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Side-by-side analysis of your shortlisted locations using live aggregated data from the World Bank and Open-Meteo.
Visualizing 2 destinations across all core metrics. How we score →
Each line is a country. Crossing lines reveal trade-offs between dimensions.
Compare 5-year wealth accumulation across all countries vs. staying home (US)
Compare salary, tax burden, and 5-year savings trajectory across countries
🇨🇷 Costa Rica offers the highest 5-year savings potential of $119,412 as a software engineer — factoring in salary, taxes, and cost of living.
How far does your budget stretch in each country?
🇨🇷 Costa Rica gives you $2,650/mo surplus at 8.57x purchasing power — enough for luxury living living.
| Category | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $375-75% | $525-65% |
| Groceries | $210-65% | $300-50% |
| Dining Out | $80-80% | $120-70% |
| Transport | $30-85% | $50-75% |
| Utilities | $36-80% | $54-70% |
| Internet | $18-74% | $28-60% |
| Healthcare | $38-85% | $50-80% |
| Monthly Total | $787 | $1,127 |
Estimates based on single person, moderate lifestyle. Actual costs vary by city and personal spending.
| Category | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Rent — Studio (City Centre) | $350 | $500 |
| Rent — 1 Bedroom (City Centre) | $450 | $650 |
| Rent — 3 Bedroom (City Centre) | $900 | $1,300 |
| Groceries (Monthly) | $180 | $280 |
| Public Transport Pass | $25 | $40 |
| Utilities (Elec, Water, Internet) | $80 | $100 |
| Mid-Range Meal for 2 | $15 | $25 |
| Cappuccino | $1.80 | $2.80 |
| Gym Membership (Monthly) | $20 | $35 |
| Mobile Data Plan (Monthly) | $12 | $15 |
| Total Monthly Budget | $900/mo-72% vs US | $1,300/mo-59% vs US |
Estimates based on a single person, comfortable lifestyle in city centres. Actual costs vary by neighbourhood and personal spending. Data reflects 2024 averages.
Progressive tax calculations across 2 countries
Tax calculations use simplified progressive bracket models for informational purposes only. Actual obligations depend on residency status, tax treaties, deductions, and individual circumstances. US citizens owe US taxes worldwide but can use FEIE ($126K exclusion) and Foreign Tax Credits. Consult a qualified international tax advisor before making relocation decisions.
Visa pathways, document requirements & eligibility
| Category | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Work | 1 option | — |
| Digital Nomad | 1 option | 1 option |
| Retirement | 1 option | 2 options |
| Investment | 1 option | 1 option |
| Student | 1 option | 1 option |
| Total Available | 5 visas | 5 visas |
Visa requirements, processing times, and costs are approximate and subject to change without notice. Immigration laws vary by nationality, personal circumstances, and geopolitical conditions. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney or the relevant consulate before making visa or relocation decisions.
| Requirement | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Apostille Convention | |
| Translation Language | Spanish |
| Biometrics Required | |
| Interview Required | |
| Health Insurance Required | |
| Police Check Required | |
| Financial Proof | Bank statements, pension letter, or investment documentation |
Document requirements, processing times, fees, and success rates are approximate and subject to change. Requirements vary by nationality, personal circumstances, and consulate. Apostille and translation requirements may differ based on bilateral agreements. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney or the relevant embassy before preparing your visa application.
Healthcare, safety, education, lifestyle & work culture
| Metric | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Universal Mixed | Universal Public |
| UHC Index | 78/100 | 80/100 |
| Expat Access | Full | Full |
| GP Visit | $0-10 (EPS insured) | $0 (CAJA insured) |
| ER Visit | $0-20 (EPS insured) | $0 (CAJA insured) |
| Insurance Cost | $40-120/mo | $60-150/mo |
| Wait Times | Moderate | Long |
| Emergency Quality | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Pharmacy Access | Good | Good |
| Mental Health | Limited | Limited |
Healthcare data is based on WHO UHC indexes, local government sources, and expatriate surveys. Costs are approximate and vary by location, provider, and insurance plan.
| Metric | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| GPI Rank | #130 | #39 |
| GPI Score | 2.491 | 1.568 |
| Homicide Rate | 23.7/100k | 11.2/100k |
| Scam Prevalence | High | Moderate |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate | Moderate |
| Women Safety | ||
| Night Safety | ||
| Political Stability | Moderate | Very Stable |
| Terrorism Risk | Moderate | Very Low |
Safety data is based on the Global Peace Index 2024, UNODC homicide statistics, and various travel safety assessments. Conditions can change rapidly due to political events, natural disasters, or other factors. This information is for general guidance only. Always consult your government's travel advisories before making relocation decisions.
| Metric | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| PISA Score (avg) | 412 | 426 |
| System Type | Hybrid | Public |
| Int'l Schools | Moderate | Moderate |
| Unis in Top 100 | 0 in global top 100 | 0 in global top 100 |
| Tuition (Local) | $500-3,000/yr (public) | $0-1,000/yr (public) |
| Tuition (Int'l) | $3,000-12,000/yr | $3,000-12,000/yr |
| Language | Spanish (English in international schools) | Spanish (English programs in private sector) |
| Literacy Rate | 95.6% | 97.9% |
PISA scores from OECD 2022. University rankings from QS/THE. Tuition and literacy data are approximate. Consult official sources for current figures.
Lifestyle scores are curated estimates based on travel indices, expat surveys, and cultural research. Individual experiences may vary.
Climate, digital nomad readiness & infrastructure
| Country | Avg Temp | Hottest | Coldest | Annual Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | 28°C | 49°C | -1°C | 2,520mm |
| 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 25°C | 27°C | 23°C | 2,660mm |
Monthly temperatures are modeled from annual averages. For precise data, consult local meteorological services.
| Metric | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 60 Mbps | 55 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 25 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Mobile Speed | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| 5G Coverage | Limited | None |
| Broadband Access | 55%pop. | 60%pop. |
| Coworking Spaces | Good | Moderate |
| Power Reliability | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Digital Gov't | Good | Good |
| Internet Cost | $15-30/mo | $30-50/mo |
| Major ISPs | ClaroMovistarTigo+1 more | Kolbi ICELibertyTigo+1 more |
Speed data based on Speedtest Global Index and Ookla reports. Broadband penetration from ITU/World Bank. Costs are approximate monthly residential rates and vary by plan and provider.
| Country | Max Stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | 24 months | $200/year |
| 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 12 months | $300/year |
| Metric | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Budget | $800-1,500 | $1,200-2,200 |
| Coworking Cost | $80-150/mo | $120-220/mo |
| Coworking Density | Good | Moderate |
| Internet Speed | 55 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Community | Large | Growing |
| Timezone | UTC-5 (US-friendly) | UTC-6 (US-friendly) |
Nomad scores are curated estimates based on visa policies, cost of living indices, internet speed benchmarks, and community reports. Individual experiences may vary.
How confident should you be in this ranking? What could change it?
Moderate confidence: The countries are competitive — Colombia and Costa Rica are close in several dimensions. Adjusting your priorities could flip the ranking.
These dimensions are closely contested between the compared countries. Changing your priority weights in these areas could flip the ranking:
🇨🇴 Colombia leads slightly, but 🇨🇷 Costa Rica is a strong contender. Consider visiting both before deciding — the on-the-ground experience may be the tiebreaker.
Costa Rica leads across most dimensions with an average score of 54/100.
Based on the data, Costa Rica (54/100 avg) is the strongest overall choice, especially for those seeking balanced quality of life. However, Colombia (47/100) is a strong contender with better affordability.
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