Costa Rica
Central America · North America
Population
5.13M
GDP (Nominal)
$96.73B
Capital City
San José
Currency
CRC (Costa Rican Colón)
Avg Salary
$850/mo
Region
Central America
Livability Index 2026
53.6/100
Cost of Living
12/100
Avg Salary
45.8/100
Safety
64.8/100
Healthcare
60/100
Education
72/100
Overall Livability
Institutional Summary
Costa Rica is a stable, peaceful Central American nation famous for its 'Pura Vida' lifestyle and incredible biodiversity. It is a massive hub for expats and digital nomads drawn by its territorial tax system, world-class nature, and excellent healthcare, despite a relatively high cost of living for the region.
Cost of Living
Monthly Rent (1BR)$550
Monthly Groceries$300
Monthly Transport$50
Utilities & Internet$120
Estimated Total Monthly
$1,020 /person
AI Algorithm Summary
Major Strengths
- • Accessible immigration and visa pathways
Algorithmic Red Flags
- • Significant safety and crime concerns (Score: 45.8)
Economic Performance
📈 Stable GrowthGDP Per Capita
$18,855
Inflation Rate
-0.4%
Unemployment
6.9%
5-Year GDP Trend
Migration & Visa
Digital Nomad Visa (1 year, renewable)
Pensionado (Retiree with $1,000/mo income)
Rentista (Requires $2,500/mo guaranteed income)
Visa Difficulty
3/10
PR Eligibility
Eligible for permanent residency after holding temporary residency for 3 years
Employment Landscape
Avg Monthly Salary
$850
Trending
Top Performing Industries
Ecotourism
Technology and Electronics Exports
Agriculture (Coffee, Bananas, Pineapples)
Social Indicators
Life Expectancy
80.8 Yrs
Literacy Rate
98%
Top Universities (QS Rank)
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)#463
Compare Costa Rica
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