diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveB.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveB.cpp
index b70af6fb4ed..65d18ed7a13 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveB.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveB.cpp
@@ -187,6 +187,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::EvolveBCartesian (
                 }
             );
         }
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -340,6 +342,7 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::EvolveBCartesianECT (
 
             });
 
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 #else
@@ -449,6 +452,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::EvolveBCylindrical (
             }
 
         );
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveE.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveE.cpp
index 5d9a0ac2a96..71d565a38ba 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveE.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveE.cpp
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::EvolveECartesian (
             );
 
         }
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
 }
@@ -426,6 +428,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::EvolveECylindrical (
 
         } // end of if condition for F
 
+        cost_tracker.add();
+
     } // end of loop over grid/tiles
 
 }
diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveECTRho.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveECTRho.cpp
index 02c78c029a7..471a479259e 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveECTRho.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/EvolveECTRho.cpp
@@ -146,6 +146,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::EvolveRhoCartesianECT (
 #ifdef WARPX_DIM_XZ
         amrex::ignore_unused(Ey, Rhox, Rhoz, ly);
 #endif
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 #else
     amrex::ignore_unused(Efield, edge_lengths, face_areas, ECTRhofield, lev);
diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/HybridPICSolveE.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/HybridPICSolveE.cpp
index 09b559c661e..4ced40ad9b5 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/HybridPICSolveE.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/FiniteDifferenceSolver/HybridPICSolveE.cpp
@@ -232,6 +232,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::CalculateCurrentAmpereCylindrical (
                 }
             }
         );
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -338,6 +340,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::CalculateCurrentAmpereCartesian (
                 );
             }
         );
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 #endif
@@ -501,6 +505,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::HybridPICSolveECylindrical (
                 - (jt_interp - jit_interp - Jextt(i, j, 0)) * Br_interp
             );
         });
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
     // Loop through the grids, and over the tiles within each grid again
@@ -670,6 +676,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::HybridPICSolveECylindrical (
                 }
             }
         );
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -790,6 +798,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::HybridPICSolveECartesian (
                 - (jy_interp - jiy_interp - Jexty(i, j, k)) * Bx_interp
             );
         });
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
     // Loop through the grids, and over the tiles within each grid again
@@ -953,6 +963,8 @@ void FiniteDifferenceSolver::HybridPICSolveECartesian (
                 }
             }
         );
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldData.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldData.cpp
index 20c97f4b5d4..0dc7a980b7b 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldData.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldData.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  */
 #include "SpectralFieldData.H"
 
+#include "LoadBalance/LoadBalance.H"
 #include "Utils/WarpXAlgorithmSelection.H"
 #include "Utils/WarpXUtil.H"
 #include "WarpX.H"
@@ -125,9 +126,6 @@ SpectralFieldData::SpectralFieldData( const int lev,
                                       const bool periodic_single_box):
     m_periodic_single_box{periodic_single_box}
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, realspace_ba, dm);
-
     const BoxArray& spectralspace_ba = k_space.spectralspace_ba;
 
     // Allocate the arrays that contain the fields in spectral space
@@ -168,11 +166,8 @@ SpectralFieldData::SpectralFieldData( const int lev,
     // Loop over boxes and allocate the corresponding plan
     // for each box owned by the local MPI proc
     for ( MFIter mfi(spectralspace_ba, dm); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi ){
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         // Note: the size of the real-space box and spectral-space box
         // differ when using real-to-complex FFT. When initializing
@@ -189,12 +184,7 @@ SpectralFieldData::SpectralFieldData( const int lev,
             reinterpret_cast<ablastr::math::anyfft::Complex*>( tmpSpectralField[mfi].dataPtr()),
             ablastr::math::anyfft::direction::C2R, AMREX_SPACEDIM);
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -217,9 +207,6 @@ SpectralFieldData::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
                                      const MultiFab& mf, const int field_index,
                                      const int i_comp)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, mf.boxArray(), mf.DistributionMap());
-
     // Check field index type, in order to apply proper shift in spectral space
 #if (AMREX_SPACEDIM >= 2)
     const bool is_nodal_x = mf.is_nodal(0);
@@ -237,11 +224,8 @@ SpectralFieldData::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
     // Note: we do NOT OpenMP parallelize here, since we use OpenMP threads for
     //       the FFTs on each box!
     for ( MFIter mfi(mf); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi ){
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         // Copy the real-space field `mf` to the temporary field `tmpRealField`
         // This ensures that all fields have the same number of points
@@ -305,12 +289,7 @@ SpectralFieldData::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
             });
         }
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -324,9 +303,6 @@ SpectralFieldData::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
                                       const amrex::IntVect& fill_guards,
                                       const int i_comp)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, mf.boxArray(), mf.DistributionMap());
-
     // Check field index type, in order to apply proper shift in spectral space
 #if (AMREX_SPACEDIM >= 2)
     const bool is_nodal_x = mf.is_nodal(0);
@@ -362,11 +338,8 @@ SpectralFieldData::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
     // Note: we do NOT OpenMP parallelize here, since we use OpenMP threads for
     //       the iFFTs on each box!
     for ( MFIter mfi(mf); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi ){
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         // Copy the spectral-space field `tmpSpectralField` to the appropriate
         // field (specified by the input argument field_index)
@@ -466,12 +439,8 @@ SpectralFieldData::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
             });
         }
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
+
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldDataRZ.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldDataRZ.cpp
index d295d61b43a..7021d597143 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldDataRZ.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/SpectralSolver/SpectralFieldDataRZ.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
  */
 #include "SpectralFieldDataRZ.H"
 
+#include "LoadBalance/LoadBalance.H"
 #include "Utils/WarpXUtil.H"
 #include "WarpX.H"
 
@@ -452,9 +453,6 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
                                        amrex::MultiFab const & field_mf, int const field_index,
                                        int const i_comp)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, field_mf.boxArray(), field_mf.DistributionMap());
-
     // Check field index type, in order to apply proper shift in spectral space.
     // Only cell centered in r is supported.
     bool const is_nodal_z = field_mf.is_nodal(1);
@@ -474,11 +472,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
     // Loop over boxes.
     for (amrex::MFIter mfi(field_mf); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi){
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         // Perform the Hankel transform first.
         // tempHTransformedSplit includes the imaginary component of mode 0.
@@ -495,12 +489,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
 
         FABZForwardTransform(mfi, realspace_bx, tempHTransformedSplit, field_index, is_nodal_z);
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -512,8 +501,6 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
                                        amrex::MultiFab const & field_mf_r, int const field_index_r,
                                        amrex::MultiFab const & field_mf_t, int const field_index_t)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, field_mf_r.boxArray(), field_mf_r.DistributionMap());
 
     // Check field index type, in order to apply proper shift in spectral space.
     // Only cell centered in r is supported.
@@ -531,11 +518,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
     // Loop over boxes.
     for (amrex::MFIter mfi(field_mf_r); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi){
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         amrex::Box const& realspace_bx = tempHTransformed[mfi].box();
 
@@ -561,12 +544,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ForwardTransform (const int lev,
         FABZForwardTransform(mfi, realspace_bx, tempHTransformedSplit_p, field_index_r, is_nodal_z);
         FABZForwardTransform(mfi, realspace_bx, tempHTransformedSplit_m, field_index_t, is_nodal_z);
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -577,9 +555,6 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
                                         amrex::MultiFab& field_mf, int const field_index,
                                         int const i_comp)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, field_mf.boxArray(), field_mf.DistributionMap());
-
     // Check field index type, in order to apply proper shift in spectral space.
     const bool is_nodal_z = field_mf.is_nodal(1);
 
@@ -593,11 +568,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
     // Loop over boxes.
     for (amrex::MFIter mfi(field_mf); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi){
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         amrex::Box realspace_bx = tempHTransformed[mfi].box();
 
@@ -645,12 +616,8 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
             field_mf_array(i,j,k,ic) = sign*field_mf_copy_array(ii,j,k,icomp);
         });
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
+
     }
 }
 
@@ -661,8 +628,6 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
                                         amrex::MultiFab& field_mf_r, int const field_index_r,
                                         amrex::MultiFab& field_mf_t, int const field_index_t)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, field_mf_r.boxArray(), field_mf_r.DistributionMap());
 
     // Check field index type, in order to apply proper shift in spectral space.
     bool const is_nodal_z = field_mf_r.is_nodal(1);
@@ -678,11 +643,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
     // Loop over boxes.
     for (amrex::MFIter mfi(field_mf_r); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi){
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         amrex::Box realspace_bx = tempHTransformed[mfi].box();
 
@@ -741,12 +702,7 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::BackwardTransform (const int lev,
             }
         });
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
 }
@@ -772,16 +728,9 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::InitFilter (amrex::IntVect const & filter_npass_each_dir, b
 void
 SpectralFieldDataRZ::ApplyFilter (const int lev, int const field_index)
 {
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-    const bool do_costs = WarpXUtilLoadBalance::doCosts(cost, binomialfilter.boxArray(), binomialfilter.DistributionMap());
-
     for (amrex::MFIter mfi(binomialfilter); mfi.isValid(); ++mfi){
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-        }
-        auto wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
+        const auto cost_tracker = warpx::LoadBalance::CostTracker(lev, mfi);
 
         auto const & filter_r = binomialfilter[mfi].getFilterArrayR();
         auto const & filter_z = binomialfilter[mfi].getFilterArrayZ();
@@ -803,12 +752,8 @@ SpectralFieldDataRZ::ApplyFilter (const int lev, int const field_index)
             fields_arr(i,j,k,ic) *= filter_r_arr[ir]*filter_z_arr[j];
         });
 
-        if (do_costs)
-        {
-            amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-            wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - wt;
-            amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[mfi.index()], wt);
-        }
+        cost_tracker.add();
+
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/Source/FieldSolver/WarpX_QED_Field_Pushers.cpp b/Source/FieldSolver/WarpX_QED_Field_Pushers.cpp
index f09ae9ba762..aaee712f3f3 100644
--- a/Source/FieldSolver/WarpX_QED_Field_Pushers.cpp
+++ b/Source/FieldSolver/WarpX_QED_Field_Pushers.cpp
@@ -176,5 +176,7 @@ WarpX::Hybrid_QED_Push (int lev, PatchType patch_type, amrex::Real a_dt)
                     a_dt, xi_c2);
             }
         );
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
diff --git a/Source/Filter/Filter.cpp b/Source/Filter/Filter.cpp
index 96aa190bf6e..17d09443b53 100644
--- a/Source/Filter/Filter.cpp
+++ b/Source/Filter/Filter.cpp
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ Filter::ApplyStencil (MultiFab& dstmf, const MultiFab& srcmf, const int lev, int
 
         // Apply filter
         DoFilter(tbx, src, dst, scomp, dcomp, ncomp);
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
 
@@ -215,6 +217,8 @@ Filter::ApplyStencil (amrex::MultiFab& dstmf, const amrex::MultiFab& srcmf, cons
             tmpfab.copy(srcfab, ibx, scomp, ibx, 0, ncomp);
             // Apply filter
             DoFilter(tbx, tmpfab.array(), dstfab.array(), 0, dcomp, ncomp);
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.H b/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.H
index 1a37995542d..cb6abe11139 100644
--- a/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.H
+++ b/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.H
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ namespace warpx::load_balance
     {
     public:
         CostTracker (int lev, std::size_t mfi_iter_index);
-        ~CostTracker ();
+
+        void add () const noexcept;
 
     private:
         int m_lev;
diff --git a/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.cpp b/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.cpp
index 7de72920e56..4be58f7a0df 100644
--- a/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.cpp
+++ b/Source/LoadBalance/LoadBalance.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ namespace
     }
 }
 
-CostTracker::CostTracker(int lev, std::size_t mfi_iter_index):
+CostTracker::CostTracker (int lev, std::size_t mfi_iter_index):
     m_lev{lev},
     m_mfi_iter_index{mfi_iter_index},
     m_wt{0.0_rt}
@@ -61,15 +61,16 @@ CostTracker::CostTracker(int lev, std::size_t mfi_iter_index):
     m_wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second());
 }
 
-CostTracker::~CostTracker()
+void
+CostTracker::add () const noexcept
 {
     if (AllCosts::get_instance().get_update_algo() == CostsUpdateAlgo::Heuristic)
         return;
 
     amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
-    m_wt = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - m_wt;
+    const auto time_diff = static_cast<amrex::Real>(amrex::second()) - m_wt;
     auto& cost = AllCosts::get_instance().m_costs[m_lev];
-    amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[m_mfi_iter_index], m_wt);
+    amrex::HostDevice::Atomic::Add( &(*cost)[m_mfi_iter_index], time_diff);
 }
 
 AllCosts::AllCosts ()
diff --git a/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.H b/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.H
index 3fd8b4d6fc2..d4fea4e8f57 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.H
+++ b/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.H
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ public:
     /** Perform MCC ionization interactions
      *
      * @param[in] lev the mesh-refinement level
-     * @param[in,out] cost pointer to (load balancing) cost corresponding to box where present particles are ionized.
      * @param[in,out] species1,species2 reference to species container used to inject
      * new particles
      * @param t current time
@@ -62,7 +61,6 @@ public:
      */
     void doBackgroundIonization (
                                  int lev,
-                                 amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost,
                                  WarpXParticleContainer& species1,
                                  WarpXParticleContainer& species2,
                                  amrex::Real t
diff --git a/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.cpp b/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.cpp
index 32324344203..30b682e8a19 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.cpp
+++ b/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundMCC/BackgroundMCCCollision.cpp
@@ -283,8 +283,6 @@ BackgroundMCCCollision::doCollisions (amrex::Real cur_time, amrex::Real dt, Mult
     auto const flvl = species1.finestLevel();
     for (int lev = 0; lev <= flvl; ++lev) {
 
-        auto *cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-
         // firstly loop over particles box by box and do all particle conserving
         // scattering
 #ifdef _OPENMP
@@ -293,11 +291,12 @@ BackgroundMCCCollision::doCollisions (amrex::Real cur_time, amrex::Real dt, Mult
         for (WarpXParIter pti(species1, lev); pti.isValid(); ++pti) {
             const auto cost_tracker = warpx::load_balance::CostTracker(lev, pti.index());
             doBackgroundCollisionsWithinTile(pti, cur_time);
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
 
         // secondly perform ionization through the SmartCopyFactory if needed
         if (ionization_flag) {
-            doBackgroundIonization(lev, cost, species1, species2, cur_time);
+            doBackgroundIonization(lev, species1, species2, cur_time);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -456,8 +455,7 @@ void BackgroundMCCCollision::doBackgroundCollisionsWithinTile
 
 
 void BackgroundMCCCollision::doBackgroundIonization
-( int lev, amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost,
-  WarpXParticleContainer& species1, WarpXParticleContainer& species2, amrex::Real t)
+( int lev, WarpXParticleContainer& species1, WarpXParticleContainer& species2, amrex::Real t)
 {
     WARPX_PROFILE("BackgroundMCCCollision::doBackgroundIonization()");
 
@@ -499,5 +497,7 @@ void BackgroundMCCCollision::doBackgroundIonization
 
         setNewParticleIDs(elec_tile, np_elec, num_added);
         setNewParticleIDs(ion_tile, np_ion, num_added);
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 }
diff --git a/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundStopping/BackgroundStopping.cpp b/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundStopping/BackgroundStopping.cpp
index bf2cfceb1c3..577a494a3b6 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundStopping/BackgroundStopping.cpp
+++ b/Source/Particles/Collision/BackgroundStopping/BackgroundStopping.cpp
@@ -105,8 +105,6 @@ BackgroundStopping::doCollisions (amrex::Real cur_time, amrex::Real dt, MultiPar
     auto const flvl = species.finestLevel();
     for (int lev = 0; lev <= flvl; ++lev) {
 
-        auto *cost = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-
         // loop over particles box by box
 #ifdef _OPENMP
 #pragma omp parallel if (amrex::Gpu::notInLaunchRegion())
@@ -119,6 +117,8 @@ BackgroundStopping::doCollisions (amrex::Real cur_time, amrex::Real dt, MultiPar
             } else if (background_type == BackgroundStoppingType::IONS) {
                 doBackgroundStoppingOnIonsWithinTile(pti, dt, cur_time, species_mass, species_charge);
             }
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
 
     }
diff --git a/Source/Particles/Collision/BinaryCollision/BinaryCollision.H b/Source/Particles/Collision/BinaryCollision/BinaryCollision.H
index 0c9287216df..afcc54c7cce 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/Collision/BinaryCollision/BinaryCollision.H
+++ b/Source/Particles/Collision/BinaryCollision/BinaryCollision.H
@@ -195,6 +195,8 @@ public:
 
                 doCollisionsWithinTile( dt, lev, mfi, species1, species2, product_species_vector,
                                         copy_species1_data, copy_species2_data);
+
+                cost_tracker.add();
             }
 
             if (m_have_product_species) {
diff --git a/Source/Particles/LaserParticleContainer.cpp b/Source/Particles/LaserParticleContainer.cpp
index 55756292e9f..c8ea4714af5 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/LaserParticleContainer.cpp
+++ b/Source/Particles/LaserParticleContainer.cpp
@@ -685,6 +685,8 @@ LaserParticleContainer::Evolve (int lev,
 
             // This is necessary because of plane_Xp, plane_Yp and amplitude_E
             amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Source/Particles/MultiParticleContainer.cpp b/Source/Particles/MultiParticleContainer.cpp
index 5fe705463de..fc705a7958d 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/MultiParticleContainer.cpp
+++ b/Source/Particles/MultiParticleContainer.cpp
@@ -911,6 +911,8 @@ MultiParticleContainer::doFieldIonization (int lev,
                                                                    Filter, Copy, Transform);
 
             setNewParticleIDs(dst_tile, np_dst, num_added);
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1543,6 +1545,8 @@ void MultiParticleContainer::doQedBreitWheeler (int lev,
 
             setNewParticleIDs(dst_ele_tile, np_dst_ele, num_added);
             setNewParticleIDs(dst_pos_tile, np_dst_pos, num_added);
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1611,6 +1615,8 @@ void MultiParticleContainer::doQedQuantumSync (int lev,
             cleanLowEnergyPhotons(
                                   dst_tile, np_dst, num_added,
                                   m_quantum_sync_photon_creation_energy_threshold);
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Source/Particles/PhysicalParticleContainer.cpp b/Source/Particles/PhysicalParticleContainer.cpp
index f6b4bea09a5..46bf128ec97 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/PhysicalParticleContainer.cpp
+++ b/Source/Particles/PhysicalParticleContainer.cpp
@@ -1468,6 +1468,8 @@ PhysicalParticleContainer::AddPlasma (PlasmaInjector const& plasma_injector, int
         });
 
         amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
+
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
     // Remove particles that are inside the embedded boundaries
@@ -1514,8 +1516,6 @@ PhysicalParticleContainer::AddPlasmaFlux (PlasmaInjector const& plasma_injector,
     if (plasma_injector.flux_normal_axis == 2) { scale_fac /= dx[0]; }
 #endif
 
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* cost = WarpX::getCosts(0);
-
     // Create temporary particle container to which particles will be added;
     // we will then call Redistribute on this new container and finally
     // add the new particles to the original container.
@@ -1956,6 +1956,7 @@ PhysicalParticleContainer::AddPlasmaFlux (PlasmaInjector const& plasma_injector,
 
         amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
 
+        cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
     // Remove particles that are inside the embedded boundaries
@@ -2226,6 +2227,8 @@ PhysicalParticleContainer::Evolve (int lev,
             }
 
             amrex::Gpu::synchronize();
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
     // Split particles at the end of the timestep.
diff --git a/Source/Particles/WarpXParticleContainer.cpp b/Source/Particles/WarpXParticleContainer.cpp
index 49993aadd24..3e43396d49f 100644
--- a/Source/Particles/WarpXParticleContainer.cpp
+++ b/Source/Particles/WarpXParticleContainer.cpp
@@ -1464,8 +1464,6 @@ WarpXParticleContainer::PushX (int lev, amrex::Real dt)
 
     if (do_not_push) { return; }
 
-    amrex::LayoutData<amrex::Real>* costs = WarpX::getCosts(lev);
-
 #ifdef AMREX_USE_OMP
 #pragma omp parallel if (amrex::Gpu::notInLaunchRegion())
 #endif
@@ -1497,6 +1495,8 @@ WarpXParticleContainer::PushX (int lev, amrex::Real dt)
                                     SetPosition(i, x, y, z);
                 }
             );
+
+            cost_tracker.add();
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Source/Utils/WarpXMovingWindow.cpp b/Source/Utils/WarpXMovingWindow.cpp
index a3a7dc8c1a1..7af284fa166 100644
--- a/Source/Utils/WarpXMovingWindow.cpp
+++ b/Source/Utils/WarpXMovingWindow.cpp
@@ -584,6 +584,9 @@ WarpX::shiftMF (amrex::MultiFab& mf, const amrex::Geometry& geom,
         {
             dstfab(i,j,k,n) = srcfab(i+shift.x,j+shift.y,k+shift.z,n);
         })
+
+        if (update_cost_flag)
+            cost_tracker.add();
     }
 
 #if (defined WARPX_DIM_RZ) && (defined WARPX_USE_FFT)
diff --git a/Source/WarpX.H b/Source/WarpX.H
index f12874b22cb..3372dd869cc 100644
--- a/Source/WarpX.H
+++ b/Source/WarpX.H
@@ -183,6 +183,10 @@ public:
     static int max_particle_its_in_implicit_scheme;
     //! Relative tolerance used for self-consistent particle update in implicit particle-suppressed evolve schemes
     static amrex::ParticleReal particle_tol_in_implicit_scheme;
+    /** Records a number corresponding to the load balance cost update strategy
+     *  being used (0 or 1 corresponding to timers or heuristic).
+     */
+    static short load_balance_costs_update_algo;
     //! Integer that corresponds to electromagnetic Maxwell solver (vacuum - 0, macroscopic - 1)
     static int em_solver_medium;
     /** Integer that correspond to macroscopic Maxwell solver algorithm