Cost of Living in Tamarindo vs Alajuela

Cost of living in Tamarindo is 6% higher than in Alajuela (without rent).

Rent in Tamarindo is 69% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Cost of living including rent in Tamarindo is 37% higher than in Alajuela.

Food in Tamarindo is 11% more expensive than in Alajuela.

Transport in Tamarindo is 21% cheaper than in Alajuela.

Tamarindo vs. Alajuela Comparision

Tamarindo Alajuela
Cost of Living, including rent
1,687 $
1,233 $
Without Rent
668 $
633 $
Rent & Utilities
1,018 $
601 $
Food
485 $
437 $
Transport
51 $
64 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
869 $
1,155 $
Quality of Life
49
63
Population
7.1K
44.4K

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Tamarindo Alajuela

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
11.4 $ 6.73 $
Dinner, for 2 57.9 $ 38.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.24 $ 9.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.08 $ 2.39 $
Capuccino 3.69 $ 3.01 $
Coke, 330ml 1.9 $ 1.51 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.88 $ 1.83 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.57 $ 2.34 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.08 $ 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.23 $ 2.18 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.37 $ 8.44 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.61 $ 9.56 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.9 $ 13.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.27 $ 3.82 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.36 $ 1.37 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.06 $ 3.47 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.28 $ 2.8 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.62 $ 2.52 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.68 $ 1.63 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 3.09 $ 3.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.6 $ 17.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.4 $ 2.06 $
Cigarette pack 4.77 $ 4.81 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 1.15 $ 0.83 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 54.7 $ 107 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.46 $ 1.46 $
Taxi, 8 km 14.7 $ 11.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 67.2 $ 66.5 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.07 $ 8.08 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 6.93 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.75 $ 2.8 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 3.91 $ 3.86 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
48.3 $ 35.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
75.1 $ 54.8 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
51.1 $ 31.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 743 $ 516 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 871 $ 1,058 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,623 $ 602 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,881 $ 961 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,918 $ 1,927 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,703 $ 1,442 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 869 $ 1,155 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 8.95 % 11.3 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 96.1 $ 62.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 6.68 $ 8.64 $
Haircut 12.7 $ 12.7 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 105 $ 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 73.2 $ 72.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 500 $ 290 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 8,808 $ 5,886 $