Cost of living
Alajuela compared to Puntarenas
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Overview comparison
AlajuelaPuntarenas
Consumer prices in Alajuela are roughly 8% higher than in Puntarenas.
Cost of living
| Item | Alajuela | Puntarenas |
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| Total with rent one person | 1,577 | 1,483 |
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| Total with rent family | 3,539 | 3,133 |
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| Without rent one person | 585 | 779 |
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| Without rent one family | 2,150 | 2,263 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 1,100.95 | 941.59 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 1,384.47 | 1,201.78 |
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| Food person | 566 | 460 |
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| Food family | 1,269 | 1,205 |
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| Transport person | 52.72 | 48.97 |
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| Transport family | 142.02 | 112.03 |
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| Life expectancy | 74.85 years | 77.37 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Alajuela | Puntarenas |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 12.27 | 10.21 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 58.19 | 66.23 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 8.18 | 7.98 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 3.44 | 2.47 |
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| Cappuccino | 4.19 | 3.77 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 2.22 | 1.68 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Alajuela | Puntarenas |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 1,765.13 | 1,795.38 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 719.49 | 795.48 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 3,189.43 | 2,650.98 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 838.41 | 943.32 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 56.76 | 51.71 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 85.65 | 61.7 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 49.84 | 58.34 |
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Transportation
| Item | Alajuela | Puntarenas |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 7.15 | 10.33 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 4,288 | 3,819 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 2,520 | 2,689 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.12 | 1.12 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 51.29% | 46.1% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 17.63 | 16.5 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.38 | 1.64 |
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Groceries
| Item | Alajuela | Puntarenas |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 2.25 | 1.54 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 2.29 | 2.21 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 3.63 | 3.05 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.17 | 9.67 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 9.36 | 8.49 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 12.89 | 14.69 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.55 | 1.61 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.42 | 1.9 |
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Other
| Item | Alajuela | Puntarenas |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 77.13 | 89.84 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 7.11 | 7.39 |
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| Doctors visit | 60.98 | 54.18 |
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| Haircut, simple | 14.74 | 14.44 |
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| Brand Jeans | 72.9 | 85.38 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 103.9 | 92.26 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 542.71 | 500.78 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 8,812 | 7,208 |
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