Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Fulshear, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,924 a month against $2,486 in Fulshear, TX, rent and utilities included – about $6,700 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Fulshear, TX outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,924
/mo nomad
Fulshear, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,486
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Fulshear, TX

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 Fulshear, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,924 in San Jose versus $2,486 in Fulshear, TX.

  • San Jose $1,924
  • Fulshear, TX $2,486

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,926 in San Jose versus $3,610 in Fulshear, TX.

  • San Jose $2,926
  • Fulshear, TX $3,610

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,929 in San Jose versus $4,734 in Fulshear, TX.

  • San Jose $3,929
  • Fulshear, TX $4,734

Living in San Jose costs roughly 23% less than in Fulshear, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: San Jose 42% above, Fulshear, TX 83% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.29 ₡5,513
$17.69 $17.69
-30.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.3 ₡27.9K
$69.7 $69.7
-10.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.53 ₡5,171
$10.90 $10.90
5.78%
Cappuccino
$4.35 ₡1,953
$5.17 $5.17
-15.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 ₡1,183
$2.58 $2.58
2.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡836
$1.73 $1.73
7.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 ₡1,490
$5.17 $5.17
-35.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 ₡2,026
$5.91 $5.91
-23.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.39 ₡1,073
$0.92 $0.92
159.78%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,381
$2.21 $2.21
39.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.50 ₡1,119
$4.44 $4.44
-43.69%
Eggs
$3.48 ₡1,562
$2.13 $2.13
63.38%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.74 ₡4,815
$11.94 $11.94
-10.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.32 ₡4,629
$11.80 $11.80
-12.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,325
$13.36 $13.36
5.54%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 ₡2,256
$3.81 $3.81
32.02%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₡714
$1.02 $1.02
55.88%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.84 ₡2,171
$4.30 $4.30
12.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.96 ₡1,776
$2.17 $2.17
82.49%
Potato (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,684
$2.57 $2.57
46.30%
Onion (1kg)
$3.73 ₡1,674
$3.13 $3.13
19.17%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ₡485
$1.98 $1.98
-45.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.25 ₡1,456
$2.31 $2.31
40.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86 ₡2,627
$10.00 $10.00
-41.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.28 ₡9,095
$15.17 $15.17
33.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90 ₡1,300
$2.76 $2.76
5.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 ₡1,673
$3.40 $3.40
9.71%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡486
$1.88 $1.88
-42.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.5 ₡29.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.50 ₡1,123
$3.49 $3.49
-28.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 ₡732
$1.77 $1.77
-7.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.71 ₡3,904
$24.48 $24.48
-64.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 ₡709
$0.99 $0.99
59.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K ₡15.1M
$36.3K $36.3K
-7.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.7K ₡18.7M
$22.8K $22.8K
82.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.7 ₡42.0K
$215 $215
-56.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.42 ₡15.9K
$71.9 $71.9
-50.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0 ₡26.9K
$65.8 $65.8
-8.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.6 ₡32.6K
$45.48 $45.48
59.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.83 ₡11.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.74 ₡3,471
$14.22 $14.22
-45.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,005 ₡450.9K
$1,310 $1,310
-23.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.9K ₡7.6M
$19.0K $19.0K
-11.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.1 ₡32.8K
$24.90 $24.90
193.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.4 ₡24.9K
$49.60 $49.60
11.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 ₡57.5K
$66.2 $66.2
93.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130 ₡58.5K
$118 $118
10.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$932 ₡418.0K
$1,361 $1,361
-31.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$760 ₡340.8K
$1,285 $1,285
-40.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,922 ₡862.0K
$2,867 $2,867
-32.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,276 ₡572.1K
$2,148 $2,148
-40.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,301 ₡1.0M
$2,791 $2,791
-17.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,833 ₡821.9K
$2,547 $2,547
-28.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Fulshear, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,029 ₡461.3K
-
-
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: October 18, 2026

Last update for Fulshear, TX: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$760
Fulshear, TX
$1.3K 69.1% $525
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Fulshear, TX
$346 14.1% $57
Eating Out
San Jose
$229
Fulshear, TX
$291 27.2% $62
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$189
Fulshear, TX
$353 86.7% $164
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Fulshear, TX
$116 33.2% $58
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Fulshear, TX
$74 16.1% $14
Getting Around
San Jose
$80
Fulshear, TX
$20 * 75.3% $61

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 $1,361 in Fulshear, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $62.0 in San Jose vs $70.0 in Fulshear, TX. Groceries flip the comparison at $403 vs $346, with Fulshear, TX cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Fulshear, TX
🕒 Local time
09:25 9:25 AM
10:25 10:25 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
17,000
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 Fulshear, TX 2,520 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Fulshear, TX

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 Fulshear, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Fulshear, TX?
San Jose wins on cost – living expenses run 29% lower than in Fulshear, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making San Jose the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in San Jose and in Fulshear, TX?
You'd need roughly $2,886 in San Jose and $3,729 in Fulshear, TX 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in San Jose compared to Fulshear, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $932 in San Jose versus $1,361 in Fulshear, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in San Jose or in Fulshear, TX?
Shoppers in Fulshear, TX pay roughly 16% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in San Jose compared to Fulshear, TX?
All in, you'll spend $1,924 per month in San Jose versus $2,486 in Fulshear, TX – a 29% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,500/month in San Jose or in Fulshear, TX?
At $1,924 in San Jose versus $2,486 in Fulshear, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in San Jose but tight or insufficient in Fulshear, TX. The gap between the two cities makes San Jose the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, San Jose or Fulshear, TX?
Both work as nomad bases, but San Jose delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,924 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes San Jose hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find San Jose gentler on the wallet – expenses run 29% less than in Fulshear, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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