

Fuel

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - expenses related to fuel. You would pay 1.24 times more for fuel in Costa Rica than in the United States.

Diesel 1L

A liter of diesel costs 0.91 EUR (1.05 USD) in Costa Rica and 0.85 EUR (0.99 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 6.6% lower in the United States.

0.91 EUR
0.85 EUR

Gasoline 1L

A liter of gasoline costs 1.14 EUR (1.32 USD) in Costa Rica and 0.8 EUR (0.93 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 29.8% lower in the United States.

1.14 EUR
0.80 EUR

Transportation

EURUSDCRC

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 35.51 EUR (41.16 USD) in Costa Rica and 113.89 EUR (132 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 68.8% lower in Costa Rica.

35.51 EUR
113.89 EUR

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

The one-way ticket price for local transportation is 0.85 EUR (0.99 USD) in Costa Rica and 2.5 EUR (2.9 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 66% lower in Costa Rica.

0.85 EUR
2.50 EUR

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

The cost of a one-hour taxi stand/wait is 6.77 EUR (7.85 USD) in Costa Rica and 36.24 EUR (42 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 81.3% lower in Costa Rica.

6.77 EUR
36.24 EUR

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

The fare for each kilometer traveled is 1.55 EUR (1.8 USD) in Costa Rica and 1.87 EUR (2.17 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 17.1% lower in Costa Rica.

1.55 EUR
1.87 EUR

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

The initial fare during a taxi ride is 1.58 EUR (1.83 USD) in Costa Rica and 4.31 EUR (4.99 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 63.3% lower in Costa Rica.

1.58 EUR
4.31 EUR

Sports & entertainment

EURUSDCRC

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 8.54 EUR (9.89 USD) in Costa Rica and 17.26 EUR (20 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 50.5% lower in Costa Rica.

8.54 EUR
17.26 EUR

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

The monthly fee for entry to the fitness club is 48.79 EUR (56.55 USD) in Costa Rica and 136.13 EUR (157.77 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 64.2% lower in Costa Rica.

48.79 EUR
136.13 EUR

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

The cost of renting a tennis court for one hour on the weekend is 32.93 EUR (38.17 USD) in Costa Rica and 56.08 EUR (65 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 41.3% lower in Costa Rica.

32.93 EUR
56.08 EUR

Flats for rent

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - costs of renting an apartment. You would pay about 5.17 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 750.85 EUR (870.23 USD) in Costa Rica and 3501 EUR (4057.67 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 78.6% lower in Costa Rica.

750.85 EUR
3 501 EUR

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 471.91 EUR (546.94 USD) in Costa Rica and 2194 EUR (2543.17 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 78.5% lower in Costa Rica.

471.91 EUR
2 194 EUR

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 1237 EUR (1433.68 USD) in Costa Rica and 7094 EUR (8221.43 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 82.6% lower in Costa Rica.

1 237 EUR
7 094 EUR

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 886.47 EUR (1027.4 USD) in Costa Rica and 4510 EUR (5226.67 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 80.3% lower in Costa Rica.

886.47 EUR
4 510 EUR

Flats for sale

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - costs of purchasing an apartment. You would pay 6.4 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 2504 EUR (2902.2 USD) in Costa Rica and 14974 EUR (17355.2 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 83.3% lower in Costa Rica.

2 504 EUR
14 974 EUR

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

For one square meter of an apartment outside the city center, you will pay 1476 EUR (1710.33 USD) in Costa Rica and 10506 EUR (12176.1 USD) in the United States. The price of this product is 86% lower in Costa Rica.

1 476 EUR
10 506 EUR

Salary

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - average salary. The average salary in Costa Rica is 5.27 times lower than in the United States.

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

The average monthly salary after taxes is 841.71 EUR (975.53 USD) in Costa Rica and 4439 EUR (5145.25 USD) in the United States. The average salary is 81% lower in Costa Rica.

841.71 EUR
4 439 EUR

Hotels

EURUSDCRC

Costa Rica vs. United States - prices of accommodation in hostels, guesthouses, and hotels.

One star

43.7 EUR
89.5 EUR

Two stars

93.3 EUR
126 EUR

Three stars

185 EUR
168 EUR

Four stars

301 EUR
218 EUR

Five stars

-
519 EUR

Average accommodation prices based on Expedia.com data • Update: 15 Dec 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024) • Costa Rica: 19 cities, 254 hotels • United States: 20 cities, 3762 hotels

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