Cost of Living in Alajuela vs San Diego

Cost of living in Alajuela is 42% lower than in San Diego (without rent).

Rent in Alajuela is 73% cheaper than in San Diego.

Cost of living including rent in Alajuela is 63% lower than in San Diego.

Food in Alajuela is 39% cheaper than in San Diego.

Transport in Alajuela is 65% cheaper than in San Diego.

Alajuela vs. San Diego Comparision

Alajuela San Diego
Cost of Living, including rent
1,233 $
3,346 $
Without Rent
633 $
1,098 $
Rent & Utilities
601 $
2,248 $
Food
437 $
722 $
Transport
64 $
185 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,155 $
5,772 $
Quality of Life
63
92
Population
44.4K
1.4M

Compare other cities?

Alajuela San Diego

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
6.73 $ 20.9 $
Dinner, for 2 38.6 $ 85.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.08 $ 12.9 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.39 $ 8.25 $
Capuccino 3.01 $ 5.51 $
Coke, 330ml 1.51 $ 2.62 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.83 $ 1.16 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.34 $ 3.98 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.06 $ 3.91 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.18 $ 4.72 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.44 $ 15 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.56 $ 14.4 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.8 $ 18.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.82 $ 4.96 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.37 $ 1.69 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.47 $ 3.78 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.8 $ 2.54 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.52 $ 2.34 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.63 $ 1.6 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 3.07 $ 3.2 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.2 $ 18.3 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.06 $ 3.1 $
Cigarette pack 4.81 $ 11.3 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.83 $ 2.52 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 107 $ 72.6 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.46 $ 1.38 $
Taxi, 8 km 11.6 $ 20.2 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 66.5 $ 132 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.08 $ 16.2 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.04 $ 10.9 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.8 $ 5.94 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 3.86 $ 2.98 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
35.8 $ 184 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
54.8 $ 286 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
31.7 $ 69.1 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 516 $ 1,894 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,058 $ 3,534 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 602 $ 2,399 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 961 $ 4,351 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,927 $ 9,294 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,442 $ 7,063 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,155 $ 5,772 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 11.3 % 6.53 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 62.1 $ 72.4 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.64 $ 18 $
Haircut 12.7 $ 28 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 115 $ 99.1 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 72.5 $ 56.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 290 $ 1,752 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 5,886 $ 21,468 $