Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Rimouski,QC

For one person, living is cheaper in Rimouski,QC: $1,401 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $8,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Rimouski,QC, Canada
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Rimouski,QC
🇨🇦 Canada
$1,401
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Rimouski,QC

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

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $1,401 in Rimouski,QC, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Rimouski,QC $1,401

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,055 in Rimouski,QC, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Rimouski,QC $2,055

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $2,708 in Rimouski,QC, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Rimouski,QC $2,708

San Jose costs about 50% more than Rimouski,QC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both San Jose and Rimouski,QC sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Rimouski,QC by 4%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$11.93 CA$16.78
3.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$55.8 CA$78.4
11.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$7.95 CA$11.18
47.30%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$3.54 CA$4.98
28.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.07 CA$2.92
32.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.44 CA$2.03
29.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$5.37 CA$7.56
-37.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$4.20 CA$5.90
2.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$2.18 CA$3.07
8.26%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$2.10 CA$2.95
46.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$4.14 CA$5.83
-39.37%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$2.47 CA$3.47
42.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$7.74 CA$10.89
36.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$9.06 CA$12.74
16.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$10.32 CA$14.51
34.88%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$2.87 CA$4.04
81.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.11 CA$1.56
48.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$3.93 CA$5.53
24.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.04 CA$5.68
-4.95%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$1.86 CA$2.62
110.22%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$2.64 CA$3.72
42.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.16 CA$3.04
-48.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$1.44 CA$2.03
123.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$14.76 CA$20.76
-59.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$9.44 CA$13.27
110.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$1.94 CA$2.72
44.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$1.27 CA$1.78
187.40%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$2.35 CA$3.30
-54.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$2.92 CA$4.10
-22.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.43 CA$2.02
24.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$35.00 CA$49.22
-77.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.23 CA$1.73
21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$28.1K CA$39.6K
18.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$22.2K CA$31.2K
90.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$101 CA$142
-7.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$31.35 CA$44.09
15.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$45.63 CA$64.2
32.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$32.68 CA$45.96
110.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$11.02 CA$15.50
-30.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$679 CA$955
43.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$5,385 CA$7,573
250.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$55.2 CA$77.6
28.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$45.70 CA$64.3
24.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$89.8 CA$126
43.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$108 CA$152
21.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$870 CA$1,223
34.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$510 CA$717
85.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,137 CA$1,599
74.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$677 CA$952
106.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Rimouski,QC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$2,689 CA$3,782
-63.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
4.45
93.71%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Rimouski,QC: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Rimouski,QC
$510 46% $434
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Rimouski,QC
$294 27.1% $109
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Rimouski,QC
$211 9.2% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Rimouski,QC
$178 6.2% $12
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Rimouski,QC
$134 22.8% $40
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Rimouski,QC
$55 35.1% $30
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Rimouski,QC
$19 * 75.9% $61

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $870 in Rimouski,QC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Rimouski,QC are about 2.7 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose versus $56 in Rimouski,QC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $294 – making Rimouski,QC the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇨🇦 Rimouski,QC
🕒 Local time
16:26 4:26 PM
17:26 5:26 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
46,935
💱 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 = 502 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.99 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.711 USD). 1 EUR = 1.57 CAD (1 CAD = 0.636 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Rimouski,QC 4,520 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Rimouski,QC

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 Rimouski,QC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Jose or Rimouski,QC?
San Jose costs about 50% more than Rimouski,QC, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in San Jose and in Rimouski,QC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $2,101 in Rimouski,QC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, San Jose or Rimouski,QC?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rimouski,QC, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $870 there versus $1,170 in San Jose.
How do dining costs compare in San Jose and in Rimouski,QC?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose and $56 in Rimouski,QC. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in San Jose or in Rimouski,QC?
Groceries cost about 37% more in San Jose, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,000/month in San Jose or in Rimouski,QC?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,107 in San Jose and $1,401 in Rimouski,QC. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Rimouski,QC – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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