MigrantoCost of living in Costa Rica
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Costa Rica
Spending runs from CRC 117,000 a month in the poorest fifth to CRC 1,290,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
CRC 349,000
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
CRC 117,000richest 20%
CRC 1,290,000
Where people spend money in Costa Rica
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat
Key facts
The cost of living in Costa Rica in numbers
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs CRC 678,000 here against CRC 599,000 in Belize, the closest on price.
The richest fifth spends 11.1× the poorest
Spending runs from CRC 117,000 a month in the poorest fifth to CRC 1,290,000 in the richest, which is #14 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
Typical spending takes 65% of the average wage
A typical person spends CRC 349,000 a month while the average take-home wage is CRC 536,000, so 35% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Costa Rica compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Costa Rica against other countries
More expensive than 79% of countries
Where Costa Rica sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs CRC 458,000 at world-middle prices costs CRC 678,000 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2021 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Costa Rica
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Costa Rica and how much you could have left each month
- What your lifestyle costs
- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in Costa Rica
CRC 117,000/mo
vs CRC 366,000 in your country
Take-home
CRC 381,000
vs CRC 549,000 in your country
Potential savings
CRC 264,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
Under a minute, no sign-up
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?
A typical person in Costa Rica spends about CRC 349,000 a month — around CRC 4,190,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Costa Rica?
By spending, Costa Rica ranks #61 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about CRC 349,000 a month, the poorest 20% about CRC 117,000 and the richest 20% about CRC 1,290,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Costa Rica in US dollars?
The cost of living in Costa Rica is about $763 a month, or roughly $9,156 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about CRC 117,000 a month per person, a typical one around CRC 349,000, and a comfortable life around CRC 552,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Costa Rica?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about CRC 78,700 a month (23% of spending). Then come housing (CRC 55,400, 16%) and transport (CRC 42,600, 12%).
Is the average salary in Costa Rica enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about CRC 349,000 a month, while the average take-home pay in Costa Rica is about CRC 536,000. For more on incomes, see salaries in Costa Rica.
Is Costa Rica an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Costa Rica is more expensive than 67% of countries worldwide and ranks 10th of 33 in Latin America by cost of living.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
Score countries, regions and cities by what matters to you
Living in Costa Rica
See the full country overview