I have lived in the San Jose Metro area for just over two years. During that time, I have rented two bedroom units in Los Yoses San Pedro, Santa Ana and Cariari. The unit in Los Yoses San Pedro was $500 per month. It was nice but basic. No hot water other than a suicide shower and that didn't work for my dish washing habits.
The unit in Avalon, el centro Santa Ana was $1000 a month which included water and basic cable/internet. The Avalon provided basic cable and internet as part of their monthly association fee that the landlord paid. I was later told the other units were $900. In addition I paid electricity.
Here in Cariari, I pay water, cable/internet, electricity on top of the rent. So actual is really closer to what I paid in Avalon. This Cariari unit, however, is MUCH bigger than my Avalon unit.
I have read that other expats pay much less in rent here in San Jose, although I am not sure where they live. For sure there are less expensive neighborhoods and houses, but where ever one chooses to live make sure there is an association that provides 24/7 security. Without that you are likely to get visitors when you are not home. ( or worse, when you are sleeping! )
I am reaching the point w/ the traffic here in metro San Jose of looking at smaller towns 30-60 minutes outside San Jose. But again, security is a must and I have no idea what is offered in smaller communities.
Electricity averages about $70-100 per month depending on use. Cariari does not have AC, although Santa Ana did. I rarely used AC in Santa Ana but still electricity was comparable. The overall cost of electricity seems to be more expensive than in the US.
Gasoline is more expensive. my car uses about 40-45 liters per refill or about 10-12 gallons. With the current reduced rate, that runs about $40 dollars per tank. That is close to double the price of a gallon in New Mexico in 2016.
My cell phone is with Kolbi. I use a prepaid account, but on average use about $20 per month. It would be more but most of my communications are via whatsapp or magic jack for US calls and similar apps that use wifi to communicate. Now that I am a resident I can get a post paid account but the cost is about equal to the US as near as I can tell or $40+ a month for full service.
Doctor visits are about the same price except that a specialists will charge you $100 for a visit but not charge more if he spends more time than a normal limited visit. An orthopedic here saw me for a medial meniscus tear and gave me a shot in his office, all for $100!!! good deal. I had my gallbladder taken out in 2016. I went to Clinica Biblica and a surgeon who offices at Metropolitan Hospital in San Jose. The surgery required an over night stay because of some infection around the organ. So the cost was a little more than projected. The surgeon fee was $1800. The hospital operating room and overnight was $4,600. That was cash because I have no insurance.
Based on my experience with the crap insurance system that has monopolized the USA for decades, what I paid is about what my deductible and co-pay would have been considering the excess charges by US medical providers and the little actually paid by the insurance companies. The care was top notch and equal to what I experienced in other surgeries in the US.
BTW, I recently traveled to Ecuador in January 2017. The cost is a little less than here in CR. Most food was significantly less but rents etc, seemed close to what expats pay here.
French bread, when on sale at many small bakeries and mens haircuts are cheap here.
Work in Costa Rica
The health care system in Costa Rica
Key facts for international students in Costa Rica
Setting up a business in Costa Rica
Motorcycle Angel
Buying a property in Costa Rica
Retiring in Costa Rica
How To Become A Resident In Costa Rica
