Brazil vs Costa Rica: Cost of Living & Salary comparison (2024)

FAQs

Is Costa Rica more expensive than Brazil? ›

Costa Rica is 23% more expensive than Brazil. Sep 2023 Cost of Living.

The average cost of living in Brazil ($736) is 31% less expensive than in Costa Rica ($1073). Brazil ranked 122nd vs 72nd for Costa Rica in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

Cost of Living in Costa Rica: $1,100 to $4,000

This averages living costs across many months—you may spend more getting set up. An expat can average $1,100 per month on a tight budget, but even the most budget-conscious retirees and digital nomads will do best with a $2,000+ a month budget for a couple.

For starters, the average salary in Costa Rica is around 28,300,000 CRC per year — equivalent to 52,586 USD per year according to the exchange rate in April 2023. Costa Rica is rapidly making a name for itself, not just in Latin America but in the world, as a technology hub.

What is the safest country in Central and South America? According to the 2022 Global Peace Index, which ranks countries according to security and safety, the safest country in Central and South America is Costa Rica, which sits at position 38 out of 163 and is ranked “high” for the country's state of peace.

In many aspects, Costa Rica is a success story in terms of development. It is considered an upper middle-income country, which has shown a steady economic growth over the past 25 years.

Is Brazil Expensive for Tourists? Quick Answer: Yes – Brazil is amongst the top 5 most expensive countries in Latin America – so you'll need to adjust your budget to be able to extend your stay here.

Cost of Living Comparison

The average cost of living in Costa Rica is around 30% lower than in the United States. This means that you'll be able to stretch your budget much further in Costa Rica than in the U.S. and enjoy a higher quality of life for a much lower cost.

What is the most expensive country in South America and why? The most expensive country you can currently visit in South America is Chile (which is closely followed by Venezuela – believe it or not).

How long will $100,000 last in Costa Rica? Depending on your lifestyle and expenses, $100,000 can last for several years in Costa Rica. With the affordable cost of living, you can live comfortably on a budget of $1,500 to $2,500 per month.

Can you live in Costa Rica for $5000 a month? ›

Affordable Day-to-Day Living in Costa Rica

A single person can live on between $1,600 and $2,000 a month. Some single people scrape by on considerably less, and others spend hundreds of dollars more, depending on their lifestyle. Some retired couples live well on $2,000 per month and even better on $2,500 to $3,000.

The cost of living in Costa Rica is relatively cheap compared to the cost of living in the USA. Most expats in Costa Rica can live comfortably on $1,500 – $2,000 per month.

The total average monthly income of a household in that fifth quintile is ₡2,634,851 (about $4,440). And per the daily La Nación, the richest 10% of households in Costa Rica earn an average of ₡3.4 million (about $5,730). That places Cruz, and his personal income of ₡6.3 million, well into the highest tier of earners.

Lengthy Process. Although Costa Rica is an incredible place to travel, it can be a difficult place to get a job abroad. The process of finding a job, getting a work visa, and earning a living wage can be long and discouraging. It's not easy, but like most things that take work, it's worth it.

If you're wondering “Is Costa Rica expensive?”, the answer is yes and no. Compared to other Central American countries like Nicaragua or El Salvador, Costa Rica is generally more on the expensive side. It's pretty well-developed and has a thriving tourism industry, so things do cost more.

According to a recent study, Colombia had the lowest monthly cost of living in Latin America with 546 U.S. dollars needed for basic living. In contrast, four countries had a cost of living above one thousand dollars, Costa Rica, Chile, Panama and Uruguay.

In hindsight, Panama has generally similar yet lower prices than Costa Rica. We estimate it is about 10-20% less expensive, on average. So, Panama wins this one, despite not being a cheap destination.

FAQ on Mexico vs Costa Rica

Mexico is generally cheaper than Costa Rica in terms of travel costs, accommodation, and food. Although some places in Mexico are getting more expensive (Cancun and Tulum), generally speaking, it is much easier to travel Mexico on a budget.