Australia vs Costa Rica
Costa Rica costs roughly 22% less than Australia, though Australia scores higher on healthcare, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for Australia expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Costa Rica is approximately 22% less expensive than Australia 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 Australia
High earners chasing safety and healthcare quality will find the tradeoff here: a 73.4 healthcare index and top-tier political stability against a 45% income tax rate that eats deeply into any US-sourced income. A digital nomad visa is available and no PR pathway from retirement status. Budget-conscious types or anyone unwilling to pay steep taxes for stability should look elsewhere.
$407/mo
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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
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Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Australia | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 192.2 +62.8 | 129.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 73.4 +9.1 | 64.3 |
| Safety Index | 52.7 +6.8 | 45.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 60.9 | 50.1 +10.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,089.1 | $944 +145.1 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,921.4 | $3,504.1 +417.3 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,503.56 | $903.45 +600.11 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,199.88 | $642.83 +557.05 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2,524.5 | $1,721.95 +802.55 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,905.54 | $1,157.73 +747.81 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 164.09 Mbps | 212.24 Mbps +48.2 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Costa Rica. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Costa Rica. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Australia and Costa Rica, side by side.
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