Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Kennesaw, GA

For one person, living is cheaper in Kennesaw, GA: $1,272 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $10,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Kennesaw, GA, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Kennesaw, GA
🇺🇸 United States
$1,272
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Kennesaw, GA

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 Kennesaw, GA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,107 in San Jose versus $1,272 in Kennesaw, GA.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Kennesaw, GA $1,272

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,081 in San Jose versus $1,993 in Kennesaw, GA.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Kennesaw, GA $1,993

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,054 in San Jose versus $2,714 in Kennesaw, GA.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Kennesaw, GA $2,714

Living in San Jose is roughly 66% more expensive than in Kennesaw, GA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

The two cities straddle the global median: San Jose is 56% above, Kennesaw, GA is 6% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$16.60 $16.60
-25.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$64.5 $64.5
-3.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$8.81 $8.81
32.92%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.45 $5.45
-16.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.57 $2.57
7.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.22 $1.22
52.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$4.97 $4.97
-32.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$6.13 $6.13
-29.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$1.00 $1.00
136.00%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$3.07 $3.07
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$1.95 $1.95
28.72%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$4.09 $4.09
-13.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$9.55 $9.55
10.37%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$10.25 $10.25
3.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$15.73 $15.73
-11.51%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$6.55 $6.55
-20.61%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.38 $1.38
19.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$8.20 $8.20
-40.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$5.52 $5.52
-30.43%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$4.76 $4.76
-17.86%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$4.34 $4.34
-13.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.86 $2.86
-60.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.75 $2.75
17.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$8.62 $8.62
-30.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$14.73 $14.73
34.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.31 $2.31
21.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$3.62 $3.62
0.83%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.02 $3.02
-25.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.63 $1.63
9.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$29.42 $29.42
-73.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$0.77 $0.77
94.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$26.5K $26.5K
26.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$25.4K $25.4K
66.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$270 $270
-65.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$57.5 $57.5
-37.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$51.6 $51.6
17.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$16.30 $16.30
-52.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,375 $1,375
-29.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$19.0K $19.0K
-0.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$58.0 $58.0
21.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$38.54 $38.54
47.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$110 $110
16.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$157 $157
-16.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,563 $1,563
-25.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,113 $2,113
-6.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Kennesaw, GA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$7,863 $7,863
-87.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.69
28.85%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Kennesaw, GA: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Kennesaw, GA
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Kennesaw, GA
$409 1.6% $6.3
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Kennesaw, GA
$277 19.1% $44
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Kennesaw, GA
$379 99.4% $189
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Kennesaw, GA
$164 6% $10
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Kennesaw, GA
$33 * 61.3% $52
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Kennesaw, GA
$11 * 86.1% $70

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 $1,170 in San Jose and $1,563 in Kennesaw, GA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kennesaw, GA pays about 8 times more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $62 in San Jose vs $65 in Kennesaw, GA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $403 vs $409 per month, with San Jose cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Kennesaw, GA
🕒 Local time
11:00 11:00 AM
12:00 12:00 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
34,344
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 Kennesaw, GA 2,680 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Kennesaw, GA

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 Kennesaw, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Kennesaw, GA?
Kennesaw, GA wins on cost – living expenses run 40% lower than in San Jose. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Kennesaw, GA the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in San Jose or in Kennesaw, GA?
On paper, salaries run 87% lower in San Jose. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in San Jose compared to Kennesaw, GA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,170 in San Jose versus $1,563 in Kennesaw, GA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in San Jose compared to Kennesaw, GA?
All in, you’ll spend $2,107 per month in San Jose versus $1,272 in Kennesaw, GA – Kennesaw, GA is about 40% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
How do dining costs compare in San Jose and in Kennesaw, GA?
Dining out is cheaper in San Jose – a meal for two runs $62 versus $65 in Kennesaw, GA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in San Jose or in Kennesaw, GA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $1,000. Kennesaw, GA is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: San Jose or Kennesaw, GA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

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