Cuánto cuesta vs. Cuánto vale

Question

They both mean "How much (is it)" or "How much does it cost", right?

If so, are there any contexts where one is better or one is more awkward?

If I see something in a store that I like, and I want to know how much it costs, I can say either one, correct? Or no?

Or is "Cuánto vale" used to ask how much something costs without intentions to buy it? Like, for example, I see a friend´s new electronic toy and I say "How much was it?" and I used valer instead of costar.

Great question as i have come across different 'Caunto ' saying .Aslo would any help me with Cuanto de debo ?? ( what is the debt... ) i think ? is this more of a latin American usage ? and would it sound odd using it in Madrid ? - mrbluesky, Dec 14, 2016

Answer 1

I'm not a native speaker but I own a couple of convenience stores in Cancun. I've heard a lot of customers ask how much things cost:

¿Cuanto va a ser? How much is it going to be?

¿Que precio tiene? What's price does it have?

¿Cuanto seria? How much will it be?

¿cuanto es? ¿Que vale? ¿Cuanto vale? etc.

Just like in English there are a lot of ways to ask the price of something. You may have the intention of buying something and still use: ¿Cuanto vale? or you may not have the intention of purchasing it.

Answer 2

¿Cuánto vale? also means 'how much does it worth?' ¿Cuánto vale esta propiedad?

I know it means that too, but I am asking which is asked in what context. - missy8888, Mar 26, 2012