Cost of Living in Midwest vs Alajuela

Cost of living in Midwest is 21% higher than in Alajuela (without rent).

Rent in Midwest is 92% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Cost of living including rent in Midwest is 56% higher than in Alajuela.

Food in Midwest is 30% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Transport in Midwest is 25% cheaper than in Alajuela.

Midwest vs. Alajuela Comparision

Midwest Alajuela
Cost of Living, including rent
1,919 $
1,233 $
Without Rent
764 $
633 $
Rent & Utilities
1,154 $
601 $
Food
567 $
437 $
Transport
48 $
64 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4,098 $
1,155 $
Quality of Life
70
63
Population
58.4K
44.4K

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Midwest Alajuela

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
15.5 $ 6.73 $
Dinner, for 2 68.2 $ 38.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.83 $ 9.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.79 $ 2.39 $
Capuccino 5.8 $ 3.01 $
Coke, 330ml 2.53 $ 1.51 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.05 $ 1.83 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.78 $ 2.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.87 $ 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.69 $ 2.18 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.8 $ 8.44 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.5 $ 9.56 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.5 $ 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.65 $ 3.82 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.62 $ 1.37 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.3 $ 3.47 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.18 $ 2.8 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.95 $ 2.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.48 $ 1.63 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.27 $ 3.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.3 $ 17.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.13 $ 2.06 $
Cigarette pack 9.17 $ 4.81 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.44 $ 0.83 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 50 $ 107 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.83 $ 1.46 $
Taxi, 8 km 14.4 $ 11.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 99.3 $ 66.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 7.02 $ 8.08 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 5.3 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.7 $ 2.8 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.56 $ 3.86 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
148 $ 35.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
229 $ 54.8 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
70.9 $ 31.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 901 $ 516 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,493 $ 1,058 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,070 $ 602 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,101 $ 961 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,674 $ 1,927 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,845 $ 1,442 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,098 $ 1,155 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.62 % 11.3 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 36.6 $ 62.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 13.6 $ 8.64 $
Haircut 17.7 $ 12.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 105 $ 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 54.6 $ 72.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,417 $ 290 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 21,100 $ 5,886 $