Can I Afford Costa Rica?

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to most US cities. A comfortable lifestyle in popular expat destinations costs between $2,200-$4,000 per month, including rent, food, healthcare, and entertainment. That's 40-60% less than cities like San Francisco, New York, or Los Angeles.

Where Your Money Goes Further

• Rent: A 2-bedroom furnished apartment costs $1,200-2,500/month vs $2,500-4,000+ in major US cities
• Healthcare: Private insurance runs $100-300/month with excellent care quality
• Food: Fresh produce, local restaurants, and groceries cost 40-50% less
• No state income tax: Costa Rica doesn't tax foreign-earned income

Income Requirements for Costa Rica

For the Digital Nomad Visa, you'll need to prove $3,000/month in income or $60,000 in savings. However, many people live comfortably on less through tourist visa renewals. The key is having remote income from outside Costa Rica. Local employment requires different residency status.

Most Affordable Beach Towns

Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast offers the lowest cost of living at around $2,250/month. La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano is also affordable at $2,380/month with incredible nature access. For beach towns on the Pacific, Uvita and the Southern Zone offer the best value while still maintaining good infrastructure.