Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Kingman, AZ

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,938 a month against $2,210 in Kingman, AZ, rent and utilities included – about $3,300 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Kingman, AZ outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,938
/mo nomad
Kingman, AZ
🇺🇸 United States
$2,210
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Kingman, AZ

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 Kingman, AZ actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,938 in San Jose versus $2,210 in Kingman, AZ.

  • San Jose $1,938
  • Kingman, AZ $2,210

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,936 in San Jose versus $3,042 in Kingman, AZ.

  • San Jose $2,936
  • Kingman, AZ $3,042

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,934 in San Jose versus $3,874 in Kingman, AZ.

  • San Jose $3,934
  • Kingman, AZ $3,874

Living in San Jose costs roughly 12% less than in Kingman, AZ, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: San Jose 44% above, Kingman, AZ 64% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.38 ₡5,551
$12.09 $12.09
2.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.9 ₡27.3K
$49.48 $49.48
23.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.45 ₡5,135
$12.03 $12.03
-4.82%
Cappuccino
$4.39 ₡1,967
$5.88 $5.88
-25.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70 ₡1,211
$2.93 $2.93
-7.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 ₡864
$2.27 $2.27
-14.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.20 ₡1,433
$5.08 $5.08
-37.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.41 ₡1,979
$5.83 $5.83
-24.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.44 ₡1,093
$0.84 $0.84
190.48%
White Bread (500g)
$3.05 ₡1,369
$2.93 $2.93
4.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.41 ₡1,081
$3.77 $3.77
-36.07%
Eggs
$3.40 ₡1,523
$3.48 $3.48
-2.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.75 ₡4,823
$13.93 $13.93
-22.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.43 ₡4,679
$9.65 $9.65
8.08%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 ₡6,273
$14.87 $14.87
-5.92%
Apples (1kg)
$5.25 ₡2,353
$3.75 $3.75
40.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₡712
$1.33 $1.33
19.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.69 ₡2,103
$3.00 $3.00
56.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.95 ₡1,770
$4.19 $4.19
-5.73%
Potato (1kg)
$3.92 ₡1,760
$1.62 $1.62
141.98%
Onion (1kg)
$3.68 ₡1,651
$2.94 $2.94
25.17%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡503
$1.54 $1.54
-27.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.19 ₡1,429
$1.22 $1.22
161.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.00 ₡2,692
$9.09 $9.09
-33.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.56 ₡8,771
$12.02 $12.02
62.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 ₡1,263
$2.47 $2.47
14.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 ₡1,611
$3.13 $3.13
14.70%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.12 ₡503
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.8 ₡30.0K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.50 ₡1,119
$2.77 $2.77
-9.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 ₡733
$1.27 $1.27
28.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.50 ₡3,812
$35.96 $35.96
-76.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.56 ₡701
$0.89 $0.89
75.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.4K ₡10.0M
$35.5K $35.5K
-36.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.6K ₡16.0M
$25.5K $25.5K
39.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$95.2 ₡42.7K
$242 $242
-60.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.58 ₡16.0K
$57.5 $57.5
-38.07%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.6 ₡26.3K
$76.7 $76.7
-23.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.7 ₡32.6K
$34.83 $34.83
108.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.85 ₡11.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.58 ₡3,401
$9.93 $9.93
-23.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,001 ₡449.0K
$1,199 $1,199
-16.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.1K ₡7.7M
$22.9K $22.9K
-25.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.5 ₡31.6K
$47.72 $47.72
47.72%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.0K
$43.21 $43.21
29.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$130 ₡58.2K
$80.7 $80.7
60.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.7K
$126 $126
4.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$927 ₡415.8K
$1,113 $1,113
-16.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 ₡347.2K
$1,040 $1,040
-25.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,967 ₡882.0K
$1,600 $1,600
22.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,288 ₡577.6K
$1,484 $1,484
-13.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,274 ₡1.0M
$2,718 $2,718
-16.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,831 ₡821.0K
$2,716 $2,716
-32.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Kingman, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,016 ₡455.8K
$5,290 $5,290
-80.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.63
30.02%

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

Last update for San Jose: October 11, 2026

Last update for Kingman, AZ: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$774
Kingman, AZ
$1K 34.3% $266
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$401
Kingman, AZ
$335 16.4% $66
Eating Out
San Jose
$229
Kingman, AZ
$261 13.9% $32
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$189
Kingman, AZ
$376 98.6% $187
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Kingman, AZ
$134 23.1% $40
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Kingman, AZ
$55 37.8% $33
Getting Around
San Jose
$82
Kingman, AZ
$9.1 * 88.9% $73

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 $927 in San Jose and $1,113 in Kingman, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kingman, AZ pays 421% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $61.0 in San Jose vs $49.00 in Kingman, AZ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $401 vs $335 per month, with Kingman, AZ cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Kingman, AZ
🕒 Local time
19:08 7:08 PM
18:08 6:08 PM
1 h behind San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
28,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 18, 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 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Kingman, AZ 4,130 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Kingman, AZ

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 Kingman, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Kingman, AZ?
San Jose wins on cost – living expenses run 14% lower than in Kingman, AZ. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making San Jose the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in San Jose or in Kingman, AZ?
On paper, salaries run 421% lower in Kingman, AZ. 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 Kingman, AZ?
Rent for a central apartment: $927 in San Jose versus $1,113 in Kingman, AZ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in San Jose or in Kingman, AZ?
Shoppers in Kingman, AZ pay roughly 20% 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 Kingman, AZ?
All in, you'll spend $1,938 per month in San Jose versus $2,210 in Kingman, AZ – a 14% 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 Kingman, AZ?
At $1,938 in San Jose versus $2,210 in Kingman, AZ, a $2,500 budget is realistic in San Jose but tight or insufficient in Kingman, AZ. 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 Kingman, AZ?
Both work as nomad bases, but San Jose delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,938 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 14% less than in Kingman, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

San Jose vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?