Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Aurora, ON

For one person, living is cheaper in Aurora, ON: $993 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $13,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Aurora, ON, Canada
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Aurora, ON
🇨🇦 Canada
$993
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Aurora, ON

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 Aurora, ON actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $993 in Aurora, ON, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Aurora, ON $993

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,647 in Aurora, ON, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Aurora, ON $2,647

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $4,301 in Aurora, ON, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Aurora, ON $4,301

San Jose costs about 112% more than Aurora, ON, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

San Jose sits 56% above the global median, while Aurora, ON is 27% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$17.62 CA$24.70
-29.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$53.2 CA$74.6
17.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.59 CA$14.85
10.58%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$3.69 CA$5.18
23.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$1.78 CA$2.50
54.49%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.22 CA$1.71
52.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$4.91 CA$6.88
-31.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$5.86 CA$8.21
-26.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$2.38 CA$3.33
-0.84%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$2.17 CA$3.04
41.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$2.74 CA$3.83
-8.39%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.10 CA$4.35
13.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$4.38 CA$6.13
140.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$9.68 CA$13.57
9.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$6.98 CA$9.79
99.43%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$3.57 CA$5.01
45.66%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.29 CA$1.81
27.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$2.40 CA$3.37
103.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$3.31 CA$4.63
16.01%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.11 CA$2.96
85.31%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$1.94 CA$2.71
93.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.48 CA$3.48
-54.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$1.59 CA$2.23
102.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$13.04 CA$18.27
-53.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$12.76 CA$17.88
55.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.32 CA$3.26
21.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$2.41 CA$3.38
51.45%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Aurora, ON
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
$3.39 CA$4.75
-33.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.41 CA$1.98
26.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$18.76 CA$26.29
-57.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.19 CA$1.67
26.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$28.0K CA$39.3K
19.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$21.4K CA$30.0K
97.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$157 CA$220
-40.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$28.65 CA$40.17
26.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$53.7 CA$75.3
12.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$32.84 CA$46.04
109.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
$23.00 CA$32.24
8.43%
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$12.09 CA$16.94
-36.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$509 CA$714
90.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$21.2K CA$29.8K
-11.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$54.4 CA$76.2
29.84%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$43.06 CA$60.4
31.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$93.3 CA$131
37.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$112 CA$157
16.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,584 CA$2,220
-26.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,386 CA$3,345
-16.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$2,127 CA$2,981
-34.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$2,487 CA$3,487
7.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$4,000 CA$5,607
-49.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Aurora, ON
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$3,092 CA$4,335
-68.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
4.72
82.63%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Aurora, ON: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Aurora, ON
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Aurora, ON
$284 29.4% $119
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Aurora, ON
$265 14.2% $33
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Aurora, ON
$239 26.1% $50
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Aurora, ON
$136 21.6% $38
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Aurora, ON
$57 32.3% $27
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Aurora, ON
$10 * 87% $70

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 $1,584 in Aurora, ON. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Aurora, ON are about 3.1 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $53 in Aurora, ON. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $284 – making Aurora, ON the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇨🇦 Aurora, ON
🕒 Local time
06:30 6:30 AM
07:30 7:30 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
62,057
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, 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).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1.4 CAD (1 CAD = 0.713 USD). 1 EUR = 1.57 CAD (1 CAD = 0.635 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Aurora, ON 3,810 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Aurora, ON

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 Aurora, ON: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora, ON cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – San Jose is pricier by about 112%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $1,489 in Aurora, ON. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Jose, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,170 there versus $1,584 in Aurora, ON.
What are total monthly expenses in San Jose and in Aurora, ON?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,107 in San Jose and $993 in Aurora, ON. That makes Aurora, ON about 53% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $972 per month in San Jose and $509 in Aurora, ON. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is it better to live in San Jose or in Aurora, ON?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $993 in Aurora, ON 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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