Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Bonney Lake, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,949 a month against $2,663 in Bonney Lake, WA, rent and utilities included – about $8,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,949
/mo nomad
Bonney Lake, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Bonney Lake, WA

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 Bonney Lake, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,949 per month in San Jose vs $2,663 in Bonney Lake, WA, rent included.

  • San Jose $1,949
  • Bonney Lake, WA $2,663

A couple spends around $2,903 per month in San Jose vs $3,872 in Bonney Lake, WA, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,903
  • Bonney Lake, WA $3,872

A family of three spends $3,857 per month in San Jose vs $5,080 in Bonney Lake, WA, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,857
  • Bonney Lake, WA $5,080

San Jose is about 27% cheaper than Bonney Lake, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both San Jose and Bonney Lake, WA sit above the global median – San Jose by 45%, Bonney Lake, WA by 99%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,510
$25.17 $25.17
-51.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.1 ₡27.1K
$68.1 $68.1
-11.73%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.77 ₡5,305
$12.08 $12.08
-2.57%
Cappuccino
$4.30 ₡1,939
$5.76 $5.76
-25.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 ₡1,226
$2.81 $2.81
-3.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 ₡830
$1.67 $1.67
10.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.28 ₡1,480
$6.93 $6.93
-52.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36 ₡1,966
$6.85 $6.85
-36.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.38 ₡1,074
$1.08 $1.08
120.37%
White Bread (500g)
$3.12 ₡1,408
$4.04 $4.04
-22.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.41 ₡1,086
$3.06 $3.06
-21.24%
Eggs
$3.47 ₡1,564
$5.09 $5.09
-31.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,767
$16.20 $16.20
-34.75%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.56 ₡4,758
$10.48 $10.48
0.76%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.75 ₡6,196
$16.51 $16.51
-16.72%
Apples (1kg)
$5.04 ₡2,274
$4.92 $4.92
2.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡727
$1.64 $1.64
-1.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 ₡2,069
$3.93 $3.93
16.79%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,731
$4.47 $4.47
-14.09%
Potato (1kg)
$3.77 ₡1,700
$2.69 $2.69
40.15%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,693
$2.43 $2.43
54.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡506
$1.76 $1.76
-36.36%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.20 ₡1,441
$2.28 $2.28
40.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.84 ₡2,632
$12.03 $12.03
-51.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.73 ₡8,897
$14.90 $14.90
32.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,240
$1.76 $1.76
56.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ₡1,650
$2.44 $2.44
50.00%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.12 ₡503
$2.02 $2.02
-44.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 ₡29.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.46 ₡1,110
$2.55 $2.55
-3.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.54 ₡692
$1.69 $1.69
-8.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.46 ₡3,815
$30.53 $30.53
-72.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡699
$1.33 $1.33
16.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K ₡9.8M
$35.6K $35.6K
-39.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9K ₡15.7M
$25.7K $25.7K
35.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.7 ₡42.7K
$229 $229
-58.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$91.0 $91.0
-61.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.6 ₡26.4K
$88.4 $88.4
-33.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.2 ₡32.5K
$26.76 $26.76
169.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.19 ₡11.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.83 ₡3,532
$16.81 $16.81
-53.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$971 ₡437.9K
$1,442 $1,442
-32.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.0K ₡7.7M
$32.6K $32.6K
-47.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.6 ₡32.3K
$60.0 $60.0
19.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.9 ₡24.7K
$45.10 $45.10
21.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡58.2K
$85.2 $85.2
51.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 ₡60.0K
$104 $104
28.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$934 ₡420.9K
$1,590 $1,590
-41.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$770 ₡347.2K
$1,298 $1,298
-40.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,945 ₡876.7K
$2,545 $2,545
-23.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 ₡593.5K
$2,123 $2,123
-37.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,277 ₡1.0M
$2,780 $2,780
-18.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,795 ₡809.1K
$2,357 $2,357
-23.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Bonney Lake, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,006 ₡453.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.09
41.54%

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

Last update for San Jose: October 3, 2026

Last update for Bonney Lake, WA: October 4, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$770
Bonney Lake, WA
$1.3K 68.5% $528
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$399
Bonney Lake, WA
$398 0.3% $1.3
Eating Out
San Jose
$228
Bonney Lake, WA
$373 63.5% $145
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$188
Bonney Lake, WA
$409 117% $220
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$175
Bonney Lake, WA
$132 24.4% $43
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Bonney Lake, WA
$60 31.3% $27
Getting Around
San Jose
$80
Bonney Lake, WA
$19 * 76.1% $61

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $934 in San Jose versus $1,590 in Bonney Lake, WA. 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 $60.0 in San Jose versus $68.0 in Bonney Lake, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $399 in San Jose vs $398 in Bonney Lake, WA – so Bonney Lake, WA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Bonney Lake, WA
🕒 Local time
08:47 8:47 AM
07:47 7:47 AM
1 h behind San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
22,487
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Bonney Lake, WA 5,470 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Bonney Lake, WA

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 Bonney Lake, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bonney Lake, WA cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – Bonney Lake, WA is pricier by about 37%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,924 per month in San Jose and $3,995 in Bonney Lake, WA. 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in San Jose and in Bonney Lake, WA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,949 in San Jose and $2,663 in Bonney Lake, WA. That's a gap of about 37%.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $971 per month in San Jose and $1,442 in Bonney Lake, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in San Jose or in Bonney Lake, WA?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $1,949, than in Bonney Lake, WA at $2,663. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bonney Lake, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is San Jose or Bonney Lake, WA more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward San Jose – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bonney Lake, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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