Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Hagerstown, MD

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,490 in Hagerstown, MD, rent and utilities included – about $4,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Hagerstown, MD, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Hagerstown, MD
🇺🇸 United States
$2,490
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Hagerstown, MD

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 Hagerstown, MD actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $2,490 in Hagerstown, MD, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Hagerstown, MD $2,490

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $3,639 in Hagerstown, MD, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Hagerstown, MD $3,639

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $4,787 in Hagerstown, MD, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Hagerstown, MD $4,787

San Jose is about 15% cheaper than Hagerstown, MD, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both San Jose and Hagerstown, MD sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Hagerstown, MD by 84%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$15.22 $15.22
-18.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$76.5 $76.5
-18.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.87 $10.87
7.73%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.82 $5.82
-21.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.12 $2.12
29.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$2.34 $2.34
-20.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$6.39 $6.39
-47.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$8.29 $8.29
-47.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.87 $0.87
171.26%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$4.08 $4.08
-24.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$4.39 $4.39
-42.82%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.73 $3.73
-5.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$6.89 $6.89
52.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$13.12 $13.12
-19.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$22.88 $22.88
-39.16%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$4.52 $4.52
15.04%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.11 $1.11
48.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$4.08 $4.08
19.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$2.70 $2.70
42.22%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.42 $2.42
61.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$3.80 $3.80
-1.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.31 $2.31
-51.52%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.54 $2.54
26.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$9.60 $9.60
-37.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$15.06 $15.06
31.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.89 $2.89
-2.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$2.92 $2.92
25.00%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$60.7 $60.7
7.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$4.37 $4.37
-48.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.66 $1.66
7.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$33.22 $33.22
-76.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$0.92 $0.92
63.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$29.5K $29.5K
13.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$24.5K $24.5K
72.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$166 $166
-43.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$52.7 $52.7
-31.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$63.0 $63.0
-3.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$50.2 $50.2
37.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
$18.26 $18.26
36.58%
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$10.03 $10.03
-23.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,892 $1,892
-48.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$9,875 $9,875
91.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$54.6 $54.6
29.25%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$19.96 $19.96
183.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$97.8 $97.8
31.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$164 $164
-20.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,421 $1,421
-17.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,222 $1,222
-22.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,957 $1,957
1.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,934 $1,934
-27.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$2,039 $2,039
31.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$2,008 $2,008
1.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Hagerstown, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$5,381 $5,381
-81.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.49
32.82%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Hagerstown, MD: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Hagerstown, MD
$1.2K 29.5% $279
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Hagerstown, MD
$401 0.4% $1.6
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Hagerstown, MD
$291 25.1% $58
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Hagerstown, MD
$282 48.5% $92
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Hagerstown, MD
$151 13.1% $23
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Hagerstown, MD
$70 16.6% $14
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Hagerstown, MD
$73 * 9.2% $7.4

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 $1,421 in Hagerstown, MD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Hagerstown, MD are about 5.5 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $76 in Hagerstown, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $403 in San Jose vs $401 in Hagerstown, MD – so Hagerstown, MD wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Hagerstown, MD
🕒 Local time
09:25 9:25 AM
10:25 10:25 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
39,008
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 = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Hagerstown, MD 3,360 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Hagerstown, MD

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 Hagerstown, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Hagerstown, MD?
Hagerstown, MD costs about 18% more than San Jose, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 Hagerstown, MD?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $3,735 in Hagerstown, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, San Jose or Hagerstown, MD?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Jose, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,170 there versus $1,421 in Hagerstown, MD.
How do dining costs compare in San Jose and in Hagerstown, MD?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose and $76 in Hagerstown, MD. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How expensive is transport in San Jose compared to Hagerstown, MD?
Public transport costs about 7% less in Hagerstown, MD. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is better for families?
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.
Should I move to San Jose or to Hagerstown, MD?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hagerstown, MD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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