United States vs Costa Rica
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Costa Rica is approximately 22% less expensive than United States 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.
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Best in rowWashington, D.C.
United States
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 22% less than United States, though United States has significantly faster internet infrastructure, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for United States expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Costa Rica is approximately 22% less expensive than United States 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.
United States
Washington, D.C.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no retiree or digital nomad visa available. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index is 100 (global baseline). Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to residency or citizenship limits long-term stays.
$155/mo
Not sure which United States visa you qualify for?
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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 | United States | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | N/A | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 184.7 +57.7 | 127 |
| Healthcare Index | 66.9 +2.1 | 64.8 |
| Safety Index | 50.8 +5.0 | 45.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 69.7 | 57 +12.7 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,176 | $944 +232 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $4,239 | $3,504.1 +734.9 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,668.61 | $903.45 +765.16 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,355.41 | $642.83 +712.58 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2,688.4 | $1,721.95 +966.45 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2,228.12 | $1,157.73 +1,070.39 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 314.35 Mbps +129.6 | 184.72 Mbps |
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
United States
Same-sex relations
Not criminalized
Costa Rica
LGBTQ+ legal protection score
Attitudes
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 United States and Costa Rica, side by side.
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