47th of 192 countries in the Sovereo Index, and 4th of 23 in North America.
Pillar scores
North America average. Scores run from 0 to 100. How the Index is built.
Who Costa Rica suits
Costa Rica scores 70.8 out of 100 and ranks 47th of 192 countries in the Sovereo Index. Its strongest pillar is Health and Longevity (88.0), well above the North America average of 70.3. Legacy and Sovereignty (79.3) and Income (76.7) also beat the regional average. Its weakest pillar is Lifestyle and Belonging (50.2), though even that sits above the regional average.
For a US retiree, the case is a low visa bar and strong health outcomes. The pensioner route asks for a lifetime pension of $1,000 a month, which the average Social Security check clears about twice over. The trade-off is cost: San Jose runs higher than many Latin American capitals, and residents should confirm CCSS health contributions before budgeting.
Retirement visa: does the average Social Security check qualify?
Temporary residence, pensioner (Pensionado). A lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month (Ley 8764, Article 81). Savings do not count.
The average US Social Security retired-worker benefit ($2,085.98, July 2026) covers it 2.09 times. A fixed dollar amount with no indexation, so it gets easier to meet over time.
Source: Ley General de Migracion y Extranjeria 8764 (OAS copy). Confirm the current minimum with the consulate before you act.
Cost of living
One person in the San Jose area needs roughly $1,050 to $1,600 a month for rent, food and transport; a couple about $1,500 to $2,200, before health coverage (October 2026 estimate). Full answer with sources.
Nearby alternatives
| Country | Score | Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 70.8 | 47th | North America |
| Panama | 69.0 | 55th | North America |
| Uruguay | 67.2 | 61st | South America |
| Colombia | 62.2 | 85th | South America |
| Ecuador | 60.0 | 100th | South America |
| Mexico | 59.2 | 107th | North America |
| Belize | 57.1 | 121st | North America |
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How does Costa Rica score in the Sovereo Index?
Costa Rica scores 70.8 out of 100, 47th of 192 countries. Its highest pillar is Health & Longevity and its lowest is Lifestyle & Belonging.
Can the average Social Security check qualify for Costa Rica's retirement visa?
Temporary residence, pensioner (Pensionado): A lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month (Ley 8764, Article 81). Savings do not count. The average US Social Security retired-worker benefit ($2,085.98, July 2026) covers it 2.09 times. A fixed dollar amount with no indexation, so it gets easier to meet over time.
How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica?
One person in the San Jose area needs roughly $1,050 to $1,600 a month for rent, food and transport; a couple about $1,500 to $2,200, before health coverage (October 2026 estimate).
Cite this page
Educational research, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice. Index scores are built from public datasets; see the methodology for sources and dates.