Cost of Living in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa has a cost of living index of 82/100 (New York = 100). It is 18% cheaper than New York. Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

82/100
Cost Index
$1,250/mo
Median Income
62/100
Safety Index
tropical
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

HousingScore: 75/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$950/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$700/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,100/month
Food & GroceriesScore: 62/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.25/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$2.5/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$1.6/kg
Dining OutScore: 68/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$8/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$50/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$8/meal
TransportationScore: 55/100
Monthly Transit Pass$65/month
One-Way Ticket$2/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.8/km
UtilitiesScore: 50/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$140/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$50/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$35/month
HealthcareScore: 65/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$50/visit
Dentist Visit$75/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$12/course
EntertainmentScore: 60/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$10/ticket
Theater Ticket$35/ticket
Museum Entry$12/ticket
FitnessScore: 55/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$55/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$22/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$9/entry
Personal CareScore: 55/100
Haircut (Men)$18/cut
Haircut (Women)$35/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$5.5/bottle
ClothingScore: 60/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$60/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$38/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$85/pair

Digital Nomad Profile

34 Mbps
Internet Speed
$250
Coworking/Month
fair
Café WiFi
moderate
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
45/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, Mal Pais

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santa Teresa cheap to live in?

Santa Teresa has a cost of living index of 82/100, where New York = 100. It is 18% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,640–$2,296 per month.

How much does rent cost in Santa Teresa?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Santa Teresa costs approximately $950/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $700/month.

Is Santa Teresa good for digital nomads?

Santa Teresa has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 34 Mbps, café wifi reliability is fair, and coworking spaces run about $250/month. English proficiency is moderate.

What is the average salary in Santa Teresa?

The median net monthly salary in Santa Teresa is approximately $1,250 USD. The income tax rate is around 15%.

How does Santa Teresa compare to New York for cost of living?

Santa Teresa (cost index 82) is 18% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $450/month by moving from New York to Santa Teresa.

Compare Santa Teresa with another city

See exactly how Santa Teresa stacks up against your current city or next destination.

Compare Santa Teresa →Explore another city

Free to start · No credit card needed