Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Somerset, KY

For one person, living is cheaper in Somerset, KY: $1,661 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $5,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Somerset, KY, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Somerset, KY
🇺🇸 United States
$1,661
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Somerset, KY

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

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $1,661 in Somerset, KY, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Somerset, KY $1,661

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,530 in Somerset, KY, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Somerset, KY $2,530

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $3,400 in Somerset, KY, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Somerset, KY $3,400

San Jose costs about 27% more than Somerset, KY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both San Jose and Somerset, KY sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Somerset, KY by 23%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$15.20 $15.20
-18.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$55.1 $55.1
13.13%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$8.42 $8.42
39.07%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$3.95 $3.95
14.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.28 $2.28
20.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$1.64 $1.64
13.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$3.42 $3.42
-2.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$3.90 $3.90
10.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.89 $0.89
165.17%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$2.78 $2.78
10.43%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$3.95 $3.95
-36.46%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$4.12 $4.12
-14.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$6.79 $6.79
55.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$8.74 $8.74
20.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$13.05 $13.05
6.67%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$5.64 $5.64
-7.80%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.23 $1.23
34.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$4.43 $4.43
10.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.76 $4.76
-19.33%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.66 $2.66
46.99%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$3.31 $3.31
13.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$1.98 $1.98
-43.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$1.48 $1.48
117.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$6.16 $6.16
-2.27%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$11.84 $11.84
67.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.06 $2.06
36.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$1.53 $1.53
138.56%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$1.74 $1.74
-37.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$63.1 $63.1
3.38%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.74 $3.74
-39.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.27 $1.27
40.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$25.13 $25.13
-68.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$0.93 $0.93
61.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$25.4K $25.4K
31.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$26.3K $26.3K
60.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$149 $149
-37.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$79.7 $79.7
-54.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$71.1 $71.1
-14.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$40.18 $40.18
71.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$8.08 $8.08
-5.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$661 $661
46.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$24.9K $24.9K
-24.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$24.77 $24.77
185.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$29.43 $29.43
92.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$55.5 $55.5
131.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$98.7 $98.7
32.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$620 $620
88.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$569 $569
65.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,059 $1,059
87.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,029 $1,029
36.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$2,840 $2,840
-5.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$2,341 $2,341
-12.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Somerset, KY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$4,578 $4,578
-78.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
5
72.40%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Somerset, KY: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Somerset, KY
$569 39.6% $374
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Somerset, KY
$327 18.9% $76
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Somerset, KY
$235 1% $2.4
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Somerset, KY
$300 57.8% $110
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Somerset, KY
$94 46.1% $80
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Somerset, KY
$56 33.1% $28
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Somerset, KY
$80 0.7% $0.6

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $620 in Somerset, KY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Somerset, KY are about 4.6 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 $55 in Somerset, KY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $327 – making Somerset, KY the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Somerset, KY
🕒 Local time
11:01 11:01 AM
12:01 12:01 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
11,924
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 Somerset, KY 3,020 km ≈ 4 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Somerset, KY

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 Somerset, KY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Somerset, KY cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – San Jose is pricier by about 27%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $2,491 in Somerset, KY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Somerset, KY, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $620 there versus $1,170 in San Jose.
Is eating out cheaper in San Jose or in Somerset, KY?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose and $55 in Somerset, KY. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in San Jose and in Somerset, KY?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,107 in San Jose and $1,661 in Somerset, KY. That makes Somerset, KY about 21% cheaper.
Is $2,500 enough for either San Jose or Somerset, KY?
$2,500 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $2,107 in San Jose and $1,661 in Somerset, KY, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is San Jose or Somerset, KY more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Somerset, KY – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Somerset, KY is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 21% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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