Moving to Costa Rica
The numbers that decide whether Costa Rica works, and the pages that go through each of them in detail.
- $2,086 is worth
- $3,275
- Healthcare / year
- $465
- Residency asks for
- $1,000 a month
1.57x
out of pocket, per person
Guides for Costa Rica
Costa Rica: common questions
How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica?
Measured against published price levels, $2,086 a month — the average US retired-worker benefit — has the purchasing power of about $3,275 in Costa Rica, a multiplier of 1.57. That is a comparison of price levels, not a budget: rent in a capital city will run well above the national average.
What does Costa Rica require for residency?
Costa Rica asks you to show $1,000 a month. The figure is pegged to a national index and is revised, so check the current requirement before you file.
What does healthcare cost in Costa Rica?
Out-of-pocket health spending in Costa Rica runs about $465 per person per year. Medicare does not travel, so an American pays privately or buys in locally.
Can I collect US Social Security while living in Costa Rica?
Yes. The Social Security Administration pays US citizens in almost every country; the exceptions are Cuba and North Korea, with several former Soviet states restricted. Costa Rica is not among them.