Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Wichita Falls, TX and San Jose

For one person, living is cheaper in Wichita Falls, TX: $1,801 a month against $1,924 in San Jose, rent and utilities included – about $1,500 less a year. The total is higher in San Jose despite lower rent and utilities.

Wichita Falls, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$1,801
/mo nomad
San Jose
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,924
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Wichita Falls, TX 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 Wichita Falls, TX and in San Jose actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,801 per month in Wichita Falls, TX vs $1,924 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Wichita Falls, TX $1,801
  • San Jose $1,924

A couple spends around $2,745 per month in Wichita Falls, TX vs $2,926 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Wichita Falls, TX $2,745
  • San Jose $2,926

A family of three spends $3,690 per month in Wichita Falls, TX vs $3,929 in San Jose, rent included.

  • Wichita Falls, TX $3,690
  • San Jose $3,929

Wichita Falls, TX is about 6% cheaper than San Jose, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Wichita Falls, TX and San Jose sit above the global median – Wichita Falls, TX by 33%, San Jose by 42%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.77 $14.77
$12.29 ₡5,513
20.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.6 $59.6
$62.3 ₡27.9K
-4.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.91 $10.91
$11.53 ₡5,171
-5.38%
Cappuccino
$5.65 $5.65
$4.35 ₡1,953
29.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12 $3.12
$2.64 ₡1,183
18.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32 $2.32
$1.86 ₡836
24.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.88 $4.88
$3.32 ₡1,490
46.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.84 $7.84
$4.52 ₡2,026
73.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$2.39 ₡1,073
-59.83%
White Bread (500g)
$3.05 $3.05
$3.08 ₡1,381
-0.97%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.97 $3.97
$2.50 ₡1,119
58.80%
Eggs
$4.22 $4.22
$3.48 ₡1,562
21.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.38 $13.38
$10.74 ₡4,815
24.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.04 $9.04
$10.32 ₡4,629
-12.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.99 $10.99
$14.10 ₡6,325
-22.06%
Apples (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$5.03 ₡2,256
-14.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.36 $1.36
$1.59 ₡714
-14.47%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$4.84 ₡2,171
-35.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 $2.18
$3.96 ₡1,776
-44.95%
Potato (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$3.76 ₡1,684
-43.09%
Onion (1kg)
$2.95 $2.95
$3.73 ₡1,674
-20.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.62 $1.62
$1.08 ₡485
50.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.73 $2.73
$3.25 ₡1,456
-16.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.60 $8.60
$5.86 ₡2,627
46.76%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.14 $9.14
$20.28 ₡9,095
-54.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10 $1.10
$2.90 ₡1,300
-62.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 $1.46
$3.73 ₡1,673
-60.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.51 $1.51
$1.08 ₡486
39.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.22 $44.22
$65.5 ₡29.4K
-32.46%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 $1.27
$2.50 ₡1,123
-49.20%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.63 ₡732
-46.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$8.71 ₡3,904
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 $0.80
$1.58 ₡709
-49.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$33.6K ₡15.1M
-23.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$41.7K ₡18.7M
-39.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$244 $244
$93.7 ₡42.0K
160.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.8 $50.8
$35.42 ₡15.9K
43.37%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.9 $61.9
$60.0 ₡26.9K
3.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.78 $14.78
$72.6 ₡32.6K
-79.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.61 $19.61
$25.83 ₡11.6K
-24.08%
Cinema Ticket
$8.82 $8.82
$7.74 ₡3,471
13.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,583 $2,583
$1,005 ₡450.9K
156.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$16.9K ₡7.6M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9 $50.9
$73.1 ₡32.8K
-30.28%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.62 $40.62
$55.4 ₡24.9K
-26.73%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.0 $66.0
$128 ₡57.5K
-48.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.6 $98.6
$130 ₡58.5K
-24.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,043 $1,043
$932 ₡418.0K
11.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$638 $638
$760 ₡340.8K
-16.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,414 $1,414
$1,922 ₡862.0K
-26.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,229 $1,229
$1,276 ₡572.1K
-3.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,445 $1,445
$2,301 ₡1.0M
-37.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,383 $1,383
$1,833 ₡821.9K
-24.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wichita Falls, TX
San Jose
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,969 $3,969
$1,029 ₡461.3K
285.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
8.62
-25.29%

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

Last update for Wichita Falls, TX: October 18, 2026

Last update for San Jose: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Wichita Falls, TX
$638
San Jose
$760 19.1% $122
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wichita Falls, TX
$356
San Jose
$189 46.9% $167
Groceries & Markets
Wichita Falls, TX
$323
San Jose
$403 25% $81
Eating Out
Wichita Falls, TX
$280
San Jose
$229 18.4% $52
Clothing & Footwear
Wichita Falls, TX
$115
San Jose
$174 51.2% $59
Getting Around
Wichita Falls, TX
$56
San Jose
$80 44% $25
Sport & Entertainment
Wichita Falls, TX
$32
San Jose
$88 172% $56

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,043 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $932 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.

Salaries run about 286% higher in Wichita Falls, TX, 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 $60.0 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $62.0 in San Jose. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $323 vs $403 – making Wichita Falls, TX the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Wichita Falls, TX
🇨🇷 San Jose
🕒 Local time
17:20 5:20 PM
16:20 4:20 PM
1 h behind Wichita Falls, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
102,316
342,188 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Wichita Falls, TX San Jose 3,040 km ≈ 4 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Wichita Falls, TX
  • 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
Wichita Falls, TX vs San Jose: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose cheaper than Wichita Falls, TX?
Yes – San Jose is pricier by about 7%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,701 per month in Wichita Falls, TX and $2,886 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 Wichita Falls, TX, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Wichita Falls, TX or in San Jose?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Wichita Falls, TX and $62.0 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 Wichita Falls, TX and in San Jose?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,801 in Wichita Falls, TX and $1,924 in San Jose. That's a gap of about 7%.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Wichita Falls, TX or in San Jose?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Wichita Falls, TX, where all-in costs run around $1,801, than in San Jose at $1,924. In Wichita Falls, TX it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Jose it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Wichita Falls, TX or San Jose more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Wichita Falls, TX – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Wichita Falls, TX. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Jose makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Wichita Falls, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared

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