Cost of Living in Costa Rica

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Mar 01, 2024

Summary: The cost of living in Costa Rica is generally considered to be quite affordable. A nice 1 bedroom apartment can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per month, while a nice 2 bedroom apartment can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500 per month. The cost of dinner at a moderately priced restaurant can range from $10 to $20 per person.

Is the cost of living in Costa Rica high?

We asked people how much they someone comfortably live on in Costa Rica, they wrote:

"Depends on lifestyle. I eat all my meals in restaurants, go to coffee shops, have a big social life and go on a lot of dates, I travel every month. My expense including all this are around $3500/mo," said one expat in San Jose.

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About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.