United States vs Costa Rica
Costa Rica costs roughly 100% 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 100% 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 45.9, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Costa Rica is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.
About United States
Not ideal for FIRE-chasers or digital nomads due to the lack of a dedicated retirement or digital nomad visa. Its strongest advantage is a high English proficiency and large expat community, with internet speeds over 300 Mbps. The key trade-off is complex pathways to citizenship and a high cost of living, with rent in city centers averaging $1,669/month.
$155/mo
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About Costa Rica
Best for retirees on a fixed income, as the Pensionado visa requires only $1,000/month and cost of living stretches that far. Cost of living is 50% lower than New York City (index 50.1), with a one-bedroom outside the center averaging $643/month. The trade-off: Spanish is essential outside expat hubs, and moderate crime (index 54.1) demands caution.
$1,153/mo
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Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | United States | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2 — Increased Caution | Level 2 — Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 188.8 +59.4 | 129.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 67.8 +3.5 | 64.3 |
| Safety Index | 50.8 +4.9 | 45.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 50.1 +49.9 |
| 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 | 390.28 Mbps +178.0 | 212.24 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Costa Rica. File confidently from abroad.
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