Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Terre Haute, IN

For one person, living is cheaper in Terre Haute, IN: $1,905 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $2,400 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Terre Haute, IN, United States
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Terre Haute, IN
🇺🇸 United States
$1,905
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Terre Haute, IN

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 Terre Haute, IN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $1,905 in Terre Haute, IN, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Terre Haute, IN $1,905

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,779 in Terre Haute, IN, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Terre Haute, IN $2,779

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $3,652 in Terre Haute, IN, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Terre Haute, IN $3,652

San Jose costs about 11% more than Terre Haute, IN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both San Jose and Terre Haute, IN sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Terre Haute, IN by 41%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$17.05 $17.05
-27.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$55.9 $55.9
11.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$8.91 $8.91
31.43%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$5.04 $5.04
-9.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$2.68 $2.68
2.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$2.11 $2.11
-11.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$4.94 $4.94
-32.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$6.08 $6.08
-28.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$0.71 $0.71
232.39%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$1.95 $1.95
57.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$2.41 $2.41
4.15%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$3.27 $3.27
7.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$10.41 $10.41
1.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$13.31 $13.31
-20.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$11.77 $11.77
18.27%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$5.34 $5.34
-2.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.55 $1.55
6.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$3.38 $3.38
44.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.95 $4.95
-22.42%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.00 $2.00
95.50%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$2.46 $2.46
52.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$1.95 $1.95
-42.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$1.94 $1.94
65.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$7.98 $7.98
-24.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$12.36 $12.36
60.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$1.92 $1.92
46.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$2.44 $2.44
49.59%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$0.59 $0.59
83.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.34 $3.34
-32.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$1.76 $1.76
1.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$24.61 $24.61
-67.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$0.84 $0.84
78.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$35.4K $35.4K
-5.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$26.5K $26.5K
59.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$190 $190
-50.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$42.81 $42.81
-15.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$61.0 $61.0
-0.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$25.42 $25.42
171.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$11.67 $11.67
-34.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$1,799 $1,799
-45.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$40.3K $40.3K
-53.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$40.32 $40.32
75.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$51.2 $51.2
10.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$105 $105
22.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$63.6 $63.6
105.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$850 $850
37.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$814 $814
15.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,297 $1,297
52.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,307 $1,307
7.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$1,244 $1,244
115.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$1,231 $1,231
65.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Terre Haute, IN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$3,296 $3,296
-70.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.66
29.43%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Terre Haute, IN: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Terre Haute, IN
$814 13.7% $129
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Terre Haute, IN
$338 16.1% $65
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Terre Haute, IN
$280 20.3% $47
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Terre Haute, IN
$293 54.5% $104
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Terre Haute, IN
$117 32.8% $57
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Terre Haute, IN
$49 42.1% $36
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Terre Haute, IN
$15 * 82% $66

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 $850 in Terre Haute, IN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Terre Haute, IN are about 3.3 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 Terre Haute, IN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $338 – making Terre Haute, IN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇺🇸 Terre Haute, IN
🕒 Local time
13:37 1:37 PM
14:37 2:37 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
57,259
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 = 502 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.99 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.895 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • San Jose Terre Haute, IN 3,300 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Terre Haute, IN

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 Terre Haute, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terre Haute, IN cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – San Jose is pricier by about 11%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,161 per month in San Jose and $2,858 in Terre Haute, IN. 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 Terre Haute, IN, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $850 there versus $1,170 in San Jose.
What are total monthly expenses in San Jose and in Terre Haute, IN?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,107 in San Jose and $1,905 in Terre Haute, IN. That makes Terre Haute, IN about 10% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $972 per month in San Jose and $1,799 in Terre Haute, IN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is it better to live in San Jose or in Terre Haute, IN?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,905 in Terre Haute, IN to $2,107 in San Jose. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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