Cost of living in Alajuela is 23% higher than in El Progreso (without rent).
Rent in Alajuela is 63% more expensive than in El Progreso.
Cost of living including rent in Alajuela is 40% higher than in El Progreso.
Food in Alajuela is 14% more expensive than in El Progreso.
Transport in Alajuela is 13% more expensive than in El Progreso.
| Alajuela | El Progreso | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living, including rent | ||
| Without Rent | ||
| Rent & Utilities | ||
| Food | ||
| Transport | ||
| Monthly Salary, after tax | ||
| Quality of Life | ||
| Population |
| Alajuela | El Progreso | |
|---|---|---|
Restaurants |
||
| Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant |
6.73 $ | 7.54 $ |
| Dinner, for 2 | 38.6 $ | 25.2 $ |
| Fast food, McDonalds or KFC | 9.08 $ | 7.95 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.39 $ | 1.51 $ |
| Capuccino | 3.01 $ | 1.49 $ |
| Coke, 330ml | 1.51 $ | 1 $ |
Markets |
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.83 $ | 1.32 $ |
| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb | 2.34 $ | 3.29 $ |
| Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.06 $ | 1.21 $ |
| Eggs, 12 pack | 2.18 $ | 2.25 $ |
| Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb | 8.44 $ | 4.43 $ |
| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb | 9.56 $ | 11 $ |
| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb | 13.8 $ | 18.8 $ |
| Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.82 $ | 2.88 $ |
| Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.37 $ | 1.39 $ |
| Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.47 $ | 4.4 $ |
| Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.8 $ | 2.22 $ |
| Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.52 $ | 3.34 $ |
| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.63 $ | 0.92 $ |
| Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz | 3.07 $ | 1.78 $ |
| Wine, 750 mL bottle | 17.2 $ | 11.2 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.06 $ | 1.18 $ |
| Cigarette pack | 4.81 $ | 2.76 $ |
Transport |
||
| Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket | 0.83 $ | 0.69 $ |
| Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket | 107 $ | 34.4 $ |
| Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.46 $ | 1.16 $ |
| Taxi, 8 km | 11.6 $ | 17.9 $ |
Personal Care |
||
| Doctor visit, private clinic | 66.5 $ | 36.2 $ |
| Cold medicine, for 1 week | 8.08 $ | 6.46 $ |
| Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz | 7.04 $ | 7.38 $ |
| Toilet paper, 4 rolls | 2.8 $ | 3.28 $ |
| Toothpaste, 1 tube | 3.86 $ | 2.45 $ |
Utilities per Month |
||
| Utility bill - 1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
35.8 $ | 80.9 $ |
| Utility bill - family, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
54.8 $ | 124 $ |
| Internet plan, +60 Mbps |
31.7 $ | 58.6 $ |
Rent per Month |
||
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m | 516 $ | 208 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m | 1,058 $ | 418 $ |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m | 602 $ | 309 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m | 961 $ | 536 $ |
Buy Apartment Price |
||
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center | 1,927 $ | 548 $ |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs | 1,442 $ | 548 $ |
Salaries and Financing |
||
| Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax | 1,155 $ | 564 $ |
| Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate | 11.3 % | 10.91 % |
Sports and Leisure |
||
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 62.1 $ | 37.3 $ |
| Cinema, 1 seat | 8.64 $ | 4.9 $ |
| Haircut | 12.7 $ | 4.61 $ |
Clothing and Shoes |
||
| Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar | 115 $ | 72.5 $ |
| Brand Jeans, Levis 501 | 72.5 $ | 49.5 $ |
Childcare |
||
| Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child | 290 $ | 122 $ |
| International Primary School, yearly for 1 child | 5,886 $ | 3,515 $ |