The cost of living in Costa Rica Vs. USA will be a hot topic for anyone planning to relocate. If you’re moving from America to Costa Rica and vice versa, your life has to change positively.
In other words, your standard of living will change. You’ll live better than you were. That is the point. You cannot be living comfortably in Costa Rica and become homeless in America.
So, before you relocate, please read this post. Compare the cost of living in both countries before you make a decision.
Cost of Living In Costa Rica Vs. USA Summarized
Let us start with Costa Rica. There is a reason many expats want to retire in Costa Rica. Besides the weather, Costa Rica has a welcoming community, and beautiful scenes.
The cost of living in Costa Rica is another reason many expats prefer to retire in the country. Additionally, its residency program is one of the best you’ll ever find.
It is not just expats who are trooping into Costa Rica to retire. Young people are also doing the same.
On the other hand, the United States of America is the dream country of many people in the world. Many people want to live the American dream.
The United States of America is the land of opportunities. It has the world’s largest economy and is occupied by people from different parts of the world.
There are some states considered great to retire in. Examples include Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Alaska. These states have no income tax.
A Handy Tip: The cost of living in Costa Rica is far lower than in the United States of America. In Costa Rica, you can survive with an income of $1,500 to $2,000 per month.
A family of four can survive in Costa Rica on a salary of $3,000 to $3,500. In other words, you’ll pay your rent and transportation, including feeding yourself and your family comfortably.
In this post, we did a detailed comparison of the cost of living in the United States of America compared to Costa Rica. Let’s get into it.
Housing Cost In Costa Rica Vs USA
Living in Costa Rica is cheaper than living in the United States of America. The cost of living in Costa Rica is approximately 37% lower than in the United States of America.
What about the housing cost in Costa Rica compared to the United States of America? That is where you’ll discover a massive difference between both countries.
The cost of renting an apartment in Costa Rica is around 71% lower than renting in the United States of America.
How much does it cost to rent a house in the most expensive city in Costa Rica vs. the United States of America?
This comparison will show you how less expensive Costa Rica is. The most expensive and largest city, San Jose, is the capital. This city has a population of 2 million people.
Surprisingly, renting a house in San Jose is approximately $600 to $740 monthly for a one bedroom apartment.
For a two-bedroom apartment, expect to pay around $1,125 to $1,375 per month on rent in San Jose.
Outside of San Jose in places like Cartago, rent is far much cheaper. You can get a one-bedroom apartment for $255 to $315 per month. A two-bedroom apartment costs about $415 to $515 per month.
We have mentioned the cost of renting a house in the most expensive and largest city in Costa Rica, San Jose. Now, how much does it cost to rent a house in the United States of America?
In New York City, the most populated city in the United States of America, a one-bedroom apartment costs around $4,300. For a two-bedroom, expect to pay somewhere around $5000 per month.
In Jersey City, New Jersey, rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $3,090. A two-bedroom apartment costs $3,950.
America also has places with cheaper rent. But the main thing is rent in the places considered the cheapest in the USA is more expensive than rent in San Jose (Costa Rica’s most expensive city).
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has the cheapest rent in the whole of the United States of America. Renting an apartment in this city costs $839 per month.
You cannot even compare this amount with Costa Rica’s cities with the cheapest rates. Rent in Oklahoma City is even more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica’s most expensive country.
A Handy Tip: So housing in Costa Rica is cheaper than in the United States of America.
Several factors determine the cost of housing in Costa Rica and the United States of America. These include location and tourist attractions. Major tourist destinations have high rental and real estate prices.
Rental and housing costs are lower in rural areas and smaller towns both in the United States of America and Costa Rica.
The type of apartment you’re renting is another factor that influences the prices of homes in both countries. A one-bedroom apartment costs more than a two-bedroom apartment.
The price of housing in both countries will depend on the amenities both have. A house with modern amenities will likely cost more money.
A quick advice for people seeking to move to the United States of America from Costa Rica or vice versa is to consider budget and lifestyle when choosing a house to rent. If you live a luxurious lifestyle, ensure you’re earning enough money to sustain it.
Sometimes, one needs to change their lifestyle after moving to a new area. Consider adapting to your new environment before you start spending lavishly.
Cost of Food And Groceries in Costa Rica Vs USA
The price of groceries in Costa Rica is significantly lower than in the United States of America, provided you purchase local produce. The important groceries like wine and meat are quite expensive.
The price of groceries in Costa Rica is 28.5% lower than in America. But what about eating out? Is it cheaper to eat out in Costa Rica than in the United States of America?
For those who enjoy eating out, living in Costa Rica will be a great decision. The cost of eating out in Costa Rica is 38.2% lower than in the United States of America.
In Costa Rica, lunch (in an expensive restaurant) for one person will cost around $6 to $8. But if you choose to eat dinner in a nice restaurant with your partner, expect to spend around $34 to $42.
Cooking at home is much cheaper than buying food from a restaurant. So, you can further lower the amount you spend on food (in Costa Rica and the United States) by learning how to cook and prepare your meals.
In Costa Rica, the average price of potatoes (per pound) is around $0.70 to $0.86. The average price of rice (per pound) is around $0.63 to 0.77. Furthermore, the average price of chicken breast (per pound) is around $2.70 to $3.30 in Costa Rica.
In the United States of America, the average price of potatoes (per pound) is $0.50 to $1.50. The average price of rice (per pound) is $0.98 to $0.96. For a boneless chicken breast, a pound cost $4.08.
How much is a cup of cappuccino in Costa Rica compared to America? In Costa Rica, cappuccino is around $2.20 to $2.68. Sounds a bit expensive, right? Well, the thing is, Costa Rica is home to some of the best coffees in the world.
In the United States of America, the price of cappuccino is higher than in Costa Rica. As of December 2021, the price of coffee was at an all-time high. Unfortunately, manufacturers have to pass down the high cost to consumers.
In the United States of America, the national average for a cappuccino is now $4.36. So, you can see that Costa Rica’s cappuccino price is significantly lower. Besides, you’ll be consuming good quality coffee in the country.
Cost of Entertainment in Costa Rica Vs. USA
Entertainment is necessary no matter where you live. Proper entertainment can help you might depression and improve your mind.
The cost of getting entertainment in Costa Rica differs from the United States of America. It depends on the type of entertainment you seek. Are you seeing a movie, concert, gym, or other form of entertainment?
To see a movie, the ticket will cost you somewhere around $5.13 and $6.27 in Costa Rica.
But, in the United States of America, the cost of entertainment is a bit higher. The price of a movie ticket is approximately $11.9.
Gym membership in Costa Rica is around $38 to $46. It varies based on different factors, including location.
In The United States of America, gym membership varies based on location and other factors. However, you should expect to spend from as low as $20 to as high as $60.
If you live in a big city with numerous tourist attractions, gym membership, ticket prices, and other items will cost more. In rural areas, the prices will be a little lower.
Cost of Transportation in Costa Rica Vs. USA
Make up your mind on how you want to commute. Do you want to drive around Costa Rica or The United States of America after relocating? Or would you rather commute via public transport? The choice is yours to make.
It is possible to drive your car in both countries. Costa Rica has a great road network like the United States of America. However, driving in Costa Rica can be tough. You’ll encounter other hostile drivers on the way.
So, if you want to drive your car in Costa Rica, ensure you are capable of driving safely against other drivers considered hostile and rough.
The cost of vehicles in Costa Rica is similar to the United States in America. Or, we can say there is not much difference. However, the price of a gallon of gas in Costa Rica is $3.92 to $4.79.
The price of gas in the United States of America is almost the same in Costa Rica. The only good thing is that you’ll save more money on groceries and housing in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s public transportation is well-organized and effective. It is a wise choice for people who don’t own a car or like driving to commute around the country.
How much does public transportation cost in Costa Rica? For a one-way ticket, expect to pay $0.68 to $0.82. For a taxi, the price per mile is $1.50 to $1.82, while the base fare is $0.90 to $1.10.
How much does public transportation cost in the United States of America? A bus ticket in the United States of America costs $2.27. So, in the United States of America, public transportation is more expensive than in Costa Rica.
A Handy Tip: The cost of gas is usually cheaper in the United States of America than in Costa Rica. In most cases, a gallon of gas in Costa Rica increases above $5. In the United States of America, the average price is around $4.
Cost of Utilities in Costa Rica Vs USA
Utilities are another area to consider before relocating to Costa Rica from the United States of America and vice versa. So, which country’s utilities are the cheapest?
Utility in Costa Rica costs a lot less than in the United States of America. These include utilities like water, electricity, and internet. For instance, in Costa Rica, the average cost of electricity per month is $30. Unfortunately, in the United States, it’s four times that amount. The cost of electricity in the United States is $120 per month.
Cost of Healthcare in Costa Rica Vs. United States of America
Healthcare services in Costa Rica are far better than in the United States of America. According to the World Health Organization’s ranking of healthcare services in countries, Costa Rica is ahead of the United States of America. They rank 36th in the world, ahead of Cuba, New Zealand, and the United States of America.
Healthcare service is also cheaper in Costa Rica. A typical hospital visit in Costa Rica costs $63, while a typical hospital visit in the United States costs $116.
Costa Rica Vs USA: Where Should You Retire?
As a senior citizen, moving to a place with a lower cost of living will be a wise choice. There, you can manage your retirement benefits and live your best life.
So, which is best to move to between the United States of America and Costa Rica? In terms of the cost of living, Costa Rica is far better. The average cost of living in Costa Rica is $1 073, while in the United States of America, the cost of living is $2 317.
Conclusion
What is the cost of living in Costa Rica vs. USA? Costa Rica’s cost of living is much lower. However, there are more job opportunities in the United States of America.
Costa Rica is a great country for retirees. You’ll live comfortably as a retiree, even in the largest and most popular city in the country. But if you’re still in your productive age, and want to work in Costa Rica, keep in mind that you’ll earn less salary.
In other words, the salary you’ll earn in Costa Rica will be lower than when you’re living in the United States of America.
