Cost of living
Costa Rica compared to South Africa
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Overview comparison
Costa RicaSouth Africa
Consumer prices in Costa Rica are roughly 42% higher than in South Africa.
Cost of living
| Item | Costa Rica | South Africa |
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| Total with rent one person | 1,253 | 981 |
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| Total with rent family | 3,201 | 2,136 |
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| Without rent one person | 650 | 523 |
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| Without rent one family | 2,072 | 1,266 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 638.47 | 403.47 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 818.12 | 989.96 |
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| Food person | 374 | 313 |
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| Food family | 1,370 | 725 |
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| Transport person | 76.63 | 119.7 |
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| Transport family | 193.92 | 300.67 |
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| Life expectancy | 81 years | 66.31 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Costa Rica | South Africa |
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| Lunch Menu | 10.01 | 9.96 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 46.86 | 35.97 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 10.29 | 4.79 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.28 | 1.87 |
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| Cappuccino | 5.06 | 2.22 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 2.06 | 0.94 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Costa Rica | South Africa |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 572.04 | 486.65 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 379.54 | 296.11 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 915.52 | 769.62 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 636.13 | 708.84 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 47.01 | 55.88 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 81.16 | 109.45 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 40.37 | 49.59 |
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Transportation
| Item | Costa Rica | South Africa |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 13.39 | 10.18 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.98 | 1.55 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 7.33% | 11.62% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 15.71 | 7.95 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.39 | 1.29 |
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Groceries
| Item | Costa Rica | South Africa |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 2.32 | 0.93 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 1.86 | 0.87 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.56 | 2.51 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.19 | 9.77 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.12 | 4.56 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 11.38 | 6.79 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.36 | 1.74 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.58 | 0.58 |
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Other
| Item | Costa Rica | South Africa |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 45.67 | 27.61 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 8.88 | 6.28 |
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| Doctors visit | 57.9 | 25.25 |
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| Haircut, simple | 14.97 | 5.61 |
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| Brand Jeans | 73.84 | 47.91 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 129.47 | 89.81 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 445.57 | 198.35 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 11,161 | 4,295 |
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