Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cleveland, MS and San Jose

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,924 a month against $2,680 in Cleveland, MS, rent and utilities included – about $9,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Cleveland, MS outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Cleveland, MS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,680
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,924
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cleveland, MS and in San Jose

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cleveland, MS and in San Jose actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,680 in Cleveland, MS versus $1,924 in San Jose.

  • Cleveland, MS $2,680
  • San Jose $1,924

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,896 in Cleveland, MS versus $2,926 in San Jose.

  • Cleveland, MS $3,896
  • San Jose $2,926

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,113 in Cleveland, MS versus $3,929 in San Jose.

  • Cleveland, MS $5,113
  • San Jose $3,929

Living in Cleveland, MS is roughly 39% more expensive than in San Jose, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Cleveland, MS 98% above, San Jose 42% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.81 $16.81
$12.29 ₡5,513
36.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.5 $73.5
$62.3 ₡27.9K
18.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.08 $11.08
$11.53 ₡5,171
-3.90%
Cappuccino
$5.26 $5.26
$4.35 ₡1,953
20.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 $2.93
$2.64 ₡1,183
10.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.86 ₡836
26.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.49 $5.49
$3.32 ₡1,490
65.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.69 $6.69
$4.52 ₡2,026
48.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$2.39 ₡1,073
-54.39%
White Bread (500g)
$2.67 $2.67
$3.08 ₡1,381
-13.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.50 ₡1,119
9.60%
Eggs
$3.39 $3.39
$3.48 ₡1,562
-2.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.34 $10.34
$10.74 ₡4,815
-3.72%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.76 $11.76
$10.32 ₡4,629
13.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.00 $23.00
$14.10 ₡6,325
63.12%
Apples (1kg)
$5.13 $5.13
$5.03 ₡2,256
1.99%
Banana (1kg)
$1.41 $1.41
$1.59 ₡714
-11.32%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.29 $4.29
$4.84 ₡2,171
-11.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.75 $3.75
$3.96 ₡1,776
-5.30%
Potato (1kg)
$2.86 $2.86
$3.76 ₡1,684
-23.94%
Onion (1kg)
$2.46 $2.46
$3.73 ₡1,674
-34.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.08 ₡485
86.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$3.25 ₡1,456
-40.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.58 $9.58
$5.86 ₡2,627
63.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.54 $13.54
$20.28 ₡9,095
-33.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80 $1.80
$2.90 ₡1,300
-37.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 $1.68
$3.73 ₡1,673
-54.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.08 ₡486
98.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$65.5 ₡29.4K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.56 $2.56
$2.50 ₡1,123
2.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.63 ₡732
-6.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.58 $23.58
$8.71 ₡3,904
170.72%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.58 ₡709
-41.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$33.6K ₡15.1M
-17.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$41.7K ₡18.7M
-36.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$93.7 ₡42.0K
136.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.6 $60.6
$35.42 ₡15.9K
71.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.4 $68.4
$60.0 ₡26.9K
14.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.22 $46.22
$72.6 ₡32.6K
-36.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$25.83 ₡11.6K
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.08 $13.08
$7.74 ₡3,471
68.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,032 $1,032
$1,005 ₡450.9K
2.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.3K $19.3K
$16.9K ₡7.6M
14.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4 $50.4
$73.1 ₡32.8K
-31.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.07 $38.07
$55.4 ₡24.9K
-31.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.8 $83.8
$128 ₡57.5K
-34.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152 $152
$130 ₡58.5K
16.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,510 $1,510
$932 ₡418.0K
62.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,424 $1,424
$760 ₡340.8K
87.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,218 $2,218
$1,922 ₡862.0K
15.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,364 $2,364
$1,276 ₡572.1K
85.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,571 $2,571
$2,301 ₡1.0M
11.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,707 $2,707
$1,833 ₡821.9K
47.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cleveland, MS
San Jose
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$1,029 ₡461.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.75
8.62
-21.69%

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

Last update for Cleveland, MS: October 20, 2026

Last update for San Jose: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cleveland, MS
$1.4K
San Jose
$760 46.6% $664
Groceries & Markets
Cleveland, MS
$375
San Jose
$403 7.5% $28
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cleveland, MS
$351
San Jose
$189 46.1% $161
Eating Out
Cleveland, MS
$293
San Jose
$229 21.8% $64
Clothing & Footwear
Cleveland, MS
$146
San Jose
$174 19.3% $28
Sport & Entertainment
Cleveland, MS
$72
San Jose
$88 21.7% $16
Getting Around
Cleveland, MS
$19 *
San Jose
$80 330% $62

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,510 in Cleveland, MS and $932 in San Jose. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $74.0 in Cleveland, MS vs $62.0 in San Jose. Groceries flip the comparison at $375 vs $403, with Cleveland, MS cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Cleveland, MS
🇨🇷 San Jose
🕒 Local time
09:47 9:47 AM
08:47 8:47 AM
1 h behind Cleveland, MS
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
367,991
342,188 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cleveland, MS San Jose 2,730 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cleveland, MS
  • San Jose

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cleveland, MS vs San Jose: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose cheaper than Cleveland, MS?
San Jose is cheaper overall, especially in eating out and utilities. The 39% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $4,019 in Cleveland, MS and $2,886 in San Jose to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Cleveland, MS and San Jose?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,510 in Cleveland, MS versus $932 in San Jose. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Cleveland, MS and in San Jose?
Shoppers in Cleveland, MS pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Cleveland, MS and in San Jose?
All in, you'll spend $2,680 per month in Cleveland, MS versus $1,924 in San Jose – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Cleveland, MS or in San Jose?
At $1,924 in San Jose versus $2,680 in Cleveland, MS, a $2,500 budget is realistic in San Jose but tight or insufficient in Cleveland, MS. The gap between the two cities makes San Jose the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cleveland, MS or San Jose more family-friendly?
For families, San Jose is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cleveland, MS, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cleveland, MS or San Jose?
Safety-wise, Cleveland, MS and San Jose are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find San Jose gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Cleveland, MS. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Cleveland, MS vs other spots: cost of living compared

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