Compare countries · Colombia vs Costa Rica
Colombia vs Costa Rica
Colombia(South America)·
Costa Rica(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Colombia leads on 4, Costa Rica on 8. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Colombia
31.7
Better than 75% of countries
Costa Rica
52.9
Worse than 73% of countries
Colombia: 40% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Colombia
10.9
Better than 71% of countries
Costa Rica
20.3
Worse than 69% of countries
Colombia: 46% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Colombia
2.76
Worse than 90% of countries
Costa Rica
1.76
Better than 76% of countries
Costa Rica: more peaceful (1.76 vs 2.76).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Colombia
0.758
Around the global middle
Costa Rica
0.806
Better than 67% of countries
Costa Rica: higher human development (0.806 vs 0.758).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Colombia
$22,640
Around the global middle
Costa Rica
$33,815
Better than 64% of countries
Costa Rica: 49% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Colombia
77.9 yrs
Better than 68% of countries
Costa Rica
81.0 yrs
Better than 80% of countries
Costa Rica: 3.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Colombia
68.9
Better than 66% of countries
Costa Rica
64.8
Around the global middle
Colombia: better-rated healthcare (68.9 vs 64.8).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Colombia
210 Mbps
Better than 81% of countries
Costa Rica
165 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
Colombia: 27% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Colombia
52/100
Worse than 57% of countries
Costa Rica
72/100
Better than 78% of countries
Costa Rica: freer press (72 vs 52 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Colombia
6.04
Around the global middle
Costa Rica
7.44
Better than 97% of countries
Costa Rica: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.44 vs 6.04).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Colombia
480
Worse than 66% of countries
Costa Rica
516
Around the global middle
Costa Rica: stronger English proficiency (516 vs 480).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Colombia
82.3
Around the global middle
Costa Rica
93.1
Better than 85% of countries
Costa Rica: more pleasant climate rating (93.1 vs 82.3).
Not comparable for this pair
- Perceived street safety: Numbeo doesn't publish a safety index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Colombia and Costa Rica for real?
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Find your match →Full Colombia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Costa Rica profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.