Cost of living
Alajuela compared to San Jose
🏛️
Overview comparison
AlajuelaSan Jose
Consumer prices in Alajuela are roughly 18% higher than in San Jose.
Cost of living
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 1,577 | 1,049 |
|---|
| Total with rent family | 3,539 | 2,702 |
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| Without rent one person | 585 | 602 |
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| Without rent one family | 2,150 | 2,116 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 1,100.95 | 642.2 |
|---|
| Rent & Utilities family | 1,384.47 | 921.94 |
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| Food person | 566 | 549 |
|---|
| Food family | 1,269 | 1,253 |
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| Transport person | 52.72 | 69.08 |
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| Transport family | 142.02 | 237.86 |
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| Life expectancy | 74.85 years | 69.07 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 12.27 | 10.14 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 58.19 | 50.33 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 8.18 | 10.51 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 3.44 | 3.23 |
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| Cappuccino | 4.19 | 4.26 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 2.22 | 1.6 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 1,765.13 | 631.62 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 719.49 | 469.79 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 3,189.43 | 1,423.67 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 838.41 | 845.34 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 56.76 | 47.89 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 85.65 | 73.73 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 49.84 | 48.87 |
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Transportation
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 7.15 | 11.53 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 4,288 | 1,660 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 2,520 | 1,324 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.12 | 0.96 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 51.29% | 35.1% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 17.63 | 16.87 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.38 | 1.29 |
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Groceries
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 2.25 | 2.17 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 2.29 | 2.51 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 3.63 | 3.1 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.17 | 9.73 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 9.36 | 8.7 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 12.89 | 13.08 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.55 | 1.38 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.42 | 1.53 |
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Other
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 77.13 | 55.29 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 7.11 | 8.78 |
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| Doctors visit | 60.98 | 63.36 |
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| Haircut, simple | 14.74 | 13.87 |
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| Brand Jeans | 72.9 | 70.91 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 103.9 | 112.69 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 542.71 | 603.44 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 8,812 | 12,190 |
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