Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Dodge City, KS

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,924 a month against $2,593 in Dodge City, KS, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Dodge City, KS outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,924
/mo nomad
Dodge City, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,593
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Dodge City, KS

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 Dodge City, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,924 per month in San Jose vs $2,593 in Dodge City, KS, rent included.

  • San Jose $1,924
  • Dodge City, KS $2,593

A couple spends around $2,926 per month in San Jose vs $3,749 in Dodge City, KS, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,926
  • Dodge City, KS $3,749

A family of three spends $3,929 per month in San Jose vs $4,905 in Dodge City, KS, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,929
  • Dodge City, KS $4,905

San Jose is about 26% cheaper than Dodge City, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both San Jose and Dodge City, KS sit above the global median – San Jose by 42%, Dodge City, KS by 91%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.29 ₡5,513
$17.84 $17.84
-31.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.3 ₡27.9K
$60.7 $60.7
2.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.53 ₡5,171
$10.90 $10.90
5.78%
Cappuccino
$4.35 ₡1,953
$5.29 $5.29
-17.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 ₡1,183
$2.52 $2.52
4.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡836
$1.87 $1.87
-0.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 ₡1,490
$5.06 $5.06
-34.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 ₡2,026
$5.97 $5.97
-24.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.39 ₡1,073
$0.86 $0.86
177.91%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,381
$3.82 $3.82
-19.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.50 ₡1,119
$4.59 $4.59
-45.53%
Eggs
$3.48 ₡1,562
$4.12 $4.12
-15.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.74 ₡4,815
$11.56 $11.56
-7.09%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.32 ₡4,629
$10.27 $10.27
0.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,325
$18.04 $18.04
-21.84%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 ₡2,256
$2.52 $2.52
99.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₡714
$1.65 $1.65
-3.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.84 ₡2,171
$3.78 $3.78
28.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.96 ₡1,776
$2.45 $2.45
61.63%
Potato (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,684
$2.54 $2.54
48.03%
Onion (1kg)
$3.73 ₡1,674
$2.17 $2.17
71.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ₡485
$2.30 $2.30
-53.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.25 ₡1,456
$2.36 $2.36
37.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86 ₡2,627
$9.99 $9.99
-41.34%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.28 ₡9,095
$11.80 $11.80
71.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90 ₡1,300
$2.27 $2.27
27.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ₡1,673
$3.81 $3.81
-2.10%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡486
$1.96 $1.96
-44.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.5 ₡29.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.50 ₡1,123
$2.47 $2.47
1.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 ₡732
$1.53 $1.53
6.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.71 ₡3,904
$40.66 $40.66
-78.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 ₡709
$0.93 $0.93
69.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K ₡15.1M
$27.9K $27.9K
20.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.7K ₡18.7M
$25.5K $25.5K
63.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.7 ₡42.0K
$271 $271
-65.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.42 ₡15.9K
$81.9 $81.9
-56.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0 ₡26.9K
$70.4 $70.4
-14.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.6 ₡32.6K
$35.52 $35.52
104.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.83 ₡11.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.74 ₡3,471
$14.71 $14.71
-47.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,005 ₡450.9K
$919 $919
9.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.9K ₡7.6M
$16.0K $16.0K
5.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.1 ₡32.8K
$48.14 $48.14
51.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.4 ₡24.9K
$31.71 $31.71
74.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 ₡57.5K
$110 $110
16.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130 ₡58.5K
$140 $140
-7.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$932 ₡418.0K
$1,594 $1,594
-41.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$760 ₡340.8K
$1,281 $1,281
-40.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,922 ₡862.0K
$2,509 $2,509
-23.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,276 ₡572.1K
$2,176 $2,176
-41.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,301 ₡1.0M
$2,750 $2,750
-16.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,833 ₡821.9K
$2,390 $2,390
-23.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Dodge City, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,029 ₡461.3K
$2,887 $2,887
-64.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.65
29.62%

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

Last update for San Jose: October 18, 2026

Last update for Dodge City, KS: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$760
Dodge City, KS
$1.3K 68.6% $521
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Dodge City, KS
$364 9.8% $39
Eating Out
San Jose
$229
Dodge City, KS
$294 28.3% $65
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$189
Dodge City, KS
$423 124% $234
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Dodge City, KS
$149 14.6% $26
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Dodge City, KS
$65 26.3% $23
Getting Around
San Jose
$80
Dodge City, KS
$18 * 77.7% $62

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $932 in San Jose versus $1,594 in Dodge City, KS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 181% higher in Dodge City, KS, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62.0 in San Jose versus $61.0 in Dodge City, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $364 – making Dodge City, KS the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Dodge City, KS
🕒 Local time
01:56 1:56 AM
02:56 2:56 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
26,101
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 21, 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 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Dodge City, KS 3,480 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Dodge City, KS

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 Dodge City, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in San Jose and in Dodge City, KS compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,924 in San Jose, $2,593 in Dodge City, KS – roughly 35% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in San Jose compared to Dodge City, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,886 per month in San Jose and $3,889 in Dodge City, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between San Jose and Dodge City, KS?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Jose, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: San Jose or Dodge City, KS?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,924 in San Jose and $2,593 in Dodge City, KS. That's a gap of about 35%.
What is the difference in childcare costs between San Jose and Dodge City, KS?
Kindergarten costs $1,005 per month in San Jose and $919 in Dodge City, KS. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $1,924, than in Dodge City, KS at $2,593. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dodge City, KS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between San Jose and Dodge City, KS?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,924 in San Jose to $2,593 in Dodge City, KS. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is San Jose or Dodge City, KS safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between San Jose and Dodge City, KS?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dodge City, KS makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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