Costa Rica
Mexico
Costa Rica vs Mexico
Complete comparison for your tax relocation
Taxation
| Top income tax bracket | 25% | 35% |
| Corporate tax | 30% | 30% |
| Capital gains | 15% | 10% |
| VAT | 13% | 16% |
| Tax treaty with France | No | Yes |
| Special regime | Taxation territoriale | None |
| Wealth tax | No | No |
| Territorial taxation | Yes | No |
Taxation territoriale
Duration: Permanente (systeme territorial par défaut)
Le Costa Rica applique une imposition strictement territoriale. Seuls les revenus de source costaricaine sont imposés. Les revenus de source étrangere (freelance, dividendes, loyers étrangers) ne sont pas taxés. Le taux maximum d'IR est de 25 %, nettement inférieur aux standards européens.
Cost of living
| Monthly cost (single) | 1 000 € | 700 € |
| Monthly cost (couple) | 1 600 € | 1 100 € |
| City center rent | 700 € | 550 € |
| Outside city rent | 450 € | 350 € |
| Private health insurance | 55 € | 60 € |
| Public healthcare | Accessible | Accessible |
Estimated total monthly budget (single, with city center rent)
Mexico is approximately 450 € cheaper per month in total.
Quality of life
| Average temperature | 25°C | 22°C |
| Safety | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Health index | 67/100 | 72/100 |
| Internet | 40 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Timezone vs Paris | -7h | -7h |
| French-speaking community | Very small | Very small |
| Languages | Espagnol | Espagnol |
| Currency | Colon (CRC) | Peso mexicain (MXN) |
| Corruption index | 55/100 | 31/100 |
| Democracy index | 7.88/10 | 5.63/10 |
Settling in
| Residence permit delay | 3 months | 3 months |
| Company creation | 23 days | 8 days |
| Bank account | Moderate | Moderate |
| Political stability | 6.5/10 | 4/10 |
| Ease of business | 74th worldwide | 60th worldwide |
Summary
Costa Rica
- Top IT: 25% | Corp. tax: 30%
- Cost of living: 1 000 €/mo
- Safety: 7/10 | Health: 67/100
- Regime: Taxation territoriale (Permanente (systeme territorial par défaut))
Mexico
- Top IT: 35% | Corp. tax: 30%
- Cost of living: 700 €/mo
- Safety: 5/10 | Health: 72/100
Comparative analysis: Costa Rica vs Mexico
Which country has lower taxes?
In terms of taxation, Costa Rica is generally more advantageous. The top marginal income tax rate is 25% compared to 35% in Mexique. Corporate tax stands at 30% versus 30%. Capital gains are taxed at 10% in Mexico versus 15% in Costa Rica.
Which country is cheaper to live in?
The cost of living is lower in Mexique. A single person spends about 700 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 1 000 EUR/month in Costa Rica. City center rent averages 550 EUR versus 700 EUR.
Which country is safer?
Costa Rica scores higher on safety (7/10 versus 5/10). In terms of healthcare, Mexique leads with an index of 72/100 compared to 67/100 for Costa Rica.
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Disclaimer
The tax information presented is based on estimates from public sources (PwC, OECD, government sources). It does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules change regularly and your personal situation may significantly affect the calculation. Consult a qualified professional before making any relocation decision.