Cost of Living in Billings vs Alajuela

Cost of living in Billings is 24% higher than in Alajuela (without rent).

Rent in Billings is 64% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Cost of living including rent in Billings is 44% higher than in Alajuela.

Food in Billings is 31% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Transport in Billings is 24% cheaper than in Alajuela.

Billings vs. Alajuela Comparision

Billings Alajuela
Cost of Living, including rent
1,773 $
1,233 $
Without Rent
785 $
633 $
Rent & Utilities
988 $
601 $
Food
574 $
437 $
Transport
48 $
64 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3,952 $
1,155 $
Quality of Life
60
63
Population
117.0K
44.4K

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Billings Alajuela

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
17.2 $ 6.73 $
Dinner, for 2 57.9 $ 38.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 12.8 $ 9.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.35 $ 2.39 $
Capuccino 5.71 $ 3.01 $
Coke, 330ml 1.94 $ 1.51 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.02 $ 1.83 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.97 $ 2.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.35 $ 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.8 $ 2.18 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.2 $ 8.44 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.7 $ 9.56 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.5 $ 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.04 $ 3.82 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.3 $ 1.37 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.32 $ 3.47 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.66 $ 2.8 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.03 $ 2.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.87 $ 1.63 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.76 $ 3.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 16.3 $ 17.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.56 $ 2.06 $
Cigarette pack 8.02 $ 4.81 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.01 $ 0.83 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 31.2 $ 107 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.86 $ 1.46 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.4 $ 11.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 139 $ 66.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 10.5 $ 8.08 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 4.24 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 4.87 $ 2.8 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.56 $ 3.86 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
94.8 $ 35.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
146 $ 54.8 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
74.1 $ 31.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 781 $ 516 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,617 $ 1,058 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 973 $ 602 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,937 $ 961 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,323 $ 1,927 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,015 $ 1,442 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,952 $ 1,155 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.64 % 11.3 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 32.9 $ 62.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 15.1 $ 8.64 $
Haircut 15.9 $ 12.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 83.9 $ 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 50.3 $ 72.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 993 $ 290 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 20,045 $ 5,886 $