Cost of Living in Costa Rica (2026 Guide for Expats)

What Does It Cost to Live in Costa Rica in 2026?

Most expat couples live comfortably in Costa Rica on $2,500 to $3,500 per month — often 25 to 50 percent less than a comparable lifestyle in the United States or Canada. A private doctor visit runs $60 versus $300 in the US. A full lunch at a local Soda restaurant costs under $10. Healthcare insurance for a couple can be 80 percent cheaper than equivalent US premiums.

But Costa Rica is not the ultra-cheap destination it once was. Beach towns like Tamarindo and Playas del Coco can feel surprisingly expensive — especially for imported groceries, dining out, and housing. Your costs depend heavily on where you live, how you shop, and whether you embrace local life or recreate a North American lifestyle in the tropics.

This guide gives you real, honest numbers across every major expense category — so you can build a budget that actually reflects what life in Costa Rica costs in 2026.

Ready to go deeper?

• Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

• Residency & Visas

• Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica

• Moving to Costa Rica

• Travel to Costa Rica