Costa Rica vs Philippines — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Costa Rica has a cost of living index of 64.0 with average 1BR rent around $720/mo, while Philippines sits at 36.0 with rent near $410/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Costa Rica | Philippines | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 8.50% | 7.50% | Philippines |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 4.50% | 3.50% | Costa Rica |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 36.0% | 28.0% | Philippines |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$720/mo | US$410/mo | Philippines |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$2,200/m² | US$3,200/m² | Costa Rica |
Summary
Costa Rica has a higher mortgage rate than Philippines at 8.50% vs 7.50%. Rental costs in Costa Rica average $720/month compared to $410 in Philippines, while the cost of living index sits at 64.0 versus 36.0. Overall, Philippines looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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