Costa Rica · Cost of living · 2026
Cost of living in Costa Rica
What a month actually costs in San José and the Central Valley — rent, food, transport, utilities and health cover. Rents and expat services are commonly quoted in US dollars; every figure below names its source so you can check it yourself rather than trust a crowd-sourced average.
Run your own numbers →🇨🇷 San José, Costa Rica — monthly costs
Figures quoted in US dollars. Each line shows where the number came from and when it was last reviewed.
| Item | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (Escazú / Santa Ana)Encuentra24 Costa Rica published asking rents, Central Valley 2026 (no official bedroom-level rental statistic exists); furnished Escazú/Santa Ana apartments · reviewed Aug 2026 | $700–$1,200 |
| 2-bed apartment (Central Valley)Encuentra24 Costa Rica published asking rents, Central Valley 2026; beach towns such as Tamarindo run materially higher · reviewed Aug 2026 | $1,000–$1,800 |
| Groceries (couple, 1 month)Relokato editorial estimate anchored to INEC Costa Rica consumer price statistics; range reflects mixed feria (farmers' market) and supermarket shopping for two, imported goods push the top end · reviewed Aug 2026 | $400–$700 |
| Dining out (2x/week, couple)Relokato editorial estimate — casado at a soda $5–8, casual restaurant $12–20/person; range reflects ~6–8 outings/month for two · reviewed Aug 2026 | $110–$260 |
| Bus + Uber (per adult / mo)Relokato editorial estimate anchored to ARESEP-regulated bus fares (public buses are inexpensive); most Central Valley expats also budget ride-share or a car · reviewed Aug 2026 | $40–$120 |
| Utilities + internet (essential)Relokato editorial estimate anchored to ARESEP-approved ICE/AyA tariffs plus published fibre packages ($30–50/mo). Central Valley rarely needs A/C; coastal homes run materially higher · reviewed Aug 2026 | $90–$200 |
| CAJA contribution + private cover (adult)CCSS — CAJA enrolment is compulsory for residents and is charged as a percentage of declared income, so the figure varies by applicant. Range also reflects published INS and private supplemental plans used to bridge the pre-approval gap · reviewed Aug 2026 | $80–$220 |
The total adds the one-bedroom rent, groceries, dining out, utilities, two transit passes and two private health policies. It excludes one-off move costs, tuition, car ownership and income tax. Rent is the single biggest variable — a longer lease outside the centre typically lands well below the figure above.
Budgeting for the visa, not just the rent
Monthly cost is one number; residency has its own.
Costa Rica's residency routes set their own income tests rather than tracking what living there costs. The rentista route asks for a fixed monthly amount evidenced over a set period, the pensionado route for a qualifying lifetime pension, and residents are generally required to enrol in the public health system once approved. The visa checker walks through which route matches your situation and what evidence each one asks for.
Relokato is a planning tool, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Prices, tariffs and official thresholds change — always verify against the source linked beside each figure before you commit money or file anything.