Bahamas vs Costa Rica
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Costa Rica is approximately 50% less expensive than Bahamas based on cost of living including rent. This makes Costa Rica a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Costa Rica has a FIRE Score of 56/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement.
The country's safety index is 45.8, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Costa Rica is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.
Side by side
Best in rowNassau
Bahamas
San José
Costa Rica
Country-level averages. N/A or Not enough data means no figure is published for that country. * Women's inclusion scores are unverified.
About these countries
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica works for retirees who want a rubber-stamp visa, not bargain hunters chasing rock-bottom prices. A one-bedroom near the city center runs $903/mo, pushing this above typical Latin America budget destinations. The Pensionado visa only requires $1,000/mo in retirement income, but progressive income tax up to 25% and a clear path to permanent residency mean this is a lifestyle purchase, not a tax play.
Costa Rica costs roughly 50% less than Bahamas. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Costa Rica is approximately 50% less expensive than Bahamas based on cost of living including rent. This makes Costa Rica a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Costa Rica has a FIRE Score of 56/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement.
The country's safety index is 45.8, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Costa Rica is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.
About Bahamas
Best for retirees via the Permanent Residence pathway, anchored by no language requirement and direct flights. Living costs are high—$1,752 monthly plus $1,196 rent—but its Safety Index of 42.6 and medium expat safety rating are solid for the region. Main trade-off: no minimum income requirement and no personal income tax could complicate budgeting.
$-69/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica works for retirees who want a rubber-stamp visa, not bargain hunters chasing rock-bottom prices. A one-bedroom near the city center runs $903/mo, pushing this above typical Latin America budget destinations. The Pensionado visa only requires $1,000/mo in retirement income, but progressive income tax up to 25% and a clear path to permanent residency mean this is a lifestyle purchase, not a tax play.
$1,153/mo
Not sure which Costa Rica visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Bahamas | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 133.7 +6.7 | 127 |
| Healthcare Index | 58.3 | 64.8 +6.5 |
| Safety Index | 42.6 | 45.8 +3.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85.6 | 57 +28.6 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,752 | $944 +808 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $6,387.6 | $3,504.1 +2,883.5 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,317.5 | $903.45 +414.05 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,195.56 | $642.83 +552.73 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3,995.71 | $1,721.95 +2,273.76 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3,735 | $1,157.73 +2,577.27 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 93.25 Mbps | 184.72 Mbps +91.5 |
| Ballpark effective tax rate ($80,000) | None +15.0pt | 15.0% |
| Top income tax rate | None +25.0pt | 25.0% |
| Capital gains tax rate | None +15.0pt | 15.0% |
| Dividend tax rate | None +15.0pt | 15.0% |
Rights & Inclusion
Published indices. Legal protection and public attitudes are kept separate, and neither is folded into a single score.
Same-sex relations
Not criminalized
Bahamas
Same-sex relations
Not criminalized
Costa Rica
LGBTQ+ legal protection score
Attitudes
Women's inclusion
Scores run from 0 to 100. Women's inclusion scores come from the Georgetown WPS Index and are currently unverified. Sources: Equaldex, ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Spartacus Gay Travel Index and Georgetown's Women, Peace and Security Index. See the full inclusion ranking.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Bahamas and Costa Rica, side by side.
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