Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Longview, WA and San Jose

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,938 a month against $2,508 in Longview, WA, rent and utilities included – about $6,800 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Longview, WA outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Longview, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,508
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Longview, WA 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 Longview, WA and in San Jose actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,508 per month in Longview, WA vs $1,938 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Longview, WA $2,508
  • San Jose $1,938

A couple spends around $3,511 per month in Longview, WA vs $2,936 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Longview, WA $3,511
  • San Jose $2,936

A family of three spends $4,513 per month in Longview, WA vs $3,934 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Longview, WA $4,513
  • San Jose $3,934

Longview, WA costs about 29% more than San Jose, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Longview, WA and San Jose sit above the global median – Longview, WA by 86%, San Jose by 44%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.81 $21.81
$12.38 ₡5,551
76.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.5 $50.5
$60.9 ₡27.3K
-16.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.00 $11.00
$11.45 ₡5,135
-3.93%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$4.39 ₡1,967
27.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83 $2.83
$2.70 ₡1,211
4.81%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$1.93 ₡864
-12.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.58 $6.58
$3.20 ₡1,433
105.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.87 $6.87
$4.41 ₡1,979
55.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 $1.07
$2.44 ₡1,093
-56.15%
White Bread (500g)
$3.35 $3.35
$3.05 ₡1,369
9.84%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.41 ₡1,081
29.05%
Eggs
$5.07 $5.07
$3.40 ₡1,523
49.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.03 $11.03
$10.75 ₡4,823
2.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.87 $7.87
$10.43 ₡4,679
-24.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.31 $15.31
$13.99 ₡6,273
9.44%
Apples (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$5.25 ₡2,353
-23.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.59 ₡712
2.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.44 $3.44
$4.69 ₡2,103
-26.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.08 $3.08
$3.95 ₡1,770
-22.03%
Potato (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.92 ₡1,760
-30.10%
Onion (1kg)
$2.50 $2.50
$3.68 ₡1,651
-32.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.12 ₡503
32.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 $1.14
$3.19 ₡1,429
-64.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.11 $9.11
$6.00 ₡2,692
51.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.99 $8.99
$19.56 ₡8,771
-54.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.82 ₡1,263
-23.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$3.59 ₡1,611
-45.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.12 ₡503
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$66.8 ₡30.0K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.05 $5.05
$2.50 ₡1,119
102.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.69 $2.69
$1.63 ₡733
65.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$52.1 $52.1
$8.50 ₡3,812
513.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 $1.25
$1.56 ₡701
-19.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.5K $36.5K
$22.4K ₡10.0M
62.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K $24.0K
$35.6K ₡16.0M
-32.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 $155
$95.2 ₡42.7K
62.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.3 $69.3
$35.58 ₡16.0K
94.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77.1 $77.1
$58.6 ₡26.3K
31.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.1 $50.1
$72.7 ₡32.6K
-31.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$24.85 ₡11.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.18 $12.18
$7.58 ₡3,401
60.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$793 $793
$1,001 ₡449.0K
-20.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$17.1K ₡7.7M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.19 $44.19
$70.5 ₡31.6K
-37.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.72 $41.72
$55.8 ₡25.0K
-25.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.7 $72.7
$130 ₡58.2K
-43.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.7 $81.7
$131 ₡58.7K
-37.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
$927 ₡415.8K
41.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,346 $1,346
$774 ₡347.2K
73.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,030 $2,030
$1,967 ₡882.0K
3.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,027 $2,027
$1,288 ₡577.6K
57.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,078 $3,078
$2,274 ₡1.0M
35.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,947 $2,947
$1,831 ₡821.0K
60.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Longview, WA
San Jose
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,589 $4,589
$1,016 ₡455.8K
351.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.47
8.62
-24.94%

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

Last update for Longview, WA: October 10, 2026

Last update for San Jose: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Longview, WA
$1.3K
San Jose
$774 42.5% $571
Eating Out
Longview, WA
$340
San Jose
$229 32.5% $110
Groceries & Markets
Longview, WA
$320
San Jose
$401 25.3% $81
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Longview, WA
$302
San Jose
$189 37.2% $112
Clothing & Footwear
Longview, WA
$108
San Jose
$174 61% $66
Sport & Entertainment
Longview, WA
$74
San Jose
$88 18% $13
Getting Around
Longview, WA
$18 *
San Jose
$82 343% $63

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,316 in Longview, WA versus $927 in San Jose. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 352% higher in Longview, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Longview, WA versus $61.0 in San Jose. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $320 vs $401 – making Longview, WA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Longview, WA
🇨🇷 San Jose
🕒 Local time
00:54 12:54 AM
01:54 1:54 AM
1 h ahead of Longview, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
81,638
342,188 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 19, 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
  • Longview, WA San Jose 5,450 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Longview, WA
  • 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
Longview, WA vs San Jose: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Longview, WA or San Jose?
Longview, WA costs about 29% more than San Jose, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Longview, WA and in San Jose?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,762 per month in Longview, WA and $2,907 in San Jose. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Longview, WA or San Jose?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Jose, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Longview, WA and in San Jose?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Longview, WA and $61.0 in San Jose. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Longview, WA or in San Jose?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Longview, WA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Longview, WA or in San Jose?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $1,938, than in Longview, WA at $2,508. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Longview, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Longview, WA or San Jose?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. San Jose costs $1,938 versus $2,508 in Longview, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Longview, WA or to San Jose?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Longview, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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