Cost of living
Alajuela compared to San Jose (Costa Rica)
🏛️
Overview comparison
AlajuelaSan Jose (Costa Rica)
Consumer prices in Alajuela are roughly 48% higher than in San Jose (Costa Rica).
Cost of living
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose (Costa Rica) |
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| Total with rent one person | 1,577 | 726 |
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| Total with rent family | 3,539 | 1,514 |
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| Without rent one person | 585 | 306 |
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| Without rent one family | 2,150 | 1,333 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 1,100.95 | 307.94 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 1,384.47 | 484.24 |
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| Food person | 566 | 272 |
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| Food family | 1,269 | 819 |
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| Transport person | 52.72 | 22.67 |
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| Transport family | 142.02 | 46.48 |
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| Life expectancy | 74.85 years | 76.58 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose (Costa Rica) |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 12.27 | 10.98 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 58.19 | 28.83 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 8.18 | 7.4 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 3.44 | 1.1 |
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| Cappuccino | 4.19 | 1.82 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 2.22 | 0.67 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose (Costa Rica) |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 1,765.13 | 320.52 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 719.49 | 214.58 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 3,189.43 | 779.25 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 838.41 | 394.19 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 56.76 | 71.72 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 85.65 | 89.82 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 49.84 | 15.6 |
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Transportation
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose (Costa Rica) |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 7.15 | 17.48 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 4,288 | 607 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 2,520 | 424 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.12 | 0.27 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 51.29% | 29.46% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 17.63 | 3.25 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.38 | 1.07 |
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Groceries
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose (Costa Rica) |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 2.25 | 1.27 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 2.29 | 0.54 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 3.63 | 1.98 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.17 | 6.59 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 9.36 | 5.79 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 12.89 | 8.61 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.55 | 1.41 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.42 | 0.35 |
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Other
| Item | Alajuela | San Jose (Costa Rica) |
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| Gym Membership, 1 month | 77.13 | 23.84 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 7.11 | 2.88 |
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| Doctors visit | 60.98 | 20.2 |
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| Haircut, simple | 14.74 | 1.75 |
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| Brand Jeans | 72.9 | 48.69 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 103.9 | 51.84 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 542.71 | 149.36 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 8,812 | 9,840 |
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