Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Cambridge, OH

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,622 in Cambridge, OH, rent and utilities included – about $6,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Cambridge, OH, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Cambridge, OH
🇺🇸 United States
$2,622
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Cambridge, OH

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 Cambridge, OH actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $2,622 in Cambridge, OH, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Cambridge, OH $2,622

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $3,832 in Cambridge, OH, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Cambridge, OH $3,832

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $5,043 in Cambridge, OH, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Cambridge, OH $5,043

San Jose is about 20% cheaper than Cambridge, OH, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both San Jose and Cambridge, OH sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Cambridge, OH by 94%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$14.53 $14.53
-14.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$70.8 $70.8
-11.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.05 $10.05
16.52%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$4.23 $4.23
7.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.49 $2.49
10.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.87 $1.87
-0.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$10.20 $10.20
-67.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$12.19 $12.19
-64.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.75 $0.75
214.67%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$2.77 $2.77
10.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$3.84 $3.84
-34.64%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.74 $3.74
-5.61%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$13.80 $13.80
-23.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$24.72 $24.72
-57.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$16.73 $16.73
-16.80%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$5.68 $5.68
-8.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.94 $1.94
-14.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$6.89 $6.89
-29.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$5.43 $5.43
-29.28%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.67 $2.67
46.44%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$3.13 $3.13
20.13%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.30 $2.30
-51.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.73 $2.73
17.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$10.23 $10.23
-41.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$19.85 $19.85
-0.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$1.69 $1.69
66.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$6.14 $6.14
-40.55%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$1.73 $1.73
-37.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$52.9 $52.9
23.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.37 $3.37
-32.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.99 $1.99
-10.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$32.34 $32.34
-75.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.12 $1.12
33.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$27.2K $27.2K
23.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$26.1K $26.1K
62.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$200 $200
-53.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$51.0 $51.0
-29.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$58.5 $58.5
3.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$35.84 $35.84
92.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$14.45 $14.45
-46.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$536 $536
81.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$11.1K $11.1K
69.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$40.54 $40.54
74.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$47.90 $47.90
18.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$71.0 $71.0
81.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$120 $120
8.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,644 $1,644
-28.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,266 $1,266
-25.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,562 $2,562
-22.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$2,071 $2,071
-32.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$2,887 $2,887
-7.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$2,496 $2,496
-18.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Cambridge, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.74
27.89%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Cambridge, OH: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Cambridge, OH
$1.3K 34.3% $323
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Cambridge, OH
$492 22.2% $89
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Cambridge, OH
$290 24.8% $58
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Cambridge, OH
$310 63% $120
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Cambridge, OH
$126 27.7% $48
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Cambridge, OH
$65 23.2% $20
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Cambridge, OH
$73 9.3% $7.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $1,644 in Cambridge, OH. 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 $71 in Cambridge, OH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $492 – making San Jose the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Cambridge, OH
🕒 Local time
13:31 1:31 PM
14:31 2:31 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
105,162
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 = 502 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.99 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.895 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Cambridge, OH 3,360 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Cambridge, OH

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 Cambridge, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Cambridge, OH?
Cambridge, OH costs about 24% more than San Jose, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 San Jose and in Cambridge, OH?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $3,932 in Cambridge, OH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, San Jose or Cambridge, OH?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Jose, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,170 there versus $1,644 in Cambridge, OH.
How expensive is transport in San Jose compared to Cambridge, OH?
Public transport costs about 19% less in Cambridge, OH. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in San Jose and in Cambridge, OH?
Kindergarten costs $972 per month in San Jose and $536 in Cambridge, OH. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,500/month in San Jose or in Cambridge, OH?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $2,107, than in Cambridge, OH at $2,622. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cambridge, OH it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: San Jose or Cambridge, OH?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,107 in San Jose to $2,622 in Cambridge, OH. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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