Mexico vs Costa Rica
Mexico costs roughly 45% less than Costa Rica, though Costa Rica has significantly faster internet infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Mexico is approximately 45% less expensive than Costa Rica based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mexico a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mexico has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 46.6, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Mexico is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Mexico
Safety-sensitive retirees should pause: a 46.6 safety index and a significant safety index gap may signal real risk. But budget-conscious Americans willing to navigate that tradeoff get low rent (a one-bedroom city-center apartment averages $659.65\/mo), a large expat network, and an easy $3,738/mo income visa path to permanent residency.
$1,638/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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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Mexico | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 126.3 | 129.4 +3.1 |
| Healthcare Index | 72.5 +8.2 | 64.3 |
| Safety Index | 46.6 +0.7 | 45.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 34.5 +15.6 | 50.1 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $701.9 +242.1 | $944 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,604.9 +899.2 | $3,504.1 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $659.65 +243.8 | $903.45 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $430.55 +212.28 | $642.83 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,227.82 +494.13 | $1,721.95 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $816.48 +341.25 | $1,157.73 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 174.1 Mbps | 212.24 Mbps +38.1 |
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Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Costa Rica. File confidently from abroad.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Mexico and Costa Rica, side by side.
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