Cost of Living in McAllen vs Alajuela

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

Rent in McAllen is 35% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Cost of living including rent in McAllen is 18% higher than in Alajuela.

Food in McAllen is 8% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Transport in McAllen is 32% cheaper than in Alajuela.

McAllen vs. Alajuela Comparision

McAllen Alajuela
Cost of Living, including rent
1,457 $
1,233 $
Without Rent
645 $
633 $
Rent & Utilities
812 $
601 $
Food
471 $
437 $
Transport
43 $
64 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3,831 $
1,155 $
Quality of Life
61
63
Population
142.0K
44.4K

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McAllen Alajuela

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
11 $ 6.73 $
Dinner, for 2 56.3 $ 38.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 10.3 $ 9.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.85 $ 2.39 $
Capuccino 4.29 $ 3.01 $
Coke, 330ml 2.32 $ 1.51 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.9 $ 1.83 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.2 $ 2.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.48 $ 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.11 $ 2.18 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.22 $ 8.44 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.96 $ 9.56 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.7 $ 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.16 $ 3.82 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.34 $ 1.37 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.4 $ 3.47 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.12 $ 2.8 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.95 $ 2.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.41 $ 1.63 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 6.95 $ 3.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.9 $ 17.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.12 $ 2.06 $
Cigarette pack 8.08 $ 4.81 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 1 $ 0.83 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 39.8 $ 107 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.79 $ 1.46 $
Taxi, 8 km 14.2 $ 11.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 98.3 $ 66.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.62 $ 8.08 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.88 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.24 $ 2.8 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.46 $ 3.86 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
130 $ 35.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
202 $ 54.8 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
66.7 $ 31.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 572 $ 516 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 996 $ 1,058 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 789 $ 602 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,343 $ 961 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,546 $ 1,927 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,576 $ 1,442 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,831 $ 1,155 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.37 % 11.3 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 41.8 $ 62.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 11.9 $ 8.64 $
Haircut 9.59 $ 12.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 74.1 $ 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 60 $ 72.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,198 $ 290 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 13,941 $ 5,886 $