Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Hollywood, FL

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $3,266 in Hollywood, FL, rent and utilities included – about $13,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Hollywood, FL, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Hollywood, FL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,266
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Hollywood, FL

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 Hollywood, FL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $3,266 in Hollywood, FL, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Hollywood, FL $3,266

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $4,927 in Hollywood, FL, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Hollywood, FL $4,927

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $6,588 in Hollywood, FL, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Hollywood, FL $6,588

San Jose is about 35% cheaper than Hollywood, FL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both San Jose and Hollywood, FL sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Hollywood, FL by 142%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$29.57 $29.57
-58.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$121 $121
-48.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$12.10 $12.10
-3.22%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.46 $5.46
-16.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$3.38 $3.38
-18.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$2.85 $2.85
-34.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$7.59 $7.59
-55.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$10.04 $10.04
-56.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$1.17 $1.17
101.71%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$4.01 $4.01
-23.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$5.94 $5.94
-57.74%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$5.20 $5.20
-32.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$15.71 $15.71
-32.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$16.47 $16.47
-35.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$17.64 $17.64
-21.09%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$5.59 $5.59
-6.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$2.26 $2.26
-26.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$4.60 $4.60
6.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.45 $4.45
-13.71%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$3.19 $3.19
22.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$3.51 $3.51
7.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.96 $2.96
-62.16%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.57 $2.57
25.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$9.21 $9.21
-34.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$14.71 $14.71
34.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.20 $2.20
27.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$3.20 $3.20
14.06%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$2.01 $2.01
-46.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$71.3 $71.3
-8.46%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$2.88 $2.88
-21.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.80 $1.80
-1.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$23.58 $23.58
-66.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.05 $1.05
42.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$27.5K $27.5K
21.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$26.1K $26.1K
61.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$143 $143
-34.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$63.9 $63.9
-43.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$75.1 $75.1
-19.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$60.2 $60.2
14.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$16.79 $16.79
-54.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,479 $1,479
-34.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$33.1K $33.1K
-42.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$62.0 $62.0
13.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$50.8 $50.8
11.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$98.4 $98.4
30.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$118 $118
10.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$2,239 $2,239
-47.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,763 $1,763
-46.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$3,579 $3,579
-44.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$2,998 $2,998
-53.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$7,244 $7,244
-62.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$3,818 $3,818
-46.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Hollywood, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$3,774 $3,774
-73.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.74
27.89%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Hollywood, FL: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Hollywood, FL
$1.8K 86.9% $820
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Hollywood, FL
$467 16% $64
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Hollywood, FL
$421 81.3% $189
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Hollywood, FL
$282 48.3% $92
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Hollywood, FL
$148 14.8% $26
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Hollywood, FL
$94 11.3% $9.5
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Hollywood, FL
$91 13% $11

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $2,239 in Hollywood, FL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Hollywood, FL are about 3.8 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $121 in Hollywood, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $467 – making San Jose the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Hollywood, FL
🕒 Local time
08:46 8:46 AM
09:46 9:46 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
167,664
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 Hollywood, FL 1,840 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Hollywood, FL

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 Hollywood, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose cheaper than Hollywood, FL?
Yes – Hollywood, FL is pricier by about 55%, 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 $3,161 per month in San Jose and $4,900 in Hollywood, FL. 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,170 there versus $2,239 in Hollywood, FL.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 8% less in San Jose. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $972 per month in San Jose and $1,479 in Hollywood, FL. 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 Hollywood, FL?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $2,107, than in Hollywood, FL at $3,266. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hollywood, FL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is San Jose or Hollywood, FL 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 the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with San Jose. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hollywood, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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