Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Vazquez de Coronado and San Jose

For one person, living is cheaper in Vazquez de Coronado: $1,764 a month against $2,105 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $4,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Vazquez de Coronado, Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica
Vazquez de Coronado
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,764
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$2,105
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Vazquez de Coronado 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 Vazquez de Coronado and in San Jose actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,764 per month in Vazquez de Coronado vs $2,105 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Vazquez de Coronado $1,764
  • San Jose $2,105

A couple spends around $2,824 per month in Vazquez de Coronado vs $3,074 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Vazquez de Coronado $2,824
  • San Jose $3,074

A family of three spends $3,884 per month in Vazquez de Coronado vs $4,043 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Vazquez de Coronado $3,884
  • San Jose $4,043

Vazquez de Coronado is about 16% cheaper than San Jose, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Vazquez de Coronado and San Jose sit above the global median – Vazquez de Coronado by 30%, San Jose by 55%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.02 ₡5,426
$12.43 ₡5,609
-3.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.8 ₡27.4K
$60.9 ₡27.5K
-0.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.48 ₡5,180
$11.72 ₡5,288
-2.05%
Cappuccino
$4.38 ₡1,978
$4.47 ₡2,019
-2.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 ₡1,228
$2.75 ₡1,241
-1.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 ₡869
$1.92 ₡867
0.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.30 ₡1,491
$3.26 ₡1,470
1.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.55 ₡2,054
$4.45 ₡2,009
2.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.30 ₡1,038
$2.36 ₡1,063
-2.54%
White Bread (500g)
$3.05 ₡1,376
$3.09 ₡1,393
-1.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,092
$2.40 ₡1,083
0.83%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$3.44 ₡1,553
3.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.57 ₡4,770
$10.73 ₡4,841
-1.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.35 ₡4,670
$10.36 ₡4,674
-0.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.74 ₡6,201
$13.84 ₡6,243
-0.72%
Apples (1kg)
$5.03 ₡2,268
$5.15 ₡2,323
-2.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡740
$1.65 ₡746
-0.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.88 ₡2,200
$4.67 ₡2,109
4.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,733
$3.98 ₡1,798
-3.52%
Potato (1kg)
$3.92 ₡1,768
$3.90 ₡1,761
0.51%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,691
$3.65 ₡1,647
2.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 ₡507
$1.08 ₡487
3.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.24 ₡1,463
$3.10 ₡1,398
4.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.76 ₡2,597
$6.08 ₡2,745
-5.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.27 ₡9,146
$20.05 ₡9,047
1.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81 ₡1,269
$2.77 ₡1,252
1.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 ₡1,618
$3.69 ₡1,666
-2.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.25 ₡565
$1.12 ₡503
11.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$66.7 ₡30.1K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.40 ₡1,083
$2.49 ₡1,122
-3.61%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.62 ₡729
$1.63 ₡735
-0.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.85 ₡3,994
$8.47 ₡3,821
4.49%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 ₡686
$1.57 ₡708
-3.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8K ₡15.2M
$34.6K ₡15.6M
-2.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.6K ₡19.2M
$42.3K ₡19.1M
0.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.4 ₡43.5K
$93.2 ₡42.0K
3.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.34 ₡16.4K
$36.05 ₡16.3K
0.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.8 ₡26.5K
$59.1 ₡26.7K
-0.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.8 ₡29.2K
$69.0 ₡31.1K
-6.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$24.80 ₡11.2K
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.78 ₡3,510
$7.85 ₡3,543
-0.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$966 ₡435.9K
$996 ₡449.4K
-3.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.0K ₡7.7M
$17.0K ₡7.7M
-0.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.3 ₡32.2K
$70.1 ₡31.6K
1.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3 ₡24.9K
$55.2 ₡24.9K
0.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$127 ₡57.1K
$130 ₡58.5K
-2.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 ₡59.9K
$131 ₡59.2K
1.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$821 ₡370.3K
$1,164 ₡525.2K
-29.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$676 ₡304.8K
$945 ₡426.4K
-28.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,771 ₡799.0K
$1,993 ₡899.4K
-11.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,416 ₡639.1K
$1,404 ₡633.4K
0.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,727 ₡1.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,040 ₡920.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vazquez de Coronado
San Jose
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$1,011 ₡456.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
8.62
-

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

Last update for Vazquez de Coronado: October 25, 2026

Last update for San Jose: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Vazquez de Coronado
$676
San Jose
$945 39.9% $269
Groceries & Markets
Vazquez de Coronado
$400
San Jose
$399 0.2% $0.8
Eating Out
Vazquez de Coronado
$227
San Jose
$232 2.1% $4.7
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vazquez de Coronado
$192
San Jose
$188 1.7% $3.2
Clothing & Footwear
Vazquez de Coronado
$174
San Jose
$174 0.1% $0.2
Sport & Entertainment
Vazquez de Coronado
$80
San Jose
$85 5.4% $4.4
Getting Around
Vazquez de Coronado
$15 *
San Jose
$82 429% $66

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $821 in Vazquez de Coronado versus $1,164 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 $61 in Vazquez de Coronado versus $61 in San Jose. Groceries tell a different story – $400 in Vazquez de Coronado vs $399 in San Jose – so San Jose wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Vazquez de Coronado
🇨🇷 San Jose
🕒 Local time
17:13 5:13 PM
17:13 5:13 PM
Same time as Vazquez de Coronado
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
26,669
342,188 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 502 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.99 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Vazquez de Coronado San Jose 10 km
From you
  • Vazquez de Coronado
  • 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
Vazquez de Coronado vs San Jose: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vazquez de Coronado cheaper than San Jose?
Yes – San Jose is pricier by about 19%, 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 $2,646 per month in Vazquez de Coronado and $3,158 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 Vazquez de Coronado, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $821 there versus $1,164 in San Jose.
What are total monthly expenses in Vazquez de Coronado and in San Jose?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,764 in Vazquez de Coronado and $2,105 in San Jose. That makes Vazquez de Coronado about 16% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $966 per month in Vazquez de Coronado and $996 in San Jose. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 enough for either Vazquez de Coronado or San Jose?
$2,500 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,764 in Vazquez de Coronado and $2,105 in San Jose, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Vazquez de Coronado or San Jose more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Vazquez de Coronado – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Vazquez de Coronado vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?