Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between San Jose and Trois-Rivieres, QC

For one person, living is cheaper in Trois-Rivieres, QC: $1,434 a month against $2,107 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $8,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Trois-Rivieres, QC
🇨🇦 Canada
$1,434
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Jose and in Trois-Rivieres, 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 Trois-Rivieres, QC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,107 per month in San Jose vs $1,434 in Trois-Rivieres, QC, rent included.

  • San Jose $2,107
  • Trois-Rivieres, QC $1,434

A couple spends around $3,081 per month in San Jose vs $2,432 in Trois-Rivieres, QC, rent included.

  • San Jose $3,081
  • Trois-Rivieres, QC $2,432

A family of three spends $4,054 per month in San Jose vs $3,430 in Trois-Rivieres, QC, rent included.

  • San Jose $4,054
  • Trois-Rivieres, QC $3,430

San Jose costs about 47% more than Trois-Rivieres, QC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both San Jose and Trois-Rivieres, QC sit above the global median – San Jose by 56%, Trois-Rivieres, QC by 6%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.37 ₡5,563
$12.71 CA$17.88
-2.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.4 ₡28.0K
$58.0 CA$81.5
7.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.71 ₡5,264
$10.52 CA$14.79
11.31%
Cappuccino
$4.54 ₡2,040
$3.14 CA$4.41
44.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 ₡1,238
$1.37 CA$1.93
100.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₡837
$0.72 CA$1.01
158.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.35 ₡1,505
$4.22 CA$5.93
-20.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 ₡1,944
$3.94 CA$5.55
9.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.36 ₡1,061
$1.39 CA$1.95
69.78%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 ₡1,379
$2.72 CA$3.83
12.87%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,128
$5.26 CA$7.39
-52.28%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$2.88 CA$4.05
22.57%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 ₡4,738
$8.52 CA$11.99
23.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,754
$9.83 CA$13.82
7.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.92 ₡6,261
$10.83 CA$15.23
28.53%
Apples (1kg)
$5.20 ₡2,338
$4.21 CA$5.92
23.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 ₡740
$1.26 CA$1.77
30.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.89 ₡2,198
$4.81 CA$6.76
1.66%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,728
$4.63 CA$6.51
-17.06%
Potato (1kg)
$3.91 ₡1,757
$2.17 CA$3.06
80.18%
Onion (1kg)
$3.76 ₡1,692
$1.99 CA$2.80
88.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡504
$2.13 CA$3.00
-47.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.22 ₡1,447
$2.78 CA$3.91
15.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.02 ₡2,706
$12.27 CA$17.26
-50.94%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.84 ₡8,919
$12.38 CA$17.42
60.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,264
$2.94 CA$4.14
-4.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65 ₡1,643
$3.28 CA$4.61
11.28%
🚌 Getting Around
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.08 ₡487
$2.88 CA$4.04
-62.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.2 ₡29.3K
$55.5 CA$78.1
17.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$3.42 CA$4.81
-33.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡799
$2.03 CA$2.86
-12.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ₡3,551
$32.62 CA$45.88
-75.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 ₡673
$1.16 CA$1.64
29.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K ₡15.1M
$28.6K CA$40.2K
17.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3K ₡19.0M
$20.6K CA$28.9K
105.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.2 ₡41.9K
$63.0 CA$88.7
47.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.13 ₡16.2K
$35.97 CA$50.6
0.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$43.06 CA$60.6
40.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.9 ₡31.0K
$24.68 CA$34.71
179.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94 ₡11.2K
$10.87 CA$15.28
129.44%
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 ₡3,449
$10.86 CA$15.27
-29.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 ₡436.9K
$742 CA$1,043
31.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.9K ₡8.5M
$51.8K CA$72.9K
-63.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 ₡31.8K
$49.77 CA$70.0
41.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 ₡25.5K
$27.26 CA$38.34
107.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$129 ₡57.8K
$59.6 CA$83.8
115.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 ₡58.8K
$93.8 CA$132
39.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 ₡525.9K
$638 CA$898
83.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$943 ₡424.1K
$503 CA$707
87.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,984 ₡892.0K
$1,064 CA$1,496
86.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 ₡629.5K
$1,260 CA$1,772
11.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,681 ₡1.2M
$2,292 CA$3,223
16.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,037 ₡915.8K
$2,297 CA$3,231
-11.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Jose
Trois-Rivieres, QC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$987 ₡443.6K
$2,609 CA$3,669
-62.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
4.64
85.78%

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

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Last update for Trois-Rivieres, QC: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
San Jose
$943
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$503 46.7% $441
Groceries & Markets
San Jose
$403
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$350 13% $52
Eating Out
San Jose
$232
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$208 10.4% $24
Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Jose
$190
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$142 25.2% $48
Clothing & Footwear
San Jose
$174
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$104 40.4% $70
Sport & Entertainment
San Jose
$84
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$46 44.9% $38
Getting Around
San Jose
$81
Trois-Rivieres, QC
$81 0.1% $0.1

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,170 in San Jose versus $638 in Trois-Rivieres, 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 Trois-Rivieres, QC are about 2.6 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 $58 in Trois-Rivieres, QC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $350 – making Trois-Rivieres, QC the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇨🇦 Trois-Rivieres, QC
🕒 Local time
17:19 5:19 PM
18:19 6:19 PM
1 h ahead of San Jose
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
342,188 Capital
139,163
💱 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 Trois-Rivieres, QC 4,190 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • San Jose
  • Trois-Rivieres, 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 Trois-Rivieres, QC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trois-Rivieres, QC cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – San Jose is pricier by about 47%, 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 $2,151 in Trois-Rivieres, QC. 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 Trois-Rivieres, QC, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $638 there versus $1,170 in San Jose.
Is eating out cheaper in San Jose or in Trois-Rivieres, QC?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $62 in San Jose and $58 in Trois-Rivieres, QC. 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 Trois-Rivieres, QC?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,107 in San Jose and $1,434 in Trois-Rivieres, QC. That makes Trois-Rivieres, QC about 32% cheaper.
Is $1,000 enough to cover costs in San Jose or in Trois-Rivieres, QC?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,107 in San Jose and $1,434 in Trois-Rivieres, QC. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is San Jose or Trois-Rivieres, QC more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Trois-Rivieres, QC – 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, Trois-Rivieres, QC is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 32% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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