Costa Rica: cost of living

Is the cost of living rising in Costa Rica?

Consumer prices in Costa Rica were 0.3% lower in July 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica's Monthly Economic Report for August 2026, based on INEC data. Goods prices were 1.3% lower, while services prices were 0.9% higher. Housing rent made the largest positive contribution among services, followed by bus fares, international air fares and university education; electricity pulled the services figure down.

Falling average prices do not mean every household pays less: rent and transport, which rose, take a large share of many budgets. INEC's updated CPI from July 2026 uses spending weights from the 2024 household income and expenditure survey.

Official sources: BCCR: Monthly Economic Report, August 2026 (PDF) · INEC: CPI update press release (PDF)

How much is petrol in Costa Rica?

Super petrol costs ¢764 a litre and regular (Plus 91) ¢719 a litre at Costa Rican service stations, according to RECOPE's table of current prices. Diesel costs ¢785 a litre. The prices were published in La Gaceta No. 186 of 2 October 2026 and apply from 3 October 2026.

Fuel prices are set by the regulator ARESEP, based on international prices, the exchange rate and set margins. Each pump price includes the single fuel tax, ¢272 a litre for super, ¢259.75 for regular and ¢154 for diesel, and an average service station margin of about ¢71 a litre. Prices are reviewed regularly, so check the current table.

Official sources: RECOPE's table of current prices

What is the poverty rate in Costa Rica?

17.1% of Costa Rica's population lived below the national poverty line in 2025, down from 20.3% in 2024 and 24.4% in 2023, according to the World Bank's national poverty series, based on INEC's national household survey (ENAHO). The Gini index of income inequality was 45.5 in 2025, compared with 45.8 in 2024.

The national poverty line is the cost of a basic basket of food and other goods per person, set by INEC. INEC's own headline figures count households rather than people, so they are lower than the share of the population. The survey is carried out each July and results are released later in the year.

Official sources: World Bank's national poverty series

How fast are prices rising in Costa Rica?

-0.1%: that is consumer price inflation in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 13.8% in 2005 and the low -0.4% in 2024. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.1%, and Costa Rica placed 28th highest of 29. Worldwide: 154th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Costa Rica?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Costa Rica at $9,721 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $4,566, and Costa Rica placed 1st highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 38th of 124.

How many people in Costa Rica live on under $3 a day?

In 2025, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Costa Rica was 0.8%, according to the World Bank. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005.

What share of Costa Rica lives below the poverty line?

In 2025, the share of people below the national poverty line in Costa Rica was 17.1%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 30.0% in 2020 and the low 16.7% in 2007. It is 7th highest of 8 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 23.5%.

How unequal are incomes in Costa Rica?

45.5: that is the Gini index in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the lowest since at least 2005.

How many people in Costa Rica face food insecurity?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Costa Rica at 13.9% in 2024. Since 2015 it has ranged from 12.2% (2015) to 16.2% (2021). Latin America & Caribbean median: 28.0%; Costa Rica is 19th highest of 21. Worldwide: 82nd of 135.