Cost of living in Helena is 37% higher than in Alajuela (without rent).
Rent in Helena is 172% more expensive than in Alajuela.
Cost of living including rent in Helena is 103% higher than in Alajuela.
Food in Helena is 44% more expensive than in Alajuela.
Transport in Helena is 40% more expensive than in Alajuela.
| Helena | Alajuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living, including rent | ||
| Without Rent | ||
| Rent & Utilities | ||
| Food | ||
| Transport | ||
| Monthly Salary, after tax | ||
| Quality of Life | ||
| Population |
| Helena | Alajuela | |
|---|---|---|
Restaurants |
||
| Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant |
20.9 $ | 6.73 $ |
| Dinner, for 2 | 90.8 $ | 38.6 $ |
| Fast food, McDonalds or KFC | 10.2 $ | 9.08 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 5.05 $ | 2.39 $ |
| Capuccino | 4.83 $ | 3.01 $ |
| Coke, 330ml | 1.97 $ | 1.51 $ |
Markets |
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.98 $ | 1.83 $ |
| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb | 4.68 $ | 2.34 $ |
| Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb | 3.62 $ | 2.06 $ |
| Eggs, 12 pack | 2.86 $ | 2.18 $ |
| Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb | 11.9 $ | 8.44 $ |
| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb | 9.42 $ | 9.56 $ |
| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb | 19.9 $ | 13.8 $ |
| Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb | 5.55 $ | 3.82 $ |
| Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.73 $ | 1.37 $ |
| Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb | 4.68 $ | 3.47 $ |
| Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.63 $ | 2.8 $ |
| Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.86 $ | 2.52 $ |
| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.54 $ | 1.63 $ |
| Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz | 2.14 $ | 3.07 $ |
| Wine, 750 mL bottle | 10.5 $ | 17.2 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 1.77 $ | 2.06 $ |
| Cigarette pack | 10.1 $ | 4.81 $ |
Transport |
||
| Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket | 3.5 $ | 0.83 $ |
| Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket | 60.1 $ | 107 $ |
| Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.93 $ | 1.46 $ |
| Taxi, 8 km | 37.7 $ | 11.6 $ |
Personal Care |
||
| Doctor visit, private clinic | 90.2 $ | 66.5 $ |
| Cold medicine, for 1 week | 8.69 $ | 8.08 $ |
| Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz | 5.41 $ | 7.04 $ |
| Toilet paper, 4 rolls | 4.13 $ | 2.8 $ |
| Toothpaste, 1 tube | 1.78 $ | 3.86 $ |
Utilities per Month |
||
| Utility bill - 1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
97.3 $ | 35.8 $ |
| Utility bill - family, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
149 $ | 54.8 $ |
| Internet plan, +60 Mbps |
98.3 $ | 31.7 $ |
Rent per Month |
||
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m | 1,433 $ | 516 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m | 2,046 $ | 1,058 $ |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m | 1,449 $ | 602 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m | 2,450 $ | 961 $ |
Buy Apartment Price |
||
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center | 12,947 $ | 1,927 $ |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs | 9,101 $ | 1,442 $ |
Salaries and Financing |
||
| Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax | 4,882 $ | 1,155 $ |
| Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate | 6.91 % | 11.3 % |
Sports and Leisure |
||
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 52.5 $ | 62.1 $ |
| Cinema, 1 seat | 10.5 $ | 8.64 $ |
| Haircut | 17.5 $ | 12.7 $ |
Clothing and Shoes |
||
| Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar | 97.3 $ | 115 $ |
| Brand Jeans, Levis 501 | 84.8 $ | 72.5 $ |
Childcare |
||
| Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child | 1,884 $ | 290 $ |
| International Primary School, yearly for 1 child | 22,021 $ | 5,886 $ |