Costa Rica vs Costa Rica · 101 km apart
Costa Rica
single / month
Cheaper overallCosta Rica
single / month
| Expense | Cartago | Puntarenas | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | $5.40 | $6.00 | Cartago |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range | $21.60 | $24.00 | Cartago |
| Cappuccino | $1.62 | $1.80 | Cartago |
| Monthly groceries (single person) | $122 | $136 | Cartago |
| Monthly public transport pass | $19.80 | $22.00 | Cartago |
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment | $52.20 | $58.00 | Cartago |
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited) | $15.12 | $16.80 | Cartago |
| Fitness club membership | $15.12 | $16.80 | Cartago |
| Cinema ticket | $3.96 | $4.40 | Cartago |
| One-bedroom apartment in city centre | $222 | $253 | Cartago |
| One-bedroom apartment outside centre | $154 | $176 | Cartago |
| Three-bedroom apartment in city centre | $463 | $528 | Cartago |
| Total single-person budget | $514 | $576 | Cartago |
| Average net salary | $810 | $900 |
Cartago is cheaper overall. A single-person monthly budget in Cartago runs about $514 versus $576 in Puntarenas — a difference of roughly 12%.
Salary-adjusted, Puntarenas leaves more disposable income after basic expenses. Both figures are model estimates — see each city page for local-currency detail.
Full cost of living in Cartago · Full cost of living in Puntarenas