Cost of Living in Alajuela vs Puerto Cortes

Cost of living in Alajuela is 56% higher than in Puerto Cortes (without rent).

Rent in Alajuela is 92% more expensive than in Puerto Cortes.

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

Food in Alajuela is 52% more expensive than in Puerto Cortes.

Transport in Alajuela is 38% more expensive than in Puerto Cortes.

Alajuela vs. Puerto Cortes Comparision

Alajuela Puerto Cortes
Cost of Living, including rent
1,233 $
720 $
Without Rent
633 $
407 $
Rent & Utilities
601 $
313 $
Food
437 $
287 $
Transport
64 $
46 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,155 $
538 $
Quality of Life
63
18
Population
44.4K
122.0K

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Alajuela Puerto Cortes

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
6.73 $ 4.71 $
Dinner, for 2 38.6 $ 25 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.08 $ 6.25 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.39 $ 1.72 $
Capuccino 3.01 $ 2.07 $
Coke, 330ml 1.51 $ 0.93 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.83 $ 1.19 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.34 $ 1.71 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.06 $ 1.1 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.18 $ 2.07 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.44 $ 4.78 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.56 $ 4.99 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.8 $ 13.5 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.82 $ 2.57 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.37 $ 1.3 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.47 $ 2.34 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.8 $ 1.49 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.52 $ 1.85 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.63 $ 0.81 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 3.07 $ 1.76 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.2 $ 10.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.06 $ 1.2 $
Cigarette pack 4.81 $ 2.71 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.83 $ 0.7 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 107 $ 35.3 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.46 $ 1.18 $
Taxi, 8 km 11.6 $ 17.7 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 66.5 $ 36.2 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.08 $ 6.53 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.04 $ 7.36 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.8 $ 3.23 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 3.86 $ 2.42 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
35.8 $ 79.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
54.8 $ 122 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
31.7 $ 66.8 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 516 $ 153 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,058 $ 359 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 602 $ 221 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 961 $ 457 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,927 $ 591 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,442 $ 531 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,155 $ 538 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 11.3 % 10.95 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 62.1 $ 37 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.64 $ 4.21 $
Haircut 12.7 $ 4.6 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 115 $ 69.7 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 72.5 $ 47.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 290 $ 92.5 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 5,886 $ 3,530 $