Cost of Living in Costa Rica Compared to the U.S. & Canada

Rent - The real estate market in much of Costa Rica has been booming in the past 1-2 years, and it is increasingly difficult to find long-term rentals. You can still find great deals on rent in areas with more stock, especially in the Central Valley region. Rental prices may vary significantly between the high and low tourist seasons, particularly in popular tourist destinations, with monthly rent sometimes dropping as much as 50% from April to November. If you're looking for a basic one-room apartment, you could expect to pay ~$700, while a well-appointed three bedroom house could run you ~$2500 per month.

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Health Care - Health care is generally high-quality and affordable. If you're a resident, you can access the government-run healthcare system, called Caja. You will be obliged to pay into the Social Security system at a progressive rate based on your income, but many of your medical needs will be taken care of. If you decide instead to use private clinics, you may pay $50 for an x-ray out of pocket, and between $25-50 for a doctor’s visit.

 

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Transportation - Public transportation in the metro areas is plentiful and cheap. A round trip bus trip from San Jose to the beach can cost $10. Purchasing a car, which many expats opt to do, can be more expensive than you're used to. Stiff car import duties and the long, bureaucratic process to actually get your car released from the port can make importing your own car into Costa Rica a long, painful, expensive process. As such, Americans often shop for used, older models in Costa Rica. Anything in decent shape and with 4-wheel drive could be 20%+ more expensive than what you might pay in the States or Canada.

 

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Food - Imported foods and eating at expat restaurants will be pricey, although eating out can still be significantly cheaper than some places in the US. Eating like a local could save you significant money. Local products like rice, chicken, and fruit are affordable ($1.50 for a pineapple, $10 for a pound of snapper). A full lunch of rice, beans, vegetables, and a piece of meat at a local soda will be about $5 in most places.