Cost of Living in Des Moines vs Alajuela

Cost of living in Des Moines is 42% higher than in Alajuela (without rent).

Rent in Des Moines is 168% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Cost of living including rent in Des Moines is 104% higher than in Alajuela.

Food in Des Moines is 51% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Transport in Des Moines is very similar to Alajuela.

Des Moines vs. Alajuela Comparision

Des Moines Alajuela
Cost of Living, including rent
2,512 $
1,233 $
Without Rent
902 $
633 $
Rent & Utilities
1,611 $
601 $
Food
658 $
437 $
Transport
64 $
64 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4,677 $
1,155 $
Quality of Life
70
63
Population
32.9K
44.4K

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Des Moines Alajuela

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
18.9 $ 6.73 $
Dinner, for 2 79.5 $ 38.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 11.8 $ 9.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.43 $ 2.39 $
Capuccino 4.97 $ 3.01 $
Coke, 330ml 2.62 $ 1.51 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.11 $ 1.83 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.86 $ 2.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.36 $ 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.94 $ 2.18 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.1 $ 8.44 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 14 $ 9.56 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.9 $ 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.11 $ 3.82 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.79 $ 1.37 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.72 $ 3.47 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.92 $ 2.8 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.29 $ 2.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.6 $ 1.63 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.65 $ 3.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 14.5 $ 17.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.83 $ 2.06 $
Cigarette pack 10.7 $ 4.81 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.86 $ 0.83 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 78.7 $ 107 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.12 $ 1.46 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.6 $ 11.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 156 $ 66.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 11.3 $ 8.08 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 5.25 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 5.2 $ 2.8 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.5 $ 3.86 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
126 $ 35.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
196 $ 54.8 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
66.4 $ 31.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,384 $ 516 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,589 $ 1,058 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,557 $ 602 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,909 $ 961 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 5,300 $ 1,927 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 3,892 $ 1,442 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,677 $ 1,155 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.55 % 11.3 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 45.9 $ 62.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 15.1 $ 8.64 $
Haircut 20.3 $ 12.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 88.2 $ 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 51.5 $ 72.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,867 $ 290 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 27,501 $ 5,886 $