Cost of living
Costa Rica compared to Nicaragua
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Overview comparison
Costa RicaNicaragua
Consumer prices in Costa Rica are roughly 42% higher than in Nicaragua.
Cost of living
| Item | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
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| Total with rent one person | 1,253 | 678 |
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| Total with rent family | 3,201 | 1,942 |
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| Without rent one person | 650 | 359 |
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| Without rent one family | 2,072 | 1,274 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 638.47 | 272.15 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 818.12 | 462.41 |
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| Food person | 374 | 260 |
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| Food family | 1,370 | 684 |
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| Transport person | 76.63 | 42.5 |
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| Transport family | 193.92 | 150.27 |
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| Life expectancy | 69.84 years | 82.24 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 10.01 | 6.88 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 46.86 | 19.54 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 10.29 | 5.25 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.28 | 1.12 |
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| Cappuccino | 5.06 | 2.13 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 2.06 | 0.67 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 572.04 | 278.95 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 379.54 | 201.43 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 915.52 | 397.62 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 636.13 | 272.27 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 47.01 | 36.93 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 81.16 | 49.62 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 40.37 | 44.84 |
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Transportation
| Item | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 13.39 | 10.12 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 2,457 | 1,235 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 1,659 | 982 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.98 | 0.5 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 54.92% | 23.65% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 15.71 | 7.13 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.39 | 1.52 |
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Groceries
| Item | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 2.32 | 0.91 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 1.86 | 1.08 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.56 | 1.53 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.19 | 3.54 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.12 | 4.05 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 11.38 | 6.71 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.36 | 1.51 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.58 | 0.71 |
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Other
| Item | Costa Rica | Nicaragua |
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| Gym Membership, 1 month | 45.67 | 29.38 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 8.88 | 5.97 |
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| Doctors visit | 57.9 | 28.89 |
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| Haircut, simple | 14.97 | 3.5 |
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| Brand Jeans | 73.84 | 47.76 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 129.47 | 70.46 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 445.57 | 119.69 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 11,161 | 7,166 |
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