Cost of Living in Alajuela vs Leon

Cost of living in Alajuela is 40% higher than in Leon (without rent).

Rent in Alajuela is 126% more expensive than in Leon.

Cost of living including rent in Alajuela is 71% higher than in Leon.

Food in Alajuela is 48% more expensive than in Leon.

Transport in Alajuela is 24% cheaper than in Leon.

Alajuela vs. Leon Comparision

Alajuela Leon
Cost of Living, including rent
1,233 $
719 $
Without Rent
633 $
453 $
Rent & Utilities
601 $
266 $
Food
437 $
296 $
Transport
64 $
84 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,155 $
625 $
Quality of Life
63
36
Population
44.4K
1.6M

Compare other cities?

Alajuela Leon

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
6.73 $ 9.16 $
Dinner, for 2 38.6 $ 14 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.08 $ 6.05 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.39 $ 2.3 $
Capuccino 3.01 $ 4.11 $
Coke, 330ml 1.51 $ 1.48 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.83 $ 1.25 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.34 $ 0.97 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.06 $ 0.97 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.18 $ 2 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.44 $ 8.55 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.56 $ 8.48 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.8 $ 11.1 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.82 $ 2.24 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.37 $ 0.79 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.47 $ 0.62 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.8 $ 1.46 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.52 $ 1.18 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.63 $ 0.61 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 3.07 $ 1.59 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.2 $ 9.95 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.06 $ 1.43 $
Cigarette pack 4.81 $ 3.58 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.83 $ 0.66 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 107 $ 33.9 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.46 $ 1.19 $
Taxi, 8 km 11.6 $ 6.94 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 66.5 $ 28.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.08 $ 5.63 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.04 $ 3.16 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.8 $ 1.82 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 3.86 $ 1.21 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
35.8 $ 17.7 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
54.8 $ 27.4 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
31.7 $ 20.9 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 516 $ 186 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,058 $ 297 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 602 $ 394 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 961 $ 633 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,927 $ 408 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,442 $ 508 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,155 $ 625 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 11.3 % 11.68 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 62.1 $ 31.3 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.64 $ 4.5 $
Haircut 12.7 $ 10.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 115 $ 65.8 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 72.5 $ 45 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 290 $ 202 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 5,886 $ 2,742 $