Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Abingdon, VA

For one person, living is cheaper in Abingdon, VA: $1,795 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $3,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Abingdon, VA, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Abingdon, VA
🇺🇸 United States
$1,795
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Abingdon, VA

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

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $1,795 in Abingdon, VA, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Abingdon, VA $1,795

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,842 in Abingdon, VA, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Abingdon, VA $2,842

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $3,889 in Abingdon, VA, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Abingdon, VA $3,889

San Jose costs about 17% more than Abingdon, VA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both San Jose and Abingdon, VA sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Abingdon, VA by 33%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$22.70 $22.70
-45.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$74.7 $74.7
-16.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.02 $10.02
16.87%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.31 $5.31
-14.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$1.79 $1.79
53.63%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$2.02 $2.02
-7.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$4.95 $4.95
-32.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$5.84 $5.84
-26.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$1.12 $1.12
110.71%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$3.68 $3.68
-16.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$8.15 $8.15
-69.20%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.74 $3.74
-5.61%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$18.28 $18.28
-42.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$13.67 $13.67
-22.68%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$18.34 $18.34
-24.10%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$7.81 $7.81
-33.42%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.47 $1.47
12.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$6.04 $6.04
-19.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.95 $4.95
-22.42%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$3.25 $3.25
20.31%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$2.95 $2.95
27.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$1.99 $1.99
-43.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$3.46 $3.46
-6.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$7.80 $7.80
-22.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$13.76 $13.76
44.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$1.61 $1.61
74.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$4.02 $4.02
-9.20%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.53 $3.53
-35.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.33 $1.33
33.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$14.98 $14.98
-47.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$0.91 $0.91
64.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$30.5K $30.5K
9.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$26.1K $26.1K
61.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$173 $173
-46.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$35.49 $35.49
1.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$62.9 $62.9
-3.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$11.93 $11.93
-35.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,325 $1,325
-26.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$25.5K $25.5K
-26.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$34.34 $34.34
105.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$29.66 $29.66
91.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$64.1 $64.1
100.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$79.6 $79.6
64.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$741 $741
57.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$590 $590
59.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,343 $1,343
47.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,166 $1,166
20.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Abingdon, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.13
40.62%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Abingdon, VA: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Abingdon, VA
$590 37.4% $353
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Abingdon, VA
$479 19% $77
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Abingdon, VA
$327 40.7% $95
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Abingdon, VA
$271 42.9% $82
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Abingdon, VA
$93 46.3% $81
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Abingdon, VA
$24 * 71.7% $60
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Abingdon, VA
$10 * 87.4% $71

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $741 in Abingdon, VA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $75 in Abingdon, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $479 – making San Jose the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Abingdon, VA
🕒 Local time
01:13 1:13 AM
02:13 2:13 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
8,000
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 450 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Abingdon, VA 2,990 km ≈ 4 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Abingdon, VA

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
San Jose vs Abingdon, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in San Jose and in Abingdon, VA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,107 in San Jose, $1,795 in Abingdon, VA – Abingdon, VA comes out roughly 15% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in clothing.
What salary covers living expenses in San Jose compared to Abingdon, VA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $2,693 in Abingdon, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between San Jose and Abingdon, VA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abingdon, VA, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $741 there versus $1,170 in San Jose.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose and $75 in Abingdon, VA. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in San Jose – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
How far does $3,000 go in San Jose compared to Abingdon, VA?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $2,107 in San Jose and $1,795 in Abingdon, VA, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between San Jose and Abingdon, VA?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,795 in Abingdon, VA to $2,107 in San Jose. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

San Jose vs other spots: cost of living compared

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