Last update: Nov 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Canada
For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,320 in Canada, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Canada outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.
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San Jose Living Index101Cost of Living Index in San JoseLearn more -
Canada Living Index111Cost of Living Index in CanadaLearn more
😐 Solo nomad: San Jose is 3.8% more expensive than Canada without rent, and 9.2% cheaper with rent.
😐 Family of 3: San Jose is 1.6% more expensive than Canada without rent, and 7.7% cheaper with rent.
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$17.57 CA$24.63
-29.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$71.0 CA$99.5
-12.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.84 CA$15.19
8.03%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$3.72 CA$5.22
22.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.16 CA$3.03
27.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.74 CA$2.44
6.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$5.71 CA$8.00
-41.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$5.56 CA$7.79
-22.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$2.20 CA$3.08
7.27%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$2.57 CA$3.61
19.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$3.50 CA$4.90
-28.29%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.46 CA$4.85
2.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$10.68 CA$14.97
-1.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$11.86 CA$16.63
-10.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$15.22 CA$21.33
-8.54%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$4.14 CA$5.80
25.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.41 CA$1.98
17.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$3.78 CA$5.30
29.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.02 CA$5.63
-4.48%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.73 CA$3.82
43.22%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$2.55 CA$3.57
47.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.67 CA$3.74
-58.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$1.79 CA$2.51
79.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$14.53 CA$20.37
-58.57%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$13.55 CA$18.99
46.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.85 CA$3.99
-1.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$3.18 CA$4.45
14.78%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$2.57 CA$3.60
-57.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$74.1 CA$104
-11.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$2.99 CA$4.20
-24.41%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.63 CA$2.28
9.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$28.37 CA$39.77
-72.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.20 CA$1.69
25.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$27.9K CA$39.2K
19.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$20.9K CA$29.3K
102.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$148 CA$208
-37.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$42.35 CA$59.4
-14.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$59.4 CA$83.3
1.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$39.38 CA$55.2
75.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
$19.60 CA$27.47
27.24%
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$11.50 CA$16.12
-33.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$706 CA$990
37.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$16.9K CA$23.7K
11.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$55.0 CA$77.2
28.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$39.55 CA$55.4
43.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$86.5 CA$121
48.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$105 CA$147
24.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,323 CA$1,855
-11.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,140 CA$1,598
-17.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,095 CA$2,936
-5.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,723 CA$2,415
-18.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$4,739 CA$6,643
-43.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$3,705 CA$5,194
-45.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$3,037 CA$4,257
-67.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
4.88
76.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026
Last update for Canada: October 31, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose $943 44.8%
Canada $1.1K 49.1% 20.9% $197
Groceries & Markets
San Jose $403 19.1%
Canada $370 16% 8.1% $33
Eating Out
San Jose $232 11%
Canada $273 11.8% 17.5% $41
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose $190 9%
Canada $250 10.8% 31.7% $60
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose $174 8.3%
Canada $129 5.6% 26.1% $45
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose $84 4%
Canada $62 2.7% 26% $22
Getting Around
San Jose $81 3.8%
Canada $95 4.1% 18.3% $15
Accommodation & Living
San Jose $1.4K 34.5%
Canada $1.7K 39.2% 23.1% $323
Groceries & Markets
San Jose $911 22.5%
Canada $844 19.2% 7.3% $66
Eating Out
San Jose $774 19.1%
Canada $906 20.6% 17.1% $132
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose $226 5.6%
Canada $292 6.7% 29.4% $66
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose $387 9.5%
Canada $286 6.5% 26.1% $101
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose $193 4.8%
Canada $144 3.3% 25.4% $49
Getting Around
San Jose $164 4%
Canada $196 4.5% 19.9% $33
Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇨🇦 Canada
Weather
Population
342,188 Capital
36,991,981
Exchange rates and currency converter
On the map
Lowest
Highest
Between locations
- San Jose Canada 4,030 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
- San Jose
- Canada
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 other spots: cost of living compared
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,844
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Athens
🇬🇷 Greece
$1,779
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Lisbon
🇵🇹 Portugal
$2,206
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
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