Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Cleveland, MS

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,924 a month against $2,680 in Cleveland, MS, rent and utilities included – about $9,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Cleveland, MS outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,924
/mo nomad
Cleveland, MS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,680
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Cleveland, MS

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 Cleveland, MS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,924 in San Jose versus $2,680 in Cleveland, MS.

  • San Jose $1,924
  • Cleveland, MS $2,680

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,926 in San Jose versus $3,896 in Cleveland, MS.

  • San Jose $2,926
  • Cleveland, MS $3,896

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,929 in San Jose versus $5,113 in Cleveland, MS.

  • San Jose $3,929
  • Cleveland, MS $5,113

Living in San Jose costs roughly 28% less than in Cleveland, MS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: San Jose 42% above, Cleveland, MS 98% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.29 ₡5,513
$16.81 $16.81
-26.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.3 ₡27.9K
$73.5 $73.5
-15.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.53 ₡5,171
$11.08 $11.08
4.06%
Cappuccino
$4.35 ₡1,953
$5.26 $5.26
-17.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 ₡1,183
$2.93 $2.93
-9.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡836
$2.35 $2.35
-20.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 ₡1,490
$5.49 $5.49
-39.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 ₡2,026
$6.69 $6.69
-32.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.39 ₡1,073
$1.09 $1.09
119.27%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,381
$2.67 $2.67
15.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.50 ₡1,119
$2.74 $2.74
-8.76%
Eggs
$3.48 ₡1,562
$3.39 $3.39
2.65%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.74 ₡4,815
$10.34 $10.34
3.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.32 ₡4,629
$11.76 $11.76
-12.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,325
$23.00 $23.00
-38.70%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 ₡2,256
$5.13 $5.13
-1.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₡714
$1.41 $1.41
12.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.84 ₡2,171
$4.29 $4.29
12.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.96 ₡1,776
$3.75 $3.75
5.60%
Potato (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,684
$2.86 $2.86
31.47%
Onion (1kg)
$3.73 ₡1,674
$2.46 $2.46
51.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ₡485
$2.01 $2.01
-46.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.25 ₡1,456
$1.93 $1.93
68.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86 ₡2,627
$9.58 $9.58
-38.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.28 ₡9,095
$13.54 $13.54
49.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90 ₡1,300
$1.80 $1.80
61.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ₡1,673
$1.68 $1.68
122.02%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡486
$2.14 $2.14
-49.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.5 ₡29.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.50 ₡1,123
$2.56 $2.56
-2.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 ₡732
$1.52 $1.52
7.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.71 ₡3,904
$23.58 $23.58
-63.06%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 ₡709
$0.92 $0.92
71.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K ₡15.1M
$27.7K $27.7K
21.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.7K ₡18.7M
$26.7K $26.7K
56.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.7 ₡42.0K
$222 $222
-57.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.42 ₡15.9K
$60.6 $60.6
-41.57%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0 ₡26.9K
$68.4 $68.4
-12.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.6 ₡32.6K
$46.22 $46.22
57.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.83 ₡11.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.74 ₡3,471
$13.08 $13.08
-40.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,005 ₡450.9K
$1,032 $1,032
-2.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.9K ₡7.6M
$19.3K $19.3K
-12.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.1 ₡32.8K
$50.4 $50.4
44.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.4 ₡24.9K
$38.07 $38.07
45.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 ₡57.5K
$83.8 $83.8
52.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130 ₡58.5K
$152 $152
-14.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$932 ₡418.0K
$1,510 $1,510
-38.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$760 ₡340.8K
$1,424 $1,424
-46.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,922 ₡862.0K
$2,218 $2,218
-13.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,276 ₡572.1K
$2,364 $2,364
-46.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,301 ₡1.0M
$2,571 $2,571
-10.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,833 ₡821.9K
$2,707 $2,707
-32.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Cleveland, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,029 ₡461.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.75
27.70%

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

Last update for San Jose: October 18, 2026

Last update for Cleveland, MS: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$760
Cleveland, MS
$1.4K 87.4% $664
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Cleveland, MS
$375 6.9% $28
Eating Out
San Jose
$229
Cleveland, MS
$293 27.9% $64
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$189
Cleveland, MS
$351 85.4% $161
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Cleveland, MS
$146 16.2% $28
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Cleveland, MS
$72 17.8% $16
Getting Around
San Jose
$80
Cleveland, MS
$19 * 76.7% $62

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

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $932 in San Jose and $1,510 in Cleveland, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $62.0 in San Jose vs $74.0 in Cleveland, MS. Groceries flip the comparison at $403 vs $375, with Cleveland, MS cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Cleveland, MS
🕒 Local time
08:46 8:46 AM
09:46 9:46 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
367,991
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Cleveland, MS 2,730 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Cleveland, MS

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 Cleveland, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland, MS cheaper than San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper overall, especially in eating out and utilities. The 39% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,886 in San Jose and $4,019 in Cleveland, MS to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Cleveland, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $932 in San Jose versus $1,510 in Cleveland, MS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in San Jose and in Cleveland, MS?
Shoppers in Cleveland, MS pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in San Jose and in Cleveland, MS?
All in, you'll spend $1,924 per month in San Jose versus $2,680 in Cleveland, MS – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in San Jose or in Cleveland, MS?
At $1,924 in San Jose versus $2,680 in Cleveland, MS, a $2,500 budget is realistic in San Jose but tight or insufficient in Cleveland, MS. The gap between the two cities makes San Jose the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is San Jose or Cleveland, MS more family-friendly?
For families, San Jose is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cleveland, MS, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, San Jose or Cleveland, MS?
Safety-wise, San Jose and Cleveland, MS are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find San Jose gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Cleveland, MS. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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