Lowest Poverty in Costa Rica

Top 79 cities ranked by lowest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Costa Rica

Lowest Poverty — Costa Rica

1 Heredia 04 1.3%

2 Chacarita 07 1.3%

3 San Juan 08 1.3%

4 Mercedes Norte 04 1.3%

5 Guadalupe 08 1.3%

6 Aserrí 08 1.3%

7 San Rafael 08 1.3%

8 San Felipe 08 1.3%

9 Patarrá 08 1.3%

10 Tejar 08 1.3%

11 Cartago 02 1.3%

12 San Pablo 04 1.3%

13 Calle Blancos 08 1.3%

14 Cañas 03 1.3%

15 Guápiles 06 1.3%

16 Siquirres 06 1.3%

17 San Diego 02 1.3%

18 Colima 08 1.3%

19 Esparza 07 1.3%

20 San Juan de Dios 08 1.3%

21 San Vicente 08 1.3%

22 San José 08 1.3%

23 Limón 06 1.3%

24 San Francisco 04 1.3%

25 Alajuela 01 1.3%

26 Liberia 03 1.3%

27 Paraíso 02 1.3%

28 Puntarenas 07 1.3%

29 San Isidro 08 1.3%

30 Curridabat 08 1.3%

31 Nicoya 03 1.3%

32 San Vicente de Moravia 08 1.3%

33 San José 01 1.3%

34 Purral 08 1.3%

35 Turrialba 02 1.3%

36 San Miguel 08 1.3%

37 San Pedro 08 1.3%

38 San Rafael Abajo 08 1.3%

39 Quesada 01 1.3%

40 Ipís 08 1.3%

41 Atenas 01 1.3%

42 San Rafael 04 1.3%

43 Sarchí 01 1.3%

44 Santiago 08 1.3%

45 Santa Ana 08 1.3%

46 Quepos 07 1.3%

47 San Juan 01 1.3%

48 Tilarán 03 1.3%

49 Corredor 07 1.3%

50 Guácimo 06 1.3%

51 Colón 08 1.3%

52 Cot 02 1.3%

53 Golfito 07 1.3%

54 Llorente 04 1.3%

55 Miramar 07 1.3%

56 Tamarindo 03 1.3%

57 Orotina 01 1.3%

58 Santo Domingo 04 1.3%

59 Salitrillos 08 1.3%

60 Mercedes 08 1.3%

61 Escazú 08 1.3%

62 San Rafael Arriba 08 1.3%

63 Desamparados 01 1.3%

64 Concepción 02 1.3%

65 Alajuelita 08 1.3%

66 Sabanilla 08 1.3%

67 Sabalito 07 1.3%

68 Granadilla 08 1.3%

69 Santa Cruz 03 1.3%

70 San Josecito 04 1.3%

71 Pocora 06 1.3%

72 Naranjo 01 1.3%

73 Buenos Aires 07 1.3%

74 Cariari 06 1.3%

75 San Antonio 04 1.3%

76 San Ramón 01 1.3%

77 Tres Ríos 02 1.3%

78 Daniel Flores 08 1.3%

79 Río Segundo 01 1.3%

Cities with the lowest poverty rates in Costa Rica demonstrate strong economic conditions where most residents have adequate financial resources. Heredia has a poverty rate of just 1.3%.

Low poverty rates typically reflect a combination of strong job markets, educated populations, and higher wage levels. These communities often feature well-funded public services, good school systems, and active civic engagement.

While low poverty rates are encouraging, some of these cities maintain their statistics partly through high costs of living that effectively price out lower-income residents, raising questions about housing equity and economic diversity.

Did You Know?

1. Only 1.3% of residents in Heredia live below the poverty line.
2. The federal poverty line for a family of four is approximately $31,200 per year (2024).
3. Cities with the lowest poverty rates tend to also rank high in education, income, and safety metrics.

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Costa Rica — By Region

Alajuela Province Cartago Province Guanacaste Province Heredia Province Limón Province Puntarenas Province San José

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