Compare countries · Costa Rica vs Mexico
Costa Rica vs Mexico
Costa Rica(North America)·
Mexico(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Costa Rica leads on 9, Mexico on 3. 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
Mexico
42.6
Around the global middle
Mexico: 19% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Costa Rica
20.3
Worse than 69% of countries
Mexico
17.8
Worse than 64% of countries
Mexico: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Costa Rica
1.76
Better than 76% of countries
Mexico
2.61
Worse than 85% of countries
Costa Rica: more peaceful (1.76 vs 2.61).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Costa Rica
0.806
Better than 67% of countries
Mexico
0.781
Better than 60% of countries
Costa Rica: higher human development (0.806 vs 0.781).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Costa Rica
$33,815
Better than 64% of countries
Mexico
$25,868
Better than 57% of countries
Costa Rica: 31% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Costa Rica
81.0 yrs
Better than 80% of countries
Mexico
75.3 yrs
Better than 55% of countries
Costa Rica: 5.7 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Costa Rica
64.8
Around the global middle
Mexico
72.3
Better than 78% of countries
Mexico: better-rated healthcare (72.3 vs 64.8).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Costa Rica
165 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
Mexico
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Costa Rica: 76% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Costa Rica
72/100
Better than 78% of countries
Mexico
45/100
Worse than 68% of countries
Costa Rica: freer press (72 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Costa Rica
7.44
Better than 97% of countries
Mexico
6.97
Better than 92% of countries
Costa Rica: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.44 vs 6.97).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Costa Rica
516
Around the global middle
Mexico
440
Worse than 85% of countries
Costa Rica: stronger English proficiency (516 vs 440).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Costa Rica
93.1
Better than 85% of countries
Mexico
86.6
Better than 65% of countries
Costa Rica: more pleasant climate rating (93.1 vs 86.6).
Not comparable for this pair
- Perceived street safety: Numbeo doesn't publish a safety index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Costa Rica and Mexico for real?
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Find your match →Full Costa Rica profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Mexico profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.