What does it cost to live in Costa Rica? Many North Americans and Europeans ask this question before they make the move. They dream of a better life in paradise but often wonder if they can afford it. Well, I have great news! According to data on numbeo.com, the average cost of living in Costa Rica (including food, utilities, health care, and transportation) is 32% lower than in the United States. Rent is factored separately, and it’s 64% less in Costa Rica (if you average all U.S. cities). On the other hand, averages can sometimes be deceiving.
So, What Does it Really Cost to Live In Costa Rica?
There are some aspects of life in Costa Rica that are more expensive compared to North America, while others are considerably less. Living in Costa Rica on a budget all depends on the lifestyle you want to live, so we’ll cover the basics. Let’s start with everyone’s favorite – food!
Food Costs in Costa Rica
How much you spend on food and groceries in Costa Rica depends on your preferences, though it may be harder to find or a little more expensive than back home. However, there are plenty of deals to be had, and fortunately, fresh fruits and vegetables are among them!
Produce, Meat & Seafood
You’ll find several options for purchasing fresh produce in the Playa del Coco area. You can shop at local vendors, such as Los Cartagos or one of the many open-air markets. The prices are so low that you can fill two big bags for $20-30. Many vendors even offer free samples so you can try before you buy. But you may not want to turn vegan just yet…
If you prefer serving proteins like meat and seafood with your fresh produce, you’ll also find several great butcher shops to choose from, all at very reasonable prices! For example, I’ve picked up a complete “Lomito” or full tenderloin of beef (AKA filet mignon) at just $8.75 per pound – and it was all cleaned up and ready to cut into steaks. Now, you can’t beat that!
Living right on the beach also gives you access to the freshest seafood. You can purchase fish, shrimp, and lobster directly from the fisherman for half the price!
the Essentials (And the Not-So-Essential)
The prices of essential items like milk and bread are comparable to the U.S., while alcohol is more expensive in Costa Rica because of what they call the “Sin Tax”. And if you have a taste for your favorite brand of beer, chips, or other processed foods from your home country, expect to pay a premium if you decide to buy them.
Imported products usually cost more in Costa Rica because of the additional transportation costs and importation tax. However, many of the local brands available are as good, if not better than, the “favorites” from back home. So, buying locally is a great way to reduce the cost of living in Costa Rica.
Restaurant Dining
For dining out, the average meal cost depends on the restaurant. As an example, a full meal of “Casado” – the national plate of Costa Rica that consists of rice, beans, protein, fried plantains, and either sauteed vegetables or homemade picadillo – at a local Soda, as they are called here, is only $10, and this includes a beverage and usually dessert, as well.
As for beachfront dining, a whole grilled fish might run you $20, and your beverage is additional. So how much you spend on restaurant dining depends on your preference – and there are a hundred options to choose from in the Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco areas alone.
Housing & Utility Costs in Costa Rica
How much it costs to own a home in Costa Rica depends on a few factors, such as location and homeowners association fees. Property taxes are also significantly low, at only .25% of the assessed registered value. That’s just $250 U.S. dollars per year for every $100,000.00 of value registered.
Rent can consume quite a large portion of your budget when living in Costa Rica. How much? Once again, it depends on how and where you live. Rent tends to run higher in popular beach areas, especially if the home has an ocean view and offers all the amenities you enjoyed before. On the other hand, simpler homes within a short drive of the beach can be quite affordable.
Need more info about housing costs? Check out our real estate guides for more detailed explanations:
The Costs of Gas, electric, and other Utilities
Depending on how and where you live in this Central American paradise, you’ll experience substantial savings on utility costs in Costa Rica. There is no need to pay heating bills anywhere in the country – a huge cost savings compared to the $300 per month or higher you’d pay for heat in northern climates just to survive the winter! Water is also abundant and high quality. Phone, Internet, and cable TV packages are reasonably priced.
Gas & Electricity
Costa Rica doesn’t have city gas, only propane gas tanks, which can be purchased in most small grocery stores. You only buy the tank the first time, then you simply exchange it for a full one when it runs out, paying only for the actual propane. However, if you have a larger tank, the gas company will come to your home and swap them out for you. It only costs me $68 for a refill and that includes transportation.
Other than housing, electricity will be your biggest expense. If you choose to live in the beautiful Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa areas, you’ll likely need to air condition your residence to some extent. Not only do temperatures remain around 70-90 degrees all year long, but the average humidity is between 70-90% from May through November, though this depends on your exact location.
From mid-November through April, the humidity averages from 25-60%. Without AC, your home may be too hot and humid for comfort, and you may find staying ahead of mold and mildew growth challenging. However, ceiling fans can help alleviate this.
What Can You Expect Your Monthly Electric Bill To Look Like?
This depends on your standard of living and comfort level. Let’s say you have a two-bedroom, 1000-square-foot house: the monthly cooling cost would be about $150. If you only cool your bedroom at night, your monthly cost could be around $80. If you run two or three AC units all day and night in a larger home, your monthly bill could reach $400.
Clients often ask me why electricity costs are so high in a Third World country that gets most of its electricity from renewable sources. Some expats even believe they’re victims of “gringo pricing,” meaning they think the local utility knows they’re foreigners and charges them more than their Tico neighbors. That is false! Your electricity bill IS likely higher than your Tico neighbors because the electric company’s rates favor low consumption.
Electricity in the area is provided by Coopeguanacaste, which charges 11 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the first 200 used. After that, the rate increases to 15 cents per kWh. Ticos consume less energy than their Northern neighbors so they may stay below the 200 kWh threshold. This is because, despite the hotter climates of Costa Rica, home air conditioning is uncommon for most locals.
Ticos also tend to have smaller refrigerators and stoves than their foreign neighbors, so they do not use (or even own, in some cases) energy-sucking appliances such as water heaters, ovens, toasters, clothes dryers, or hair dryers. If you’re accustomed to using these types of appliances then expect your utility bill to be significantly higher than your Tico neighbor’s.
Water, Garbage & Sewage
Costa Rica has excellent water quality that is readily available and reasonably priced. Monthly water bills for normal household usage run between $10-15. However, that’s a different story if you water your lawn and garden daily. Your real estate agent can provide you with the specifics of water availability in your location of interest.
Garbage pickup is typically done twice a week and is the responsibility of the municipality where the property is located. The cost is minimal and is paid with your municipal property taxes. As for sewage costs, it’s “to each their own” in Costa Rica. There are exceptions in the upscale neighborhoods around San Jose and Escazu, which utilize community sewage lines. But, in the rest of the country, each home or condominium complex has a septic tank or other wastewater treatment system.
Telecommunication Costs in Costa Rica
Several companies in Costa Rica offer phone, Internet, and cable TV packages, with an average monthly cost of $80. For example, Kolbi, Claro, Liberty, and ICE (the Institute of Costa Rica Electricity) provide home and mobile phone services, standard cable, and Internet bundles; Sky and Starlink provide satellite TV and Internet services. Movistar also offers mobile phone coverage. Most offer excellent services, however, we recommend researching the services available in your area of interest to determine which suits your needs best. Talk to neighbors and other expats for recommendations.
The Cost of Healthcare in Costa Rica
One of the great things about living in Costa Rica is its national healthcare system, known as “CAJA” (the Spanish acronym for “Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social”), which offers great savings compared to healthcare costs in the U.S. For example, a visit to my cardiologist costs me just $120.00 plus tax. Enrollment is required for all Costa Rican residents, and the relatively low monthly fee covers all clinic and hospital visits, along with some prescriptions.
The Total Cost of Living the “Pura Vida” Lifestyle
So, what does it all cost when you add everything up? Generally, a single person could live well on a monthly budget of $1,700, while a couple could live comfortably on $3,000. But, your costs may vary, depending on your lifestyle. So come down and see for yourself – Costa Rica might be what you’re looking for!
