Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Oxford, MS

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $1,949 a month against $2,379 in Oxford, MS, rent and utilities included – about $5,200 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Oxford, MS outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,949
/mo nomad
Oxford, MS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,379
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Oxford, MS

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,949 in San Jose versus $2,379 in Oxford, MS.

  • San Jose $1,949
  • Oxford, MS $2,379

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,903 in San Jose versus $3,941 in Oxford, MS.

  • San Jose $2,903
  • Oxford, MS $3,941

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,857 in San Jose versus $5,503 in Oxford, MS.

  • San Jose $3,857
  • Oxford, MS $5,503

Living in San Jose costs roughly 18% less than in Oxford, MS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: San Jose 45% above, Oxford, MS 78% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,510
$17.06 $17.06
-28.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.1 ₡27.1K
$59.7 $59.7
0.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.77 ₡5,305
$11.21 $11.21
5.00%
Cappuccino
$4.30 ₡1,939
$4.96 $4.96
-13.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 ₡1,226
$1.52 $1.52
78.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 ₡830
$1.90 $1.90
-3.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.28 ₡1,480
$4.44 $4.44
-26.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36 ₡1,966
$6.79 $6.79
-35.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.38 ₡1,074
$0.87 $0.87
173.56%
White Bread (500g)
$3.12 ₡1,408
$2.94 $2.94
6.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.41 ₡1,086
$2.69 $2.69
-10.41%
Eggs
$3.47 ₡1,564
$4.02 $4.02
-13.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,767
$9.55 $9.55
10.68%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.56 ₡4,758
$9.85 $9.85
7.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.75 ₡6,196
$14.40 $14.40
-4.51%
Apples (1kg)
$5.04 ₡2,274
$3.79 $3.79
32.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡727
$1.39 $1.39
15.83%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 ₡2,069
$3.43 $3.43
33.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,731
$2.97 $2.97
29.29%
Potato (1kg)
$3.77 ₡1,700
$2.64 $2.64
42.80%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,693
$2.22 $2.22
69.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡506
$1.77 $1.77
-36.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.20 ₡1,441
$1.84 $1.84
73.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.84 ₡2,632
$7.34 $7.34
-20.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.73 ₡8,897
$12.06 $12.06
63.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,240
$1.64 $1.64
67.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ₡1,650
$3.28 $3.28
11.59%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.12 ₡503
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 ₡29.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.46 ₡1,110
$4.42 $4.42
-44.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.54 ₡692
$1.93 $1.93
-20.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.46 ₡3,815
$32.88 $32.88
-74.27%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡699
$0.70 $0.70
121.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K ₡9.8M
$34.0K $34.0K
-36.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9K ₡15.7M
$25.5K $25.5K
36.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.7 ₡42.7K
$139 $139
-31.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$49.74 $49.74
-29.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.6 ₡26.4K
$65.9 $65.9
-11.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.2 ₡32.5K
$25.07 $25.07
187.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.19 ₡11.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.83 ₡3,532
$11.87 $11.87
-34.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$971 ₡437.9K
$1,540 $1,540
-36.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.0K ₡7.7M
$8,220 $8,220
106.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.6 ₡32.3K
$61.6 $61.6
16.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.9 ₡24.7K
$52.7 $52.7
4.12%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡58.2K
$87.5 $87.5
47.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 ₡60.0K
$169 $169
-21.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$934 ₡420.9K
$1,295 $1,295
-27.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$770 ₡347.2K
$1,266 $1,266
-39.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,945 ₡876.7K
$3,121 $3,121
-37.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 ₡593.5K
$3,156 $3,156
-58.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,277 ₡1.0M
$3,391 $3,391
-32.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,795 ₡809.1K
$2,942 $2,942
-39.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Oxford, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,006 ₡453.5K
$4,786 $4,786
-78.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.65
29.62%

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

Last update for San Jose: October 3, 2026

Last update for Oxford, MS: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$770
Oxford, MS
$1.3K 64.3% $495
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$399
Oxford, MS
$322 19.2% $77
Eating Out
San Jose
$228
Oxford, MS
$279 22.4% $51
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$188
Oxford, MS
$255 35.2% $66
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$175
Oxford, MS
$167 4.5% $7.8
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$88
Oxford, MS
$49 44.4% $39
Getting Around
San Jose
$80
Oxford, MS
$14 * 82.3% $66

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 $934 in San Jose and $1,295 in Oxford, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Oxford, MS pays 376% 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: $60.0 in San Jose vs $60.0 in Oxford, MS. Groceries flip the comparison at $399 vs $322, with Oxford, MS cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Oxford, MS
🕒 Local time
15:47 3:47 PM
16:47 4:47 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
23,639
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Oxford, MS 2,770 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Oxford, MS

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 Oxford, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Oxford, MS?
San Jose wins on cost – living expenses run 22% lower than in Oxford, MS. 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 Oxford, MS?
On paper, salaries run 376% lower in Oxford, MS. 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 Oxford, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $934 in San Jose versus $1,295 in Oxford, MS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in San Jose or in Oxford, MS?
Shoppers in Oxford, MS pay roughly 24% 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 Oxford, MS?
All in, you'll spend $1,949 per month in San Jose versus $2,379 in Oxford, MS – a 22% 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 Oxford, MS?
At $1,949 in San Jose versus $2,379 in Oxford, MS, a $2,500 budget is realistic in San Jose but tight or insufficient in Oxford, MS. 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 Oxford, MS?
Both work as nomad bases, but San Jose delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,949 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 22% less than in Oxford, MS. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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