Costa Rica

Compared with Philippines, using real observed prices.

Baseline: Philippines = 1×

Costa Rica vs

Philippines

Overall verdict

Costa Rica is about 1.29× Philippines.

Average across 3 categories, 4 items with data

The shape of prices (vs Philippines = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is Philippines. A bar running right means Costa Rica is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

Philippines Philippines = 1×

Costa Rica is pricier →

🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×2.13
⛽ Transport 2 items

×1.23
⚡ Utilities 1 item

×0.81

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In Costa Rica, Big Mac costs 2.1× what it does in Philippines — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.8×. What is expensive here is labour, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Big Mac 1 burger ×2.13

Costa Rica ₱359.25 CRC 2,990

Philippines ₱169.00 PHP 169

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×1.26

Costa Rica ₱102.82 USD 1.668

Philippines ₱81.49 USD 1.322

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel 1L 1 L ×1.20

Costa Rica ₱92.90 USD 1.507

Philippines ₱77.73 USD 1.261

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.81

Costa Rica ₱10.23 USD 0.17

Philippines ₱12.58 USD 0.209

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com