Compare countries · Costa Rica vs Dominican Republic
Costa Rica vs Dominican Republic
Costa Rica(North America)·
Dominican Republic(North America)
Across 11 comparable indicators: Costa Rica leads on 9, Dominican Republic on 2. 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)
Costa Rica
52.9
Worse than 73% of countries
Dominican Republic
38.2
Better than 60% of countries
Dominican Republic: 28% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Costa Rica
20.3
Worse than 69% of countries
Dominican Republic
14.0
Around the global middle
Dominican Republic: 31% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Costa Rica
1.76
Better than 76% of countries
Dominican Republic
2.01
Around the global middle
Costa Rica: more peaceful (1.76 vs 2.01).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Costa Rica
0.806
Better than 67% of countries
Dominican Republic
0.766
Better than 58% of countries
Costa Rica: higher human development (0.806 vs 0.766).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Costa Rica
$33,815
Better than 64% of countries
Dominican Republic
$28,721
Better than 61% of countries
Costa Rica: 18% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Costa Rica
81.0 yrs
Better than 80% of countries
Dominican Republic
73.9 yrs
Around the global middle
Costa Rica: 7.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Costa Rica
64.8
Around the global middle
Dominican Republic
58.4
Worse than 66% of countries
Costa Rica: better-rated healthcare (64.8 vs 58.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Costa Rica
165 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
Dominican Republic
73 Mbps
Worse than 62% of countries
Costa Rica: 127% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Costa Rica
72/100
Better than 78% of countries
Dominican Republic
70/100
Better than 75% of countries
Costa Rica: freer press (72 vs 70 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Costa Rica
7.44
Better than 97% of countries
Dominican Republic
6.09
Better than 56% of countries
Costa Rica: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.44 vs 6.09).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Costa Rica
516
Around the global middle
Dominican Republic
503
Around the global middle
Costa Rica: stronger English proficiency (516 vs 503).
Not comparable for this pair
- Perceived street safety: Numbeo doesn't publish a safety index for one of these countries.
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Costa Rica and Dominican Republic for real?
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Find your match →Full Costa Rica profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Dominican Republic profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.