Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Costa Rica Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Costa Rica Property Pack
Costa Rica house prices vary dramatically depending on whether you are looking in the Central Valley around San Jose or in coastal lifestyle markets like Guanacaste and the Pacific coast.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data from authoritative sources to give you the most accurate picture of what houses actually cost in Costa Rica in 2026.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Costa Rica.
How much do houses cost in Costa Rica as of 2026?
What's the median and average house price in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the median house price in Costa Rica sits around $650,000 (roughly 325 million colones or 600,000 euros), while the average house price runs closer to $900,000 (450 million colones or 830,000 euros) because expensive coastal properties pull the average up significantly.
The typical price range that covers roughly 80% of house sales in Costa Rica in 2026 runs from about $120,000 to $1,500,000 (60 million to 750 million colones, or 110,000 to 1,380,000 euros), though most activity happens in the $250,000 to $800,000 band.
The gap between median and average house prices in Costa Rica reveals a market driven heavily by high-end foreign demand, where a handful of luxury coastal homes worth $2 million or more push the average far above what a typical buyer actually pays.
At the median price of around $650,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, you can realistically expect a 3-bedroom house with modern finishes in a gated community in the Central Valley suburbs like Escazu or Santa Ana, or a smaller 2-bedroom home with ocean proximity in popular beach towns like Tamarindo.
What's the cheapest livable house budget in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the minimum budget for a livable house in Costa Rica is around $120,000 (60 million colones or 110,000 euros), though you should expect significant compromises at this price point.
At this entry-level price in Costa Rica, "livable" typically means an older house with basic finishes, legal utility connections, and safe enough condition to occupy immediately, but you will likely face incremental repairs, smaller square footage, and simpler construction standards.
The cheapest livable houses in Costa Rica in 2026 are usually found in non-tourist areas of the Greater Metropolitan Area such as Alajuelita, Desamparados, Hatillo, parts of Pavas, and outer areas of Cartago or San Ramon where land values stay lower and foreign buyer competition is minimal.
Wondering what you can get? We cover all the buying opportunities at different budget levels in Costa Rica here.
How much do 2 and 3-bedroom houses cost in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical 2-bedroom houses in Costa Rica range from $180,000 to $500,000 (90 to 250 million colones, or 165,000 to 460,000 euros), while 3-bedroom houses generally run from $250,000 to $700,000 (125 to 350 million colones, or 230,000 to 645,000 euros), depending heavily on location.
For a 2-bedroom house in Costa Rica in 2026, you can realistically expect to pay between $180,000 and $350,000 (90 to 175 million colones, or 165,000 to 320,000 euros) in the Central Valley, or $350,000 to $700,000 (175 to 350 million colones, or 320,000 to 645,000 euros) in expat beach markets like Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio.
For a 3-bedroom house in Costa Rica in 2026, the realistic price range sits between $250,000 and $450,000 (125 to 225 million colones, or 230,000 to 415,000 euros) in the Central Valley, climbing to $450,000 to $1,000,000 (225 to 500 million colones, or 415,000 to 920,000 euros) in prime coastal locations.
The typical price premium when moving from a 2-bedroom to a 3-bedroom house in Costa Rica is around 25% to 40%, reflecting additional square footage and the fact that 3-bedroom homes often come in more established, family-oriented neighborhoods with better amenities.
How much do 4-bedroom houses cost in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a typical 4-bedroom house in Costa Rica costs between $450,000 and $900,000 (225 to 450 million colones, or 415,000 to 830,000 euros) in the Central Valley, and between $800,000 and $2,000,000 (400 million to 1 billion colones, or 735,000 to 1,840,000 euros) in coastal expat zones.
For a 5-bedroom house in Costa Rica in 2026, the realistic price range runs from $700,000 to $1,500,000 (350 to 750 million colones, or 645,000 to 1,380,000 euros) in the Central Valley and from $1,200,000 to $2,500,000 (600 million to 1.25 billion colones, or 1,100,000 to 2,300,000 euros) in premium beach areas like Nosara or Santa Teresa.
For a 6-bedroom house in Costa Rica in 2026, you are looking at $900,000 to $2,000,000 (450 million to 1 billion colones, or 830,000 to 1,840,000 euros) in the Central Valley, and $1,500,000 to $3,500,000 (750 million to 1.75 billion colones, or 1,380,000 to 3,220,000 euros) in prime coastal markets where such large homes often qualify as luxury villas.
Please note that we give much more detailed data in our pack about the property market in Costa Rica.
How much do new-build houses cost in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a new-build house in Costa Rica typically costs between $350,000 and $950,000 (175 to 475 million colones, or 320,000 to 875,000 euros) in the Central Valley, and between $800,000 and $2,500,000 (400 million to 1.25 billion colones, or 735,000 to 2,300,000 euros) in prime coastal areas.
New-build houses in Costa Rica in 2026 typically carry a premium of about 15% to 25% compared to older resale houses, with the premium reaching 25% to 30% in coastal markets like Guanacaste and Puntarenas where buyers pay extra for modern seismic standards, energy-efficient systems, better finishes, and gated community amenities.
How much do houses with land cost in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a house with significant land in Costa Rica typically costs between $250,000 and $3,500,000 (125 million to 1.75 billion colones, or 230,000 to 3,220,000 euros), depending heavily on lot size, location, and whether you are in the Central Valley or near the coast.
In Costa Rica in 2026, a "house with land" typically means a property with at least 500 to 1,000 square meters of lot space, as anything smaller is considered a standard suburban lot, and larger parcels of 2,000 square meters or more push you into estate territory with significantly higher prices.
We cover everything there is to know about land prices in Costa Rica here.
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Where are houses cheapest and most expensive in Costa Rica as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the lowest house prices in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods with the lowest house prices in Costa Rica for foreign buyers include Alajuelita, Desamparados, Hatillo, parts of Pavas, San Sebastian, and outer areas of Cartago, San Ramon, and Palmares in the Greater Metropolitan Area.
In these cheapest neighborhoods in Costa Rica in 2026, typical house prices range from $120,000 to $300,000 (60 to 150 million colones, or 110,000 to 275,000 euros), with occasional listings below $100,000 that usually require significant renovation work.
These neighborhoods have the lowest house prices in Costa Rica mainly because they sit outside the expat-favored western corridor, lack the prestige of gated communities, and often have older housing stock combined with less convenient access to international schools and corporate employment centers that drive premium pricing elsewhere.
Which neighborhoods have the highest house prices in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the highest house prices in Costa Rica are San Rafael de Escazu and Trejos Montealegre in the Central Valley, and Tamarindo/Playa Langosta and Nosara/Playa Guiones in Guanacaste, along with Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula.
In these most expensive neighborhoods in Costa Rica in 2026, typical house prices range from $700,000 to $3,500,000 (350 million to 1.75 billion colones, or 645,000 to 3,220,000 euros), with luxury villas and oceanfront estates frequently exceeding $5 million.
These neighborhoods command the highest house prices in Costa Rica because they combine proximity to top international schools like Lincoln School and Country Day School with established expat communities, security, ocean views, world-class surf breaks, and the kind of turnkey lifestyle amenities that North American and European buyers specifically seek out.
The typical buyer purchasing houses in these premium Costa Rica neighborhoods is either a high-net-worth expat family relocating for lifestyle reasons, a retiree from North America or Europe seeking a primary residence, or an investor looking for strong vacation rental income in proven tourism destinations.
How much do houses cost near the city center in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a house near the San Jose city center in areas like Rohrmoser, La Sabana, Barrio Escalante, Los Yoses, or Barrio Dent typically costs between $350,000 and $900,000 (175 to 450 million colones, or 320,000 to 830,000 euros), though inventory is limited since central San Jose is increasingly dominated by condos.
Houses near major transit hubs in Costa Rica in 2026, such as those along the GAM commuter rail corridor or major bus routes, typically cost 5% to 12% more than comparable houses deeper in residential neighborhoods, reflecting the premium buyers pay for commute convenience and predictable travel times to work.
Houses near top-rated international schools in Costa Rica like Lincoln School in Santa Ana, Country Day School in Escazu, and Blue Valley School in Escazu typically cost between $500,000 and $1,500,000 (250 to 750 million colones, or 460,000 to 1,380,000 euros), as these schools drive intense demand from relocating expat families.
Houses in expat-popular areas of Costa Rica in 2026 including Escazu, Santa Ana, Atenas, Grecia in the Central Valley, and Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio on the coasts typically cost between $450,000 and $1,800,000 (225 to 900 million colones, or 415,000 to 1,660,000 euros).
We actually have an updated expat guide for Costa Rica here.
How much do houses cost in the suburbs in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a house in the suburbs of Costa Rica's Greater Metropolitan Area typically costs between $220,000 and $650,000 (110 to 325 million colones, or 200,000 to 600,000 euros), offering more space and value than central neighborhoods while still providing reasonable access to urban amenities.
The typical price difference between suburban houses and city-center houses in Costa Rica in 2026 is around 20% to 35% less for suburbs, though this gap narrows significantly if the suburban area is close to the Escazu/Santa Ana premium corridor or sits within a well-regarded gated community.
The most popular suburbs for house buyers in Costa Rica in 2026 include Curridabat, Tres Rios, Heredia towns like San Pablo and Santo Domingo, La Guacima in Alajuela, and Ciudad Colon, all offering a balance of affordability, family-friendly environments, and reasonable commute times to major employment centers.
What areas in Costa Rica are improving and still affordable as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the top areas in Costa Rica that are improving and still affordable for house buyers include San Sebastian and select parts of Hatillo in San Jose, the Cartago outskirts, outer Alajuela and Grecia, and the Parrita/Playa Bejuco corridor on the Pacific coast which offers beach access at lower prices than the hottest towns.
Current typical house prices in these improving yet affordable areas of Costa Rica in 2026 range from $150,000 to $400,000 (75 to 200 million colones, or 140,000 to 370,000 euros), sitting well below the median for more established expat destinations while offering newer infrastructure and growing services.
The main sign of improvement driving buyer interest in these areas is expanding road infrastructure combined with growing commercial services, new medical facilities, and the spillover effect from nearby premium markets where buyers priced out of Escazu or Nosara are now looking one town over for better value.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Costa Rica.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Costa Rica versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What extra costs should I budget for a house in Costa Rica right now?
What are typical buyer closing costs for houses in Costa Rica right now?
Typical total closing costs for house buyers in Costa Rica in 2026 range from 3.5% to 5.5% of the purchase price for standard titled property transactions, though costs can reach 6% to 7% for more complex deals involving coastal properties, corporations, or seller financing.
The main closing cost categories in Costa Rica include the transfer tax at 1.5% of the property value, notary and attorney fees at 1% to 1.5%, National Registry stamps and documentary fees at 0.5% to 1%, and escrow services at around 0.5%, plus various administrative costs for certificates and wire transfers.
The single largest closing cost category for house buyers in Costa Rica is the transfer tax (Impuesto de Traspaso) at 1.5% of the registered property value, which is a mandatory government tax paid to the National Registry at the time of transfer and cannot be negotiated or avoided.
We cover all these costs and what are the strategies to minimize them in our property pack about Costa Rica.
How much are property taxes on houses in Costa Rica right now?
The typical annual property tax on a house in Costa Rica in 2026 is 0.25% of the registered municipal value, which for a property valued at $400,000 means about $1,000 per year (500,000 colones or 920 euros), though homes exceeding approximately $280,000 in construction value may also owe the luxury home tax.
Property tax in Costa Rica is calculated based on the property's registered value at the municipality (not necessarily market value), paid quarterly to the local government, and property owners must submit a value declaration every five years to update the assessment and avoid penalties or registration delays when selling.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a page with all the property taxes and fees in Costa Rica.
How much is home insurance for a house in Costa Rica right now?
Typical annual home insurance for a house in Costa Rica in 2026 ranges from $400 to $1,200 (200,000 to 600,000 colones, or 370 to 1,100 euros) for most standard houses, climbing to $1,200 to $3,000 or more per year for high-value homes, coastal properties, or those in flood or landslide risk zones.
The main factors that affect home insurance premiums for houses in Costa Rica include the insured construction value (not land value), total square meters, property contents coverage, geographic location and associated natural hazard risks, and whether the home sits in a high-crime area or a gated community with security.
What are typical utility costs for a house in Costa Rica right now?
Typical total monthly utility costs for a house in Costa Rica in 2026 range from $150 to $400 (75,000 to 200,000 colones, or 140 to 370 euros), with significant variation depending on air conditioning usage, pool equipment, household size, and whether you are in the cooler Central Valley or hot coastal regions.
The breakdown of main utility categories for houses in Costa Rica in 2026 includes electricity at $60 to $180 per month (higher with A/C or pool pumps), water at $10 to $35 per month, internet at $40 to $90 per month depending on speed and provider, and municipal trash collection which is typically a modest fee bundled with property taxes.
What are common hidden costs when buying a house in Costa Rica right now?
The estimated total of common hidden costs that house buyers in Costa Rica often overlook runs between $2,000 and $8,000 (1 to 4 million colones, or 1,850 to 7,400 euros) beyond standard closing costs, covering inspections, surveys, corporation setup or maintenance, and immediate property needs.
Typical inspection fees buyers should expect when purchasing a house in Costa Rica in 2026 run from $400 to $900 (200,000 to 450,000 colones, or 370 to 830 euros) for a standard home inspection, with additional costs if you need specialized assessments for roof condition, septic systems, structural engineering, or drainage.
Other common hidden costs beyond inspections when buying a house in Costa Rica include HOA or condominium fees ranging from $150 to $600 per month, property survey or topography studies for unclear boundaries, water storage and pump installation outside urban zones, holding corporation annual compliance and accounting fees, and tropical maintenance reserves for paint, pest control, and humidity damage.
The hidden cost that tends to surprise first-time house buyers most in Costa Rica is the ongoing expense of owning property through a corporation, which requires annual corporate tax payments, registered agent fees, and accountant services that can add $500 to $1,500 per year on top of normal ownership costs.
You will find here the list of classic mistakes people make when buying a property in Costa Rica.
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What do locals and expats say about the market in Costa Rica as of 2026?
Do people think houses are overpriced in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the general sentiment among both locals and expats is that houses in prime Costa Rica areas feel expensive relative to what you get, though buyers increasingly recognize that rising inventory and longer selling times are finally giving them more negotiating power than in the post-pandemic frenzy years.
Houses in Costa Rica in 2026 typically stay on the market for 300 to 400 days before selling, with the Central Valley averaging around 343 days, Guanacaste/Nicoya around 355 days, and the Central and South Pacific stretching to 406 days on average according to recent brokerage data.
The main reason expats give for feeling house prices are high in Costa Rica is that coastal homes in particular carry a "lifestyle premium" where you pay not just for the house but for ocean views, surf access, and the expat community infrastructure, while locals point to the disconnect between prices and typical Costa Rican salaries.
Current sentiment on house prices in Costa Rica compared to one or two years ago has shifted from "I must buy now before prices rise more" to "I have time to find the right deal," reflecting the market's transition from a seller's market in 2021-2022 to a more balanced environment where listings sit longer and price reductions are common.
You'll find our latest property market analysis about Costa Rica here.
Are prices still rising or cooling in Costa Rica as of 2026?
As of early 2026, house prices in Costa Rica are cooling in momentum rather than collapsing in value, with headline median prices showing resilience in key regions but rising inventory and longer days on market creating a classic buyer's market where negotiation is expected.
The estimated year-over-year house price change in Costa Rica varies by region, with San Jose showing gains around 6% for houses while some coastal luxury segments like parts of Guanacaste have seen price corrections of up to 36% from their pandemic-era peaks, resulting in a mixed national picture.
Experts and local agents expect house prices in Costa Rica over the next 6 to 12 months to remain relatively stable with modest growth of 3% to 8% in areas with strong fundamentals, while overpriced properties will continue to see reductions, making 2026 an advantageous entry point for buyers who prioritize value and negotiate effectively.
Finally, please note that we have covered property price trends and forecasts for Costa Rica here.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Costa Rica. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Costa Rica, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Coldwell Banker Costa Rica | Major brokerage publishing transparent, numbers-heavy market snapshots. | We used it as our main Costa Rica house market benchmark for median prices and days on market by region. We translated those regional medians into realistic price ranges for different house sizes. |
| Global Property Guide | Recognized international property research publisher with clear methodology. | We used it to cross-check price direction and market trends. We treated it as a triangulation layer to validate our estimates against external research. |
| Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) | Official government source for tax thresholds and brackets. | We used it to price the luxury home tax risk for higher-end houses. We also used its threshold to explain when buyers should expect an extra annual bill. |
| Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica | Official professional fee schedule for legal and notarial services. | We used it to support why legal and notary fees cluster in a predictable band. We then built realistic buyer budget ranges based on actual transaction pricing. |
| ARESEP | National utilities regulator providing official water tariffs. | We used it to ground the utilities section in official regulation. We then translated tariff concepts into simple monthly budgets for typical houses. |
| CNFL | Major electricity distributor citing official 2026 tariff publications. | We used it to anchor electricity costs with real 2026 tariff data. We then converted typical consumption into monthly ranges homeowners actually experience. |
| INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) | Costa Rica's national insurer and primary home insurance reference. | We used it to verify homeowners can insure structure and contents. We then gave realistic annual premium ranges for typical insured values. |
| Camara Costarricense de la Construccion | National construction chamber publishing sector cost indices. | We used it to support the idea that build costs affect new-build pricing. We then estimated a reasonable new-build premium versus older houses. |
| Tico Times | Leading English-language Costa Rica news source covering real estate. | We used it to validate market sentiment and regional trends. We cross-referenced their reporting with brokerage data for accuracy. |
| 2Costa Rica Real Estate | Active brokerage publishing detailed market reports and transaction insights. | We used their market analysis to validate price trends and buyer sentiment. We also referenced their closing cost breakdowns for accuracy. |
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