Cost of living in Iowa City is 13% higher than in Alajuela (without rent).
Rent in Iowa City is 87% more expensive than in Alajuela.
Cost of living including rent in Iowa City is 49% higher than in Alajuela.
Food in Iowa City is 21% more expensive than in Alajuela.
Transport in Iowa City is 23% cheaper than in Alajuela.
| Iowa City | Alajuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living, including rent | ||
| Without Rent | ||
| Rent & Utilities | ||
| Food | ||
| Transport | ||
| Monthly Salary, after tax | ||
| Quality of Life | ||
| Population |
| Iowa City | Alajuela | |
|---|---|---|
Restaurants |
||
| Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant |
13.7 $ | 6.73 $ |
| Dinner, for 2 | 47.7 $ | 38.6 $ |
| Fast food, McDonalds or KFC | 8.62 $ | 9.08 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 4.78 $ | 2.39 $ |
| Capuccino | 4.62 $ | 3.01 $ |
| Coke, 330ml | 2.27 $ | 1.51 $ |
Markets |
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.93 $ | 1.83 $ |
| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb | 2.37 $ | 2.34 $ |
| Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb | 4.42 $ | 2.06 $ |
| Eggs, 12 pack | 3.3 $ | 2.18 $ |
| Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb | 13.5 $ | 8.44 $ |
| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb | 12.2 $ | 9.56 $ |
| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb | 16.7 $ | 13.8 $ |
| Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb | 4.09 $ | 3.82 $ |
| Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb | 1.27 $ | 1.37 $ |
| Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb | 4.82 $ | 3.47 $ |
| Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.04 $ | 2.8 $ |
| Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb | 2.73 $ | 2.52 $ |
| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.12 $ | 1.63 $ |
| Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz | 2 $ | 3.07 $ |
| Wine, 750 mL bottle | 13 $ | 17.2 $ |
| Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 1.93 $ | 2.06 $ |
| Cigarette pack | 8.66 $ | 4.81 $ |
Transport |
||
| Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket | 2.1 $ | 0.83 $ |
| Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket | 30.1 $ | 107 $ |
| Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.81 $ | 1.46 $ |
| Taxi, 8 km | 20.4 $ | 11.6 $ |
Personal Care |
||
| Doctor visit, private clinic | 86.6 $ | 66.5 $ |
| Cold medicine, for 1 week | 9.36 $ | 8.08 $ |
| Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz | 5.24 $ | 7.04 $ |
| Toilet paper, 4 rolls | 3.21 $ | 2.8 $ |
| Toothpaste, 1 tube | 1.84 $ | 3.86 $ |
Utilities per Month |
||
| Utility bill - 1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
101 $ | 35.8 $ |
| Utility bill - family, electricity, heating, water & garbage |
155 $ | 54.8 $ |
| Internet plan, +60 Mbps |
61.7 $ | 31.7 $ |
Rent per Month |
||
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m | 857 $ | 516 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m | 1,389 $ | 1,058 $ |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m | 1,364 $ | 602 $ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m | 2,347 $ | 961 $ |
Buy Apartment Price |
||
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center | 1,919 $ | 1,927 $ |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs | 1,888 $ | 1,442 $ |
Salaries and Financing |
||
| Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax | 3,874 $ | 1,155 $ |
| Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate | 6.53 % | 11.3 % |
Sports and Leisure |
||
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 44.1 $ | 62.1 $ |
| Cinema, 1 seat | 11.4 $ | 8.64 $ |
| Haircut | 18.6 $ | 12.7 $ |
Clothing and Shoes |
||
| Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar | 79.1 $ | 115 $ |
| Brand Jeans, Levis 501 | 55.7 $ | 72.5 $ |
Childcare |
||
| Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child | 1,268 $ | 290 $ |
| International Primary School, yearly for 1 child | 24,399 $ | 5,886 $ |