Cost of Living in Arecibo vs Alajuela

Cost of living in Arecibo is very similar to Alajuela (without rent).

Rent in Arecibo is 15% cheaper than in Alajuela.

Cost of living including rent in Arecibo is 8% lower than in Alajuela.

Food in Arecibo is 5% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Transport in Arecibo is 13% cheaper than in Alajuela.

Arecibo vs. Alajuela Comparision

Arecibo Alajuela
Cost of Living, including rent
1,129 $
1,233 $
Without Rent
621 $
633 $
Rent & Utilities
508 $
601 $
Food
458 $
437 $
Transport
55 $
64 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
2,574 $
1,155 $
Quality of Life
65
63
Population
87.8K
44.4K

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Arecibo Alajuela

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
11.9 $ 6.73 $
Dinner, for 2 49.8 $ 38.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 7.43 $ 9.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.01 $ 2.39 $
Capuccino 3.19 $ 3.01 $
Coke, 330ml 1.49 $ 1.51 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.66 $ 1.83 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.02 $ 2.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.18 $ 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.54 $ 2.18 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.79 $ 8.44 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.63 $ 9.56 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.82 $ 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.78 $ 3.82 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.99 $ 1.37 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.55 $ 3.47 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.81 $ 2.8 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.83 $ 2.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.96 $ 1.63 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.78 $ 3.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.9 $ 17.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.1 $ 2.06 $
Cigarette pack 8 $ 4.81 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2 $ 0.83 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 40.1 $ 107 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.91 $ 1.46 $
Taxi, 8 km 21.8 $ 11.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 63.6 $ 66.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.64 $ 8.08 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 6.09 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.52 $ 2.8 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.68 $ 3.86 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
59.5 $ 35.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
90.5 $ 54.8 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
70.6 $ 31.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 361 $ 516 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 681 $ 1,058 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 446 $ 602 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,045 $ 961 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,984 $ 1,927 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,737 $ 1,442 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 2,574 $ 1,155 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.18 % 11.3 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 40.4 $ 62.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 7.02 $ 8.64 $
Haircut 16.3 $ 12.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 81.9 $ 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 45.1 $ 72.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 455 $ 290 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 3,991 $ 5,886 $