Costa Rica vs South Korea — 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 South Korea sits at 64.0 with rent near $920/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Costa Rica | South Korea | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 8.50% | 4.50% | South Korea |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 4.50% | 3.40% | Costa Rica |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 36.0% | 14.0% | South Korea |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$720/mo | US$920/mo | Costa Rica |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$2,200/m² | US$11,500/m² | Costa Rica |
Summary
Costa Rica has a higher mortgage rate than South Korea at 8.50% vs 4.50%. Rental costs in Costa Rica average $720/month compared to $920 in South Korea, while the cost of living index sits at 64.0 versus 64.0. Overall, the two countries trade strengths across financial and lifestyle metrics.
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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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