Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Lake Worth, FL

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,675 in Lake Worth, FL, rent and utilities included – about $6,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Lake Worth, FL, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Lake Worth, FL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,675
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Lake Worth, 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 Lake Worth, FL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,107 in San Jose versus $2,675 in Lake Worth, FL.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Lake Worth, FL $2,675

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,081 in San Jose versus $3,725 in Lake Worth, FL.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Lake Worth, FL $3,725

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,054 in San Jose versus $4,775 in Lake Worth, FL.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Lake Worth, FL $4,775

Living in San Jose costs roughly 21% less than in Lake Worth, FL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: San Jose 56% above, Lake Worth, FL 98% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$25.08 $25.08
-50.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$75.9 $75.9
-17.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.04 $10.04
16.63%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.06 $5.06
-10.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.52 $2.52
9.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.86 $1.86
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$5.27 $5.27
-36.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$7.52 $7.52
-42.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.81 $0.81
191.36%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$3.13 $3.13
-1.92%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$3.20 $3.20
-21.56%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$4.73 $4.73
-25.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$13.26 $13.26
-20.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$11.15 $11.15
-5.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$14.81 $14.81
-6.01%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$4.70 $4.70
10.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.50 $1.50
10.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$3.07 $3.07
59.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$5.29 $5.29
-27.41%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.89 $2.89
35.29%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$3.47 $3.47
8.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.22 $2.22
-49.55%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.53 $2.53
27.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$9.55 $9.55
-36.96%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$12.95 $12.95
53.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$1.69 $1.69
66.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$3.37 $3.37
8.31%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$1.98 $1.98
-45.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$51.6 $51.6
26.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.47 $3.47
-34.87%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.89 $1.89
-5.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$30.32 $30.32
-73.94%
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
$27.7K $27.7K
20.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$26.4K $26.4K
60.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$174 $174
-46.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$57.2 $57.2
-36.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$76.0 $76.0
-20.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$43.48 $43.48
58.53%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$10.09 $10.09
-23.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$897 $897
8.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$17.6K $17.6K
7.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$65.7 $65.7
7.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$41.52 $41.52
36.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$115 $115
11.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$104 $104
25.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,763 $1,763
-33.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,356 $1,356
-30.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,288 $2,288
-13.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,836 $1,836
-23.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$3,095 $3,095
-13.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$2,575 $2,575
-20.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Lake Worth, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$7,649 $7,649
-87.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.56
31.40%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Lake Worth, FL: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Lake Worth, FL
$1.4K 43.7% $413
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Lake Worth, FL
$378 6.1% $24
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Lake Worth, FL
$350 50.8% $118
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Lake Worth, FL
$307 61.9% $117
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Lake Worth, FL
$147 15.6% $27
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Lake Worth, FL
$64 24.5% $21
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Lake Worth, FL
$72 10.2% $8.3

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,170 in San Jose and $1,763 in Lake Worth, FL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Lake Worth, FL pays about 7.8 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $62 in San Jose vs $76 in Lake Worth, FL. Groceries flip the comparison at $403 vs $378, with Lake Worth, FL cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Lake Worth, FL
🕒 Local time
06:59 6:59 AM
07:59 7:59 AM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
42,000
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 Lake Worth, FL 1,900 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Lake Worth, 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 Lake Worth, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose cheaper than Lake Worth, FL?
San Jose is about 21% cheaper overall, especially in eating out and utilities. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: San Jose or Lake Worth, FL?
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.
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Lake Worth, FL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,170 in San Jose versus $1,763 in Lake Worth, FL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in San Jose and in Lake Worth, FL?
All in, you’ll spend $2,107 per month in San Jose versus $2,675 in Lake Worth, FL – San Jose is about 21% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Lake Worth, FL runs roughly 21% less than in San Jose. The price difference matters if you commute daily and watch your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in San Jose or in Lake Worth, FL?
At $2,107 in San Jose versus $2,675 in Lake Worth, FL, a $2,500 budget is realistic in San Jose but tight or insufficient in Lake Worth, FL. The gap between the two cities makes San Jose the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in San Jose or in Lake Worth, FL?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
It comes down to priorities – San Jose wins on affordability, Lake Worth, FL on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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