Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Clovis, NM

For one person, living is cheaper in Clovis, NM: $2,031 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $910 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Clovis, NM, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Clovis, NM
🇺🇸 United States
$2,031
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Clovis, NM

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 Clovis, NM actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $2,031 in Clovis, NM, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Clovis, NM $2,031

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,904 in Clovis, NM, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Clovis, NM $2,904

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $3,778 in Clovis, NM, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Clovis, NM $3,778

San Jose costs about 4% more than Clovis, NM, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both San Jose and Clovis, NM sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Clovis, NM by 50%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$17.13 $17.13
-27.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$76.4 $76.4
-18.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.54 $10.54
11.10%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.53 $5.53
-17.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.86 $2.86
-3.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$2.37 $2.37
-21.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$5.40 $5.40
-37.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$7.13 $7.13
-39.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.70 $0.70
237.14%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$4.30 $4.30
-28.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$5.64 $5.64
-55.50%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$4.15 $4.15
-14.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$16.28 $16.28
-35.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$20.44 $20.44
-48.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$17.02 $17.02
-18.21%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$3.22 $3.22
61.49%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.31 $1.31
25.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$2.93 $2.93
66.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$2.21 $2.21
73.76%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$1.47 $1.47
165.99%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$2.02 $2.02
86.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$1.82 $1.82
-38.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.53 $2.53
27.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$11.10 $11.10
-45.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$15.95 $15.95
24.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.06 $2.06
36.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$4.21 $4.21
-13.30%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.57 $3.57
-36.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$2.35 $2.35
-24.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$35.01 $35.01
-77.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.02 $1.02
47.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$26.8K $26.8K
24.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$25.9K $25.9K
63.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$252 $252
-63.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$44.34 $44.34
-18.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$92.5 $92.5
-34.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$18.16 $18.16
-57.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,356 $1,356
-28.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$23.1K $23.1K
-18.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$60.6 $60.6
16.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$56.9 $56.9
-0.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$80.4 $80.4
59.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$955 $955
22.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$769 $769
22.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,346 $1,346
47.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,079 $1,079
29.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$1,403 $1,403
91.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$1,419 $1,419
43.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Clovis, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$5,287 $5,287
-81.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
4.75
81.47%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Clovis, NM: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Clovis, NM
$769 18.4% $174
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Clovis, NM
$435 8% $32
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Clovis, NM
$297 27.9% $65
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Clovis, NM
$389 105% $199
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Clovis, NM
$89 * 48.8% $85
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Clovis, NM
$36 * 56.9% $48
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Clovis, NM
$15 * 81% $65

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $955 in Clovis, NM. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Clovis, NM are about 5.4 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $76 in Clovis, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $435 – making San Jose the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Clovis, NM
🕒 Local time
22:45 10:45 PM
21:45 9:45 PM
1 h behind San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
38,567
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 = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Clovis, NM 3,350 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Clovis, NM

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 Clovis, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Clovis, NM?
San Jose costs about 4% more than Clovis, NM, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. 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 Clovis, NM?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $3,046 in Clovis, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, San Jose or Clovis, NM?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Clovis, NM, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $955 there versus $1,170 in San Jose.
How do dining costs compare in San Jose and in Clovis, NM?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose and $76 in Clovis, NM. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in San Jose or in Clovis, NM?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in San Jose – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Can you live on $2,000/month in San Jose or in Clovis, NM?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,107 in San Jose and $2,031 in Clovis, NM. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: San Jose or Clovis, NM?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,031 in Clovis, NM to $2,107 in San Jose. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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