Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Montmagny

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,233 in Montmagny, rent and utilities included – about $1,500 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Montmagny outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Montmagny, Canada
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Montmagny
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,233
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Montmagny

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

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $2,233 in Montmagny, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Montmagny $2,233

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $3,252 in Montmagny, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Montmagny $3,252

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $4,271 in Montmagny, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Montmagny $4,271

San Jose is about 6% cheaper than Montmagny, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both San Jose and Montmagny sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Montmagny by 65%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$19.23 CA$27.04
-35.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$72.7 CA$102
-14.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.61 CA$14.93
10.37%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$3.90 CA$5.49
16.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$1.96 CA$2.75
40.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.52 CA$2.13
22.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$6.28 CA$8.83
-46.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$7.31 CA$10.28
-40.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$2.32 CA$3.26
1.72%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$3.07 CA$4.32
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$3.18 CA$4.48
-21.07%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.62 CA$5.09
-2.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$13.23 CA$18.61
-20.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$11.44 CA$16.08
-7.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$14.06 CA$19.77
-1.00%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$3.28 CA$4.61
58.54%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.46 CA$2.05
13.01%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$3.51 CA$4.94
39.32%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$3.19 CA$4.49
20.38%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$1.96 CA$2.75
99.49%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$1.81 CA$2.55
107.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.48 CA$3.49
-54.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$1.51 CA$2.12
113.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$11.27 CA$15.86
-46.58%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$10.78 CA$15.16
84.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.34 CA$3.29
20.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$2.88 CA$4.05
26.74%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$2.26 CA$3.17
-52.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$62.0 CA$87.2
5.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.24 CA$4.56
-30.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.45 CA$2.04
22.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$32.51 CA$45.72
-75.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.32 CA$1.86
13.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$28.3K CA$39.8K
18.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$21.3K CA$30.0K
98.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$78.8 CA$111
18.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$35.18 CA$49.48
2.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$43.37 CA$61.0
39.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$37.06 CA$52.1
86.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
$18.44 CA$25.93
35.25%
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$11.30 CA$15.89
-32.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$516 CA$726
88.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$16.6K CA$23.4K
13.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$58.3 CA$82.0
21.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$38.90 CA$54.7
45.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$92.3 CA$130
39.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$109 CA$154
19.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$1,276 CA$1,794
-8.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$1,156 CA$1,625
-18.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$2,013 CA$2,830
-1.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,710 CA$2,405
-18.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$4,338 CA$6,101
-38.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$3,553 CA$4,996
-42.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Montmagny
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
4.48
92.41%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Montmagny: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Montmagny
$1.2K 22.5% $213
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Montmagny
$352 12.6% $51
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Montmagny
$292 25.8% $60
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Montmagny
$157 17.1% $33
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Montmagny
$134 22.7% $40
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Montmagny
$60 29.2% $25
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Montmagny
$81 1% $0.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $1,276 in Montmagny. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $73 in Montmagny. Groceries tell a different story – $403 in San Jose vs $352 in Montmagny – so Montmagny wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇨🇦 Montmagny
🕒 Local time
11:22 11:22 AM
12:22 12:22 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
10,999
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, 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).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.711 USD). 1 EUR = 1.58 CAD (1 CAD = 0.633 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Montmagny 4,310 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Montmagny

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 Montmagny: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose cheaper than Montmagny?
Yes – Montmagny is pricier by about 6%, 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 $3,350 in Montmagny. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Montmagny?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $1,170 in San Jose and $1,276 in Montmagny. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $972 per month in San Jose and $516 in Montmagny. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in San Jose and in Montmagny?
Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Montmagny – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Is $2,500 enough for either San Jose or Montmagny?
$2,500 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $2,107 in San Jose and $2,233 in Montmagny, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is it better to live in San Jose or in Montmagny?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,107 in San Jose to $2,233 in Montmagny. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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