Portugal vs Costa Rica
Portugal costs roughly 22% less than Costa Rica. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Portugal is approximately 22% less expensive than Costa Rica based on cost of living including rent. This makes Portugal a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Portugal has a FIRE Score of 59/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 67.9, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Portugal is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Portugal
A one-bedroom in central Lisbon runs about $1,040/month, roughly a third of comparable Boston or DC rents. Combined with $776 in monthly living costs, a couple can live well under $2,500/month total, and the D7 visa only requires 920 EUR income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48%, so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
$1,185/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
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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 35% and no path to permanent residency mean this is a lifestyle purchase, not a tax play.
$1,153/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Portugal | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1 — Normal Precautions | Level 2 — Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 167.8 +38.4 | 129.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 72.2 +7.9 | 64.3 |
| Safety Index | 67.9 +22.0 | 45.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 41.2 +8.9 | 50.1 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $775.7 +168.3 | $944 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,805.2 +698.9 | $3,504.1 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,039.76 | $903.45 +136.31 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $823.97 | $642.83 +181.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,755 | $1,721.95 +33.05 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,328.84 | $1,157.73 +171.11 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 351.94 Mbps +139.7 | 212.24 Mbps |
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