Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Cape Canaveral, FL

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,508 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent and utilities included – about $4,800 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Cape Canaveral, FL outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Cape Canaveral, FL, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Cape Canaveral, FL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,508
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Cape Canaveral, FL

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 Cape Canaveral, FL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $2,508 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Cape Canaveral, FL $2,508

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $3,547 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Cape Canaveral, FL $3,547

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $4,585 in Cape Canaveral, FL, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Cape Canaveral, FL $4,585

San Jose is about 16% cheaper than Cape Canaveral, FL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both San Jose and Cape Canaveral, FL sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Cape Canaveral, FL by 86%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$12.86 $12.86
-3.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$62.1 $62.1
0.40%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$8.96 $8.96
30.69%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$4.94 $4.94
-8.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.02 $2.02
36.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$0.98 $0.98
89.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$4.93 $4.93
-32.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$6.07 $6.07
-28.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.90 $0.90
162.22%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$3.92 $3.92
-21.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$5.02 $5.02
-50.00%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$2.14 $2.14
64.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$13.91 $13.91
-24.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$8.57 $8.57
23.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$13.02 $13.02
6.91%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$5.25 $5.25
-0.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.72 $1.72
-4.07%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$3.39 $3.39
44.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$3.80 $3.80
1.05%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.56 $2.56
52.73%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$2.25 $2.25
67.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.36 $2.36
-52.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.33 $2.33
38.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$5.10 $5.10
18.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$14.74 $14.74
34.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.57 $2.57
9.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$5.53 $5.53
-34.00%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$1.94 $1.94
-44.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$60.2 $60.2
8.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$2.96 $2.96
-23.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.80 $1.80
-1.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$24.12 $24.12
-67.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.03 $1.03
45.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$31.9K $31.9K
5.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$23.9K $23.9K
76.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$206 $206
-54.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$72.8 $72.8
-50.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$79.5 $79.5
-23.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$44.74 $44.74
54.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$10.01 $10.01
-23.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,454 $1,454
-33.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$26.5K $26.5K
-28.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$55.8 $55.8
26.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$30.45 $30.45
86.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$88.5 $88.5
45.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$123 $123
6.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,479 $1,479
-20.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,260 $1,260
-25.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,519 $2,519
-21.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,942 $1,942
-27.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$2,845 $2,845
-5.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$2,544 $2,544
-19.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Cape Canaveral, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$3,851 $3,851
-74.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6
43.67%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Cape Canaveral, FL: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Cape Canaveral, FL
$1.3K 33.6% $317
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Cape Canaveral, FL
$373 7.5% $30
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Cape Canaveral, FL
$238 2.4% $5.5
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Cape Canaveral, FL
$359 88.8% $169
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Cape Canaveral, FL
$134 22.9% $40
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Cape Canaveral, FL
$65 23.2% $20
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Cape Canaveral, FL
$80 0.9% $0.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $1,479 in Cape Canaveral, FL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Cape Canaveral, FL are about 3.9 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $62 in Cape Canaveral, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $403 in San Jose vs $373 in Cape Canaveral, FL – so Cape Canaveral, FL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Cape Canaveral, FL
🕒 Local time
17:18 5:18 PM
18:18 6:18 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
9,912
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 Cape Canaveral, FL 2,090 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Cape Canaveral, FL

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 Cape Canaveral, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Cape Canaveral, FL?
Cape Canaveral, FL costs about 19% more than San Jose, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. 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 Cape Canaveral, FL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $3,763 in Cape Canaveral, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, San Jose or Cape Canaveral, FL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Jose, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,170 there versus $1,479 in Cape Canaveral, FL.
How much does it cost to live in San Jose compared to Cape Canaveral, FL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,107 in San Jose and $2,508 in Cape Canaveral, FL. That makes San Jose about 16% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in San Jose and in Cape Canaveral, FL?
Kindergarten costs $972 per month in San Jose and $1,454 in Cape Canaveral, FL. 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 Cape Canaveral, FL?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $2,107, than in Cape Canaveral, FL at $2,508. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cape Canaveral, FL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
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.
Should I move to San Jose or to Cape Canaveral, FL?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cape Canaveral, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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