Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Three Rivers, MI and San Jose

For one person, living is cheaper in San Jose: $2,107 a month against $2,777 in Three Rivers, MI, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Three Rivers, MI, United States
San Jose, Costa Rica
Three Rivers, MI
🇺🇸 United States
$2,777
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,107
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Three Rivers, MI and in San Jose

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Three Rivers, MI and in San Jose actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,777 per month in Three Rivers, MI vs $2,107 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Three Rivers, MI $2,777
  • San Jose $2,107

A couple spends around $3,923 per month in Three Rivers, MI vs $3,081 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Three Rivers, MI $3,923
  • San Jose $3,081

A family of three spends $5,069 per month in Three Rivers, MI vs $4,054 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Three Rivers, MI $5,069
  • San Jose $4,054

Three Rivers, MI costs about 32% more than San Jose, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Three Rivers, MI and San Jose sit above the global median – Three Rivers, MI by 105%, San Jose by 56%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.74 $18.74
$12.37 ₡5,563
51.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 $60.2
$62.4 ₡28.0K
-3.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.10 $12.10
$11.71 ₡5,264
3.33%
Cappuccino
$4.97 $4.97
$4.54 ₡2,040
9.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99 $2.99
$2.75 ₡1,238
8.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 $2.09
$1.86 ₡837
12.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.39 $6.39
$3.35 ₡1,505
90.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.94 $7.94
$4.32 ₡1,944
83.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$2.36 ₡1,061
-61.02%
White Bread (500g)
$3.82 $3.82
$3.07 ₡1,379
24.43%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.02 $3.02
$2.51 ₡1,128
20.32%
Eggs
$3.66 $3.66
$3.53 ₡1,585
3.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.23 $13.23
$10.54 ₡4,738
25.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.29 $13.29
$10.57 ₡4,754
25.73%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.42 $14.42
$13.92 ₡6,261
3.59%
Apples (1kg)
$5.50 $5.50
$5.20 ₡2,338
5.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.86 $1.86
$1.65 ₡740
12.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.31 $3.31
$4.89 ₡2,198
-32.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.73 $2.73
$3.84 ₡1,728
-28.91%
Potato (1kg)
$2.07 $2.07
$3.91 ₡1,757
-47.06%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 $1.67
$3.76 ₡1,692
-55.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.90 $1.90
$1.12 ₡504
69.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.22 ₡1,447
-37.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.15 $10.15
$6.02 ₡2,706
68.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.02 $15.02
$19.84 ₡8,919
-24.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.13 $2.13
$2.81 ₡1,264
-24.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81 $3.81
$3.65 ₡1,643
4.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.08 ₡487
63.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$55.8 $55.8
$65.2 ₡29.3K
-14.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.26 ₡1,018
34.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 $1.56
$1.78 ₡799
-12.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.23 $26.23
$7.90 ₡3,551
232.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.50 ₡673
-21.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0K $30.0K
$33.5K ₡15.1M
-10.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$42.3K ₡19.0M
-38.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$199 $199
$93.2 ₡41.9K
113.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.7 $58.7
$36.13 ₡16.2K
62.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.0 $72.0
$60.6 ₡27.2K
18.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.99 $43.99
$68.9 ₡31.0K
-36.18%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$24.94 ₡11.2K
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.22 $13.22
$7.67 ₡3,449
72.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,987 $1,987
$972 ₡436.9K
104.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.0K $20.0K
$18.9K ₡8.5M
5.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.5 $56.5
$70.6 ₡31.8K
-19.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.13 $44.13
$56.7 ₡25.5K
-22.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 $113
$129 ₡57.8K
-12.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105 $105
$131 ₡58.8K
-20.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,592 $1,592
$1,170 ₡525.9K
36.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,468 $1,468
$943 ₡424.1K
55.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,471 $2,471
$1,984 ₡892.0K
24.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,276 $2,276
$1,400 ₡629.5K
62.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,074 $3,074
$2,681 ₡1.2M
14.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,614 $2,614
$2,037 ₡915.8K
28.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Three Rivers, MI
San Jose
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$987 ₡443.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
8.62
-23.43%

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

Last update for Three Rivers, MI: November 2, 2026

Last update for San Jose: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Three Rivers, MI
$1.5K
San Jose
$943 35.7% $525
Groceries & Markets
Three Rivers, MI
$379
San Jose
$403 6.3% $24
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Three Rivers, MI
$329
San Jose
$190 42.3% $139
Eating Out
Three Rivers, MI
$314
San Jose
$232 26% $82
Clothing & Footwear
Three Rivers, MI
$143
San Jose
$174 21.7% $31
Getting Around
Three Rivers, MI
$74
San Jose
$81 9.4% $6.9
Sport & Entertainment
Three Rivers, MI
$70
San Jose
$84 19.7% $14

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,592 in Three Rivers, MI versus $1,170 in San Jose. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $60 in Three Rivers, MI versus $62 in San Jose. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $379 vs $403 – making Three Rivers, MI the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Three Rivers, MI
🇨🇷 San Jose
🕒 Local time
09:16 9:16 AM
08:16 8:16 AM
1 h behind Three Rivers, MI
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
7,800
342,188 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Three Rivers, MI San Jose 3,560 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Three Rivers, MI
  • San Jose

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
Three Rivers, MI vs San Jose: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose cheaper than Three Rivers, MI?
Yes – Three Rivers, MI is pricier by about 32%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,166 per month in Three Rivers, MI and $3,161 in San Jose. 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 San Jose, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,170 there versus $1,592 in Three Rivers, MI.
Is eating out cheaper in Three Rivers, MI or in San Jose?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $60 in Three Rivers, MI and $62 in San Jose. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Three Rivers, MI and in San Jose?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,777 in Three Rivers, MI and $2,107 in San Jose. That makes San Jose about 24% cheaper.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Three Rivers, MI or in San Jose?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in San Jose, where all-in costs run around $2,107, than in Three Rivers, MI at $2,777. In San Jose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Three Rivers, MI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Three Rivers, MI or San Jose more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward San Jose – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Three Rivers, MI vs other spots: cost of living compared

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