Compare countries · Costa Rica vs United States
Costa Rica vs United States
Costa Rica(North America)·
United States(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Costa Rica leads on 7, United States on 5. 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
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
Costa Rica: 23% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Costa Rica
20.3
Worse than 69% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
Costa Rica: 50% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Costa Rica
1.76
Better than 76% of countries
United States
2.39
Worse than 79% of countries
Costa Rica: more peaceful (1.76 vs 2.39).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Costa Rica
0.806
Better than 67% of countries
United States
0.927
Better than 90% of countries
United States: higher human development (0.927 vs 0.806).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Costa Rica
$33,815
Better than 64% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
United States: 166% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Costa Rica
81.0 yrs
Better than 80% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Costa Rica: 2.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Costa Rica
64.8
Around the global middle
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
United States: better-rated healthcare (67.0 vs 64.8).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Costa Rica
165 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
United States: 86% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Costa Rica
72/100
Better than 78% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
Costa Rica: freer press (72 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Costa Rica
7.44
Better than 97% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Costa Rica: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.44 vs 6.82).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Costa Rica
516
Around the global middle
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 516).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Costa Rica
93.1
Better than 85% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
Costa Rica: more pleasant climate rating (93.1 vs 75.8).
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 United States for real?
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Find your match →Full Costa Rica profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United States profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.