Cost of living in Alajuela is 10% higher than in Santiago de Veraguas (without rent).
Rent in Alajuela is 25% more expensive than in Santiago de Veraguas.
Cost of living including rent in Alajuela is 17% higher than in Santiago de Veraguas.
Food in Alajuela is very similar to Santiago de Veraguas.
Transport in Alajuela is 46% more expensive than in Santiago de Veraguas.
| Alajuela | Santiago de Veraguas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living, including rent | ||
| Without Rent | ||
| Rent & Utilities | ||
| Food | ||
| Transport | ||
| Monthly Salary, after tax | ||
| Quality of Life | ||
| Population | 
| Alajuela | Santiago de Veraguas | |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | ||
| Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant | 6.73 $ | 11.2 $ | 
| Dinner, for 2 | 38.6 $ | 57 $ | 
| Fast food, McDonalds or KFC | 9.08 $ | 7.74 $ | 
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.39 $ | 2.73 $ | 
| Capuccino | 3.01 $ | 3.55 $ | 
| Coke, 330ml | 1.51 $ | 1.87 $ | 
| Markets | Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.83 $ | 1.75 $ | 
| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb | 2.34 $ | 2.4 $ | 
| Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.06 $ | 2.5 $ | 
| Eggs, 12 pack | 2.18 $ | 2.62 $ | 
| Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb | 8.44 $ | 12 $ | 
| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb | 9.56 $ | 7.62 $ | 
| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb | 13.8 $ | 9.31 $ | 
| Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.82 $ | 3.61 $ | 
| Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.37 $ | 1.54 $ | 
| Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.47 $ | 3.07 $ | 
| Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.8 $ | 2.2 $ | 
| Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.52 $ | 2.51 $ | 
| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.63 $ | 1.03 $ | 
| Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz | 3.07 $ | 2.3 $ | 
| Wine, 750 mL bottle | 17.2 $ | 8.72 $ | 
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 2.06 $ | 1.1 $ | 
| Cigarette pack | 4.81 $ | 6.04 $ | 
| Transport | ||
| Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket | 0.83 $ | 0.57 $ | 
| Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket | 107 $ | 36.6 $ | 
| Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.46 $ | 1.02 $ | 
| Taxi, 8 km | 11.6 $ | 16.4 $ | 
| Personal Care | ||
| Doctor visit, private clinic | 66.5 $ | 39.6 $ | 
| Cold medicine, for 1 week | 8.08 $ | 12 $ | 
| Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz | 7.04 $ | 4.76 $ | 
| Toilet paper, 4 rolls | 2.8 $ | 2.6 $ | 
| Toothpaste, 1 tube | 3.86 $ | 2.22 $ | 
| Utilities per Month | ||
| Utility bill - 1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage | 35.8 $ | 76 $ | 
| Utility bill - family, electricity, heating, water & garbage | 54.8 $ | 117 $ | 
| Internet plan, +60 Mbps | 31.7 $ | 48.3 $ | 
| Rent per Month | ||
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m | 516 $ | 319 $ | 
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m | 1,058 $ | 567 $ | 
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m | 602 $ | 496 $ | 
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m | 961 $ | 1,001 $ | 
| Buy Apartment Price | ||
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center | 1,927 $ | 2,296 $ | 
| Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs | 1,442 $ | 1,477 $ | 
| Salaries and Financing | ||
| Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax | 1,155 $ | 736 $ | 
| Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate | 11.3 % | 6.27 % | 
| Sports and Leisure | ||
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 62.1 $ | 33.2 $ | 
| Cinema, 1 seat | 8.64 $ | 6.45 $ | 
| Haircut | 12.7 $ | 8.56 $ | 
| Clothing and Shoes | ||
| Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar | 115 $ | 83.4 $ | 
| Brand Jeans, Levis 501 | 72.5 $ | 52.2 $ | 
| Childcare | ||
| Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child | 290 $ | 439 $ | 
| International Primary School, yearly for 1 child | 5,886 $ | 8,977 $ |