Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Everett, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,924 a month against $3,161 in Everett, WA, rent and utilities included – about $14,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,924
/mo nomad
Everett, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,161
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Everett, WA

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 Everett, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,924 per month in San Jose vs $3,161 in Everett, WA, rent included.

  • San Jose $1,924
  • Everett, WA $3,161

A couple spends around $2,926 per month in San Jose vs $4,579 in Everett, WA, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,926
  • Everett, WA $4,579

A family of three spends $3,929 per month in San Jose vs $5,997 in Everett, WA, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,929
  • Everett, WA $5,997

San Jose is about 39% cheaper than Everett, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both San Jose and Everett, WA sit above the global median – San Jose by 42%, Everett, WA by 133%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.29 ₡5,513
$25.14 $25.14
-51.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.3 ₡27.9K
$81.5 $81.5
-23.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.53 ₡5,171
$12.22 $12.22
-5.65%
Cappuccino
$4.35 ₡1,953
$5.14 $5.14
-15.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 ₡1,183
$2.85 $2.85
-7.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡836
$2.03 $2.03
-8.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 ₡1,490
$6.95 $6.95
-52.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 ₡2,026
$6.98 $6.98
-35.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.39 ₡1,073
$1.06 $1.06
125.47%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,381
$3.53 $3.53
-12.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.50 ₡1,119
$4.04 $4.04
-38.12%
Eggs
$3.48 ₡1,562
$4.07 $4.07
-14.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.74 ₡4,815
$13.88 $13.88
-22.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.32 ₡4,629
$13.26 $13.26
-22.17%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,325
$22.77 $22.77
-38.08%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 ₡2,256
$5.12 $5.12
-1.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₡714
$1.69 $1.69
-5.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.84 ₡2,171
$4.06 $4.06
19.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.96 ₡1,776
$4.68 $4.68
-15.38%
Potato (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,684
$1.96 $1.96
91.84%
Onion (1kg)
$3.73 ₡1,674
$2.44 $2.44
52.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ₡485
$1.74 $1.74
-37.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.25 ₡1,456
$2.49 $2.49
30.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86 ₡2,627
$12.31 $12.31
-52.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.28 ₡9,095
$16.32 $16.32
24.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90 ₡1,300
$1.70 $1.70
70.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ₡1,673
$4.17 $4.17
-10.55%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡486
$3.08 $3.08
-64.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.5 ₡29.4K
$88.8 $88.8
-26.30%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.50 ₡1,123
$2.58 $2.58
-3.10%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 ₡732
$1.65 $1.65
-1.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.71 ₡3,904
$29.96 $29.96
-70.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 ₡709
$1.34 $1.34
17.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K ₡15.1M
$28.5K $28.5K
17.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.7K ₡18.7M
$26.4K $26.4K
58.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.7 ₡42.0K
$226 $226
-58.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.42 ₡15.9K
$73.5 $73.5
-51.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0 ₡26.9K
$89.7 $89.7
-33.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.6 ₡32.6K
$30.20 $30.20
140.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.83 ₡11.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.74 ₡3,471
$13.97 $13.97
-44.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,005 ₡450.9K
$2,078 $2,078
-51.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.9K ₡7.6M
$31.5K $31.5K
-46.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.1 ₡32.8K
$50.3 $50.3
45.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.4 ₡24.9K
$44.53 $44.53
24.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 ₡57.5K
$84.4 $84.4
51.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130 ₡58.5K
$127 $127
3.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$932 ₡418.0K
$1,819 $1,819
-48.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$760 ₡340.8K
$1,670 $1,670
-54.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,922 ₡862.0K
$3,061 $3,061
-37.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,276 ₡572.1K
$2,741 $2,741
-53.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,301 ₡1.0M
$4,374 $4,374
-47.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,833 ₡821.9K
$4,095 $4,095
-55.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Everett, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,029 ₡461.3K
$4,593 $4,593
-77.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.64
29.82%

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

Last update for San Jose: October 18, 2026

Last update for Everett, WA: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$760
Everett, WA
$1.7K 120% $910
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Everett, WA
$427 5.9% $24
Eating Out
San Jose
$229
Everett, WA
$368 60.7% $139
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$189
Everett, WA
$389 106% $200
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Everett, WA
$138 21% $37
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Everett, WA
$58 34% $30
Getting Around
San Jose
$80
Everett, WA
$112 39.2% $32

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $932 in San Jose versus $1,819 in Everett, WA. 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 346% higher in Everett, WA, 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 $82.0 in Everett, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $427 – making San Jose the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Everett, WA
🕒 Local time
13:54 1:54 PM
12:54 12:54 PM
1 h behind San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
110,629
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 20, 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 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Everett, WA 5,530 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Everett, WA

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 Everett, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Everett, WA cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – Everett, WA is pricier by about 64%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,886 per month in San Jose and $4,742 in Everett, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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 has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 36% less in San Jose. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $1,005 per month in San Jose and $2,078 in Everett, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in San Jose or in Everett, WA?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $1,924, than in Everett, WA at $3,161. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Everett, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is San Jose or Everett, WA more family-friendly?
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.
Which city is safer, San Jose or Everett, WA?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Everett, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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