Cost of Living in San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose has a cost of living index of 53/100 (New York = 100). It is 47% cheaper than New York. Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

53/100
Cost Index
$2,000/mo
Median Income
58/100
Safety Index
subtropical highland
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

HousingScore: 45/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$670/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$400/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$1,440/month
Food & GroceriesScore: 48/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.1/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.8/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$1.2/kg
Dining OutScore: 45/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$8/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$48/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$7.5/meal
TransportationScore: 42/100
Monthly Transit Pass$41/month
One-Way Ticket$0.75/trip
Taxi (1 km)$0.7/km
UtilitiesScore: 48/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$94/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$60/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$35/month
HealthcareScore: 65/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$60/visit
Dentist Visit$75/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$12/course
EntertainmentScore: 48/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$10/ticket
Theater Ticket$35/ticket
Museum Entry$12/ticket
FitnessScore: 48/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$40/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$18/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$6/entry
Personal CareScore: 48/100
Haircut (Men)$16/cut
Haircut (Women)$32/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$4.2/bottle
ClothingScore: 50/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$55/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$35/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$75/pair

Digital Nomad Profile

45 Mbps
Internet Speed
$150
Coworking/Month
good
Café WiFi
moderate
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
58/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Barrio Escalante, San Pedro, La Sabana

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose cheap to live in?

San Jose has a cost of living index of 53/100, where New York = 100. It is 47% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,060–$1,484 per month.

How much does rent cost in San Jose?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of San Jose costs approximately $670/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $400/month.

Is San Jose good for digital nomads?

San Jose has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 45 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $150/month. English proficiency is moderate.

What is the average salary in San Jose?

The median net monthly salary in San Jose is approximately $2,000 USD. The income tax rate is around 15%.

How does San Jose compare to New York for cost of living?

San Jose (cost index 53) is 47% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,175/month by moving from New York to San Jose.

Compare San Jose with another city

See exactly how San Jose stacks up against your current city or next destination.

Compare San Jose →Explore another city

Free to start · No credit card needed