When people are trying to decide whether to move/retire to a foreign country – or even visit a foreign country – the number one question asked is, Can I Afford It? The latest cost of living statistics are now out for Costa Rica, courtesy of Numbeo, and they discovered that the cost of living for Costa Rica in 2019 is 26.81% lower than in the United States. In 2018 Costa Rica’s rate was 23.08% lower than USA.
For many expats these statistics have little value because they came seeking an improvement in their quality of life, not to save money. They speak of sunsets, beaches, national parks, beautiful people, fresh fruits and vegetables year round, incredible wild animals, fabulous weather, superlative health care, a stable government, and other benefits they feel are priceless. Still, it’s helpful to have a line-by-line comparison of prices, available by accessing either numbeo.com or expatistan.com for the latest numbers.
Numbeo collected information from people living in Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia and San Jose. They discovered that the Cost of Living Index for San Jose is 43.62% lower than that of New York City, placing San Jose 217th place out of 441 cities in the world. Obviously, life outside the capital city is even less expensive. Previous studies found that Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, so if Cost of Living is the only concern, other countries offer more to expats.
Costa Rica is one of a handful of Latin American countries where it is safe to drink the water, but amazingly, San Jose has the 5th most expensive bottled water in the world!
Here is a brief summary of the difference in Cost of Living between USA and Costa Rica:
Consumer Prices in USA are 36.54% higher than in Costa Rica.
Rent Prices are in USA are 151.36% higher than in Costa Rica.
Restaurant Prices are 59.18% higher in USA than in Costa Rica.
Groceries are 39.94% higher in USA than in Costa Rica.
Local Purchasing Power is 158.97% higher in USA than in Costa Rica.
For the complete list of price differences between your home city and key cities of Costa Rica, access Numbeo’s website. They have other helpful information about Costa Rica, including property prices, crime stats, traffic, health care costs, etc. They also welcome information from those living in towns not yet in their survey.
Expats love to complain about how prices have gone up in recent years in Costa Rica, but the Numbeo stats indicate that this tiny country remains a great bargain, though perhaps not the cheapest.
For many expats these statistics have little value because they came seeking an improvement in their quality of life, not to save money. They speak of sunsets, beaches, national parks, beautiful people, fresh fruits and vegetables year round, incredible wild animals, fabulous weather, superlative health care, a stable government, and other benefits they feel are priceless. Still, it’s helpful to have a line-by-line comparison of prices, available by accessing either numbeo.com or expatistan.com for the latest numbers.
Numbeo collected information from people living in Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia and San Jose. They discovered that the Cost of Living Index for San Jose is 43.62% lower than that of New York City, placing San Jose 217th place out of 441 cities in the world. Obviously, life outside the capital city is even less expensive. Previous studies found that Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, so if Cost of Living is the only concern, other countries offer more to expats.
Costa Rica is one of a handful of Latin American countries where it is safe to drink the water, but amazingly, San Jose has the 5th most expensive bottled water in the world!
Here is a brief summary of the difference in Cost of Living between USA and Costa Rica:
Consumer Prices in USA are 36.54% higher than in Costa Rica.
Rent Prices are in USA are 151.36% higher than in Costa Rica.
Restaurant Prices are 59.18% higher in USA than in Costa Rica.
Groceries are 39.94% higher in USA than in Costa Rica.
Local Purchasing Power is 158.97% higher in USA than in Costa Rica.
For the complete list of price differences between your home city and key cities of Costa Rica, access Numbeo’s website. They have other helpful information about Costa Rica, including property prices, crime stats, traffic, health care costs, etc. They also welcome information from those living in towns not yet in their survey.
Expats love to complain about how prices have gone up in recent years in Costa Rica, but the Numbeo stats indicate that this tiny country remains a great bargain, though perhaps not the cheapest.
