Cost of Living in San Jose - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $923 (excluding rent), and $1,561 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,293 (excluding rent), and $3,430 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.79 ₡5,272

$6.87 ₡3,354

$21.58 ₡10.5K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.9 ₡28.8K

$39.29 ₡19.2K

$98.2 ₡48K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.77 ₡4,775

$11.72 ₡5,725

Cappuccino

$3.89 ₡1,902

$2.03 ₡991

$7.06 ₡3,447

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 ₡1,003

$1.59 ₡775

$3.03 ₡1,480

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 ₡778

$1.17 ₡571

$1.96 ₡956

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.91 ₡1,422

$1.94 ₡949

$4.85 ₡2,371

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.56 ₡2,227

$2.91 ₡1,421

$5.83 ₡2,847

Milk (1 liter)

$1.99 ₡972

$1.47 ₡720

$2.75 ₡1,344

White Bread (500g)

$2.84 ₡1,388

$1.24 ₡608

$4.4 ₡2,148

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.17 ₡1,059

$1.77 ₡866

$3.94 ₡1,925

Eggs

$2.97 ₡1,451

$2 ₡976

$3.99 ₡1,951

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.09 ₡4,927

$4.03 ₡1,971

$20.16 ₡9,849

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.2 ₡4,494

$5.01 ₡2,449

$11.03 ₡5,391

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.58 ₡6,633

$10.07 ₡4,920

$15.8 ₡7,720

Apples (1kg)

$4.43 ₡2,165

$2.74 ₡1,337

$5.88 ₡2,872

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ₡741

$0.62 ₡300

$2.45 ₡1,197

Oranges (1kg)

$4.3 ₡2,102

$2.01 ₡982

$6.03 ₡2,946

Tomato (1kg)

$3.42 ₡1,669

$1.94 ₡949

$7.77 ₡3,797

Potato (1kg)

$3.4 ₡1,659

$1.87 ₡913

$6.81 ₡3,327

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 ₡1,509

$1.94 ₡947

$4.43 ₡2,166

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 ₡466

$0.83 ₡405

$0.95 ₡466

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 ₡1,376

$2.14 ₡1,047

$3.4 ₡1,663

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.38 ₡2,626

$4.06 ₡1,983

$5.68 ₡2,776

Wine (Bottle)

$18.2 ₡8,891

$10.11 ₡4,940

$30.32 ₡14.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 ₡1,198

$1.66 ₡810

$2.99 ₡1,460

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 ₡1,429

$2.11 ₡1,031

$5.68 ₡2,774

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 ₡500

$0.83 ₡404

$1.33 ₡651

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.08 ₡20.6K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ₡873

$1.36 ₡663

$1.94 ₡949

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 ₡908

$1.41 ₡688

$2.42 ₡1,182

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.74 ₡3,781

$6.93 ₡3,388

$8.78 ₡4,289

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡688

$1.3 ₡635

$1.47 ₡717

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$38.4K ₡18.8M

$37.3K ₡18.2M

$40.7K ₡19.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.1K ₡15.7M

$34.3K ₡16.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$93.7 ₡45.8K

$59.6 ₡29.1K

$129 ₡63.1K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.61 ₡12.5K

$19.66 ₡9,606

$49.16 ₡24K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.2 ₡29.4K

$40.16 ₡19.6K

$84.3 ₡41.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.7 ₡28.2K

$40.37 ₡19.7K

$101 ₡49.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.63 ₡18.9K

$20.08 ₡9,812

$75.7 ₡37K

Cinema Ticket

$9.94 ₡4,854

$7.95 ₡3,883

$14.9 ₡7,278

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$575 ₡280.7K

$402 ₡196.4K

$935 ₡456.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.1M

$9,849 ₡4.8M

$19.3K ₡9.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.9 ₡30.7K

$40.04 ₡19.6K

$120 ₡58.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 ₡25.6K

$40.79 ₡19.9K

$71 ₡34.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$127 ₡62.1K

$90.3 ₡44.1K

$151 ₡73.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡52.7K

$49.97 ₡24.4K

$160 ₡78.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$869 ₡424.4K

$534 ₡260.9K

$1,193 ₡583K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$526 ₡256.9K

$352 ₡171.9K

$782 ₡381.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,463 ₡714.9K

$910 ₡444.4K

$2,033 ₡993.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,038 ₡507K

$701 ₡342.3K

$1,610 ₡786.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,491 ₡1.2M

$2,467 ₡1.2M

$2,637 ₡1.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,437 ₡702.2K

$1,285 ₡627.9K

$1,694 ₡827.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$942 ₡460.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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Cost of Living in San Jose - Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose, Costa Rica offers a middle-ground cost profile with plenty of room to tailor to your budget. If you choose a modest apartment and cook at home, everyday expenses stay manageable, while premium coworking spaces or longer leases can push monthly costs higher. Neighborhood choice matters: central districts with easy transit and amenities tend to be pricier than calmer outskirts. Seasonal tourism can nudge prices for short stays, but long-term rentals often stabilize. A quick reference is the Cost of Living in San Jose, Costa Rica to compare options. Tip: Map your daily routines to identify where savings come from and test neighborhoods before committing.

Daily life in San Jose unfolds around practical choices. For housing, search in districts that balance safety, walkability, and transit access – central cores for activities or quieter neighborhoods a short ride away. Food is abundant: markets, fruit stands, and affordable eateries let you eat well without breaking the budget. Transport leans on bus networks, rideshares, and bike lanes in chosen areas; many digital nomads favor coworking hubs that reduce commute times. Plan errands by grouping trips to nearby amenities to save time and fuel. San Jose, Costa Rica living cost can shift with location, so adjust weekly plans accordingly. Tip: Build a simple weekly route to minimize backtracking.

Quality of life in San Jose rewards planning and flexibility. Use a simple budgeting framework: fixed essentials, a flexible lifestyle fund, and occasional splurges to keep motivation high. Save by sharing utilities in larger units, cooking at home, and taking advantage of free or low-cost city events. Seasonality affects outdoor activities and clothing needs, so adjust plans and wardrobes accordingly. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: a busy center for social life or a peaceful hillside area for uninterrupted work time. Tip: Prioritize reliable wifi and safety when choosing a neighborhood, and try a few blocks before signing a lease.