Compare countries · Costa Rica vs Portugal
Costa Rica vs Portugal
Costa Rica(North America)·
Portugal(Europe)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Costa Rica leads on 2, Portugal on 9, 1 effectively tied. 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
Portugal
48.8
Worse than 65% of countries
Portugal: 8% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Costa Rica
20.3
Worse than 69% of countries
Portugal
25.2
Worse than 83% of countries
Costa Rica: 19% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Costa Rica
1.76
Better than 76% of countries
Portugal
1.34
Better than 95% of countries
Portugal: more peaceful (1.34 vs 1.76).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Costa Rica
0.806
Better than 67% of countries
Portugal
0.874
Better than 79% of countries
Portugal: higher human development (0.874 vs 0.806).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Costa Rica
$33,815
Better than 64% of countries
Portugal
$53,146
Better than 78% of countries
Portugal: 57% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Costa Rica
81.0 yrs
Better than 80% of countries
Portugal
82.4 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Costa Rica
64.8
Around the global middle
Portugal
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
Portugal: better-rated healthcare (72.0 vs 64.8).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Costa Rica
165 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
Portugal
242 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
Portugal: 47% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Costa Rica
72/100
Better than 78% of countries
Portugal
84/100
Better than 94% of countries
Portugal: freer press (84 vs 72 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Costa Rica
7.44
Better than 97% of countries
Portugal
6.03
Around the global middle
Costa Rica: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.44 vs 6.03).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Costa Rica
516
Around the global middle
Portugal
612
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal: stronger English proficiency (612 vs 516).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Costa Rica
93.1
Better than 85% of countries
Portugal
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Portugal: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 93.1).
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 Portugal for real?
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Find your match →Full Costa Rica profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Portugal profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.