Cost of Living in Alajuela - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $814 (excluding rent), and $1,574 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,008 (excluding rent), and $3,116 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.65 ₡4,786

$6.75 ₡3,348

$28.95 ₡14.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.43 ₡19.5K

$35.48 ₡17.6K

$98.6 ₡48.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.41 ₡4,668

$8.92 ₡4,421

$11.89 ₡5,893

Cappuccino

$3.60 ₡1,783

$1.96 ₡972

$6.86 ₡3,399

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 ₡972

$1.51 ₡750

$3.09 ₡1,530

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.34 ₡662

$0.92 ₡455

$2.03 ₡1,006

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.17 ₡1,078

$1.68 ₡832

$4.93 ₡2,446

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.64 ₡1,802

$2.63 ₡1,304

$6.06 ₡3,005

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 ₡915

$1.35 ₡669

$2.70 ₡1,339

White Bread (500g)

$2.50 ₡1,241

$1.12 ₡557

$4.48 ₡2,219

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.14 ₡1,063

$1.75 ₡869

$3.90 ₡1,931

Eggs

$2.24 ₡1,110

$1.18 ₡587

$3.92 ₡1,946

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.17 ₡5,040

$4.07 ₡2,016

$20.32 ₡10.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.37 ₡4,643

$5.10 ₡2,530

$15.32 ₡7,596

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.92 ₡6,899

$10.32 ₡5,118

$18.22 ₡9,034

Apples (1kg)

$4.07 ₡2,017

$2.27 ₡1,123

$6.86 ₡3,400

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ₡755

$0.62 ₡306

$2.46 ₡1,219

Oranges (1kg)

$4.19 ₡2,079

$1.96 ₡971

$5.88 ₡2,914

Tomato (1kg)

$2.86 ₡1,416

$2.02 ₡999

$8.06 ₡3,997

Potato (1kg)

$2.78 ₡1,376

$1.86 ₡922

$6.78 ₡3,360

Onion (1kg)

$2.58 ₡1,277

$1.98 ₡981

$4.52 ₡2,243

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 ₡475

$0.68 ₡336

$1.07 ₡532

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.58 ₡1,277

$1.01 ₡501

$3.52 ₡1,743

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.01 ₡2,485

$4.01 ₡1,990

$12.03 ₡5,965

Wine (Bottle)

$17.79 ₡8,822

$9.89 ₡4,904

$29.66 ₡14.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 ₡1,050

$1.42 ₡705

$2.99 ₡1,484

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 ₡1,209

$0.98 ₡486

$5.46 ₡2,705

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.87 ₡429

$0.71 ₡353

$1.01 ₡500

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$110 ₡54.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 ₡710

$1.35 ₡670

$2.01 ₡995

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 ₡677

$2.43 ₡1,207

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.02 ₡3,974

$7.18 ₡3,561

$9.09 ₡4,508

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡699

$1.30 ₡645

$1.56 ₡772

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$38.3K ₡19.0M

$37.2K ₡18.4M

$40.5K ₡20.1M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.8K ₡16.3M

$35.1K ₡17.4M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$45.49 ₡22.6K

$40.43 ₡20.0K

$131 ₡65.2K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$19.69 ₡9,763

$49.24 ₡24.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.41 ₡16.6K

$26.33 ₡13.1K

$85.1 ₡42.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.6 ₡32.5K

$50.5 ₡25.0K

$80.8 ₡40.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.96 ₡21.3K

$7.81 ₡3,874

$78.1 ₡38.7K

Cinema Ticket

$9.11 ₡4,516

$6.08 ₡3,012

$15.18 ₡7,528

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$297 ₡147.1K

$920 ₡456.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,310 ₡1.1M

$19.2K ₡9.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.1 ₡31.3K

$40.21 ₡19.9K

$121 ₡59.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.3 ₡26.0K

$40.68 ₡20.2K

$80.9 ₡40.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 ₡59.5K

$90.1 ₡44.6K

$150 ₡74.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.1 ₡48.7K

$49.07 ₡24.3K

$157 ₡77.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$696 ₡344.9K

$497 ₡246.3K

$1,199 ₡594.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$600 ₡297.3K

$360 ₡178.4K

$800 ₡396.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$978 ₡484.7K

$882 ₡437.4K

$1,765 ₡875.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$955 ₡473.7K

$603 ₡299.2K

$1,214 ₡601.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,004 ₡993.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,520 ₡753.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,216 ₡602.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 11, 2026

Alajuela Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

195

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

197

Mbps

126

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Alajuela - Frequently Asked Questions

Alajuela offers a balanced mix of affordability and convenience compared with larger hubs. The Cost of Living in Alajuela, Costa Rica often feels moderate if you prioritize location and blend local markets with occasional international options. Housing ranges from compact city-center apartments to quieter areas a short bus ride away, usually more affordable than coastal resorts. Food, transit, and utilities are predictable, with plentiful street fare and reliable buses. Leisure and services cluster around malls and plazas without the premium you'd expect in heavy tourist zones. Tip: Start with a neighborhood survey, test a few weeks of living like a local, and adjust based on your commute and work needs.

Daily life in Alajuela centers on practical local options and quick access to nature. In your housing search, expect a range from compact apartments near the city center to quieter corners with garden spaces; leases are commonly straightforward, and short-term stays can bridge the gap while you settle. Food options include vibrant markets, affordable street bites, and dependable grocery stores. Transport leans on reliable buses, rideshares, and walking; many nomads rotate between a coworking cafe and a nearby park for breaks. Knowing the Alajuela, Costa Rica living cost helps you decide on neighborhoods and commute patterns. Tip: choose a base within a short ride to essential spots to save time and money.

Quality of life here is highly lifestyle-driven, so budget around how you spend on basics and how you move. Use a simple framework: map essentials (housing, food, transport) vs discretionary (coffee, outings) and adjust seasonally – the rainy months may reduce outdoor plans but lower energy use can cut costs, while dry season keeps outdoor access high. Choose a neighborhood by daily rhythm: near work or study spots for shorter commutes, or familiar markets for weekly groceries. Save by cooking at home, buying from local markets, and using public transit rather than private rides. Tip: set a monthly cap for meals out and re-evaluate quarterly.