🇨🇷 Cost of Living in Costa Rica
3 cities, ranked from wallet-friendly to wallet-hostile
Median monthly budget · single · city center
$950/mo
Across 3 cities we track
Couple
$950
Family of 4
$1,600
City-by-city damage report
Rent — the biggest line item
Source: Numbeo. Prices in USD.
Grocery prices — the supermarket reality check
Median across 3 cities
Eating out — because you won't cook every night
Median prices across 3 cities
Getting around — or trying to
Median prices across 3 cities
Costa Rica vs. the neighbors
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica?▼
Across 3 cities, a single person spends a median of $950/month including rent. Atenas is the cheapest at $650/mo, while San Jose runs $1,600/mo.
What is the average rent in Costa Rica?▼
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $950/month across 3 cities we track.
What is the average salary in Costa Rica?▼
The median monthly net salary (after tax) across 3 cities is about $1,061, based on Numbeo data.
What is the cheapest city in Costa Rica?▼
Atenas is the most affordable at $650/month for a single person. San Jose is the most expensive at $1,600/month.
Cost data sourced from Numbeo. Updated periodically.