Cost of Living in San Jose - Updated Prices & Insights

66.3

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $941 (excluding rent), and $1,572 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,333 (excluding rent), and $3,386 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.88 ₡5,449

$6.92 ₡3,466

$21.77 ₡10.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.9 ₡30K

$39.95 ₡20K

$99.9 ₡50K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.19 ₡5,100

$12.22 ₡6,115

Cappuccino

$3.91 ₡1,959

$2.04 ₡1,020

$7.09 ₡3,551

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

$2 ₡1,002

$1.55 ₡773

$2.95 ₡1,478

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 ₡825

$1.21 ₡606

$2.02 ₡1,013

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.96 ₡1,484

$1.98 ₡991

$4.94 ₡2,474

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.56 ₡2,283

$2.91 ₡1,457

$5.83 ₡2,919

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ₡1,014

$1.5 ₡751

$2.8 ₡1,402

White Bread (500g)

$2.81 ₡1,406

$1.23 ₡616

$4.35 ₡2,176

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.23 ₡1,117

$1.82 ₡913

$4.06 ₡2,031

Eggs

$3.02 ₡1,511

$2.03 ₡1,016

$4.06 ₡2,032

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.72 ₡4,867

$3.89 ₡1,947

$19.44 ₡9,730

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.06 ₡4,537

$4.94 ₡2,472

$10.87 ₡5,442

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.88 ₡6,950

$10.3 ₡5,155

$16.16 ₡8,088

Apples (1kg)

$4.49 ₡2,246

$2.77 ₡1,388

$5.95 ₡2,980

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 ₡756

$0.61 ₡306

$2.44 ₡1,221

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 ₡2,174

$2.03 ₡1,016

$6.09 ₡3,047

Tomato (1kg)

$3.59 ₡1,795

$2.04 ₡1,021

$8.15 ₡4,082

Potato (1kg)

$3.56 ₡1,783

$1.96 ₡982

$7.15 ₡3,577

Onion (1kg)

$3.26 ₡1,632

$2.05 ₡1,025

$4.68 ₡2,342

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.97 ₡486

$0.84 ₡422

$0.97 ₡486

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.91 ₡1,458

$2.22 ₡1,109

$3.52 ₡1,762

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.13 ₡2,567

$3.87 ₡1,939

$5.42 ₡2,713

Wine (Bottle)

$20.17 ₡10.1K

$13.11 ₡6,564

$30.26 ₡15.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.41 ₡1,206

$1.63 ₡815

$2.93 ₡1,469

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ₡1,423

$2.05 ₡1,026

$5.52 ₡2,762

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 ₡517

$0.83 ₡418

$1.34 ₡673

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.88 ₡21K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ₡907

$1.38 ₡689

$1.97 ₡986

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 ₡928

$1.41 ₡704

$2.41 ₡1,208

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.78 ₡3,894

$6.97 ₡3,489

$8.82 ₡4,417

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡704

$1.3 ₡650

$1.47 ₡734

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

$38K ₡19M

$36.9K ₡18.5M

$40.2K ₡20.1M

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

$32.5K ₡16.3M

$34.7K ₡17.4M

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

$92.3 ₡46.2K

$58.7 ₡29.4K

$127 ₡63.7K

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

$25.87 ₡13K

$19.86 ₡9,944

$49.66 ₡24.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.8 ₡30.4K

$40.52 ₡20.3K

$85.1 ₡42.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.2 ₡28.6K

$40.06 ₡20.1K

$100 ₡50.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.62 ₡19.3K

$20.08 ₡10.1K

$75.7 ₡37.9K

Cinema Ticket

$10.02 ₡5,017

$8.02 ₡4,014

$15.03 ₡7,523

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

$578 ₡289.4K

$404 ₡202.5K

$940 ₡470.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.3M

$9,834 ₡4.9M

$19.2K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.8 ₡30.9K

$39.37 ₡19.7K

$118 ₡59.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.4 ₡25.7K

$39.92 ₡20K

$69.5 ₡34.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡64.3K

$91.3 ₡45.7K

$152 ₡76.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 ₡54.5K

$50.4 ₡25.3K

$161 ₡80.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$866 ₡433.4K

$532 ₡266.4K

$1,189 ₡595.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$542 ₡271.1K

$362 ₡181.4K

$805 ₡403K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,458 ₡730K

$907 ₡453.8K

$2,026 ₡1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,016 ₡508.5K

$686 ₡343.3K

$1,576 ₡789K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,915 ₡1.5M

$2,186 ₡1.1M

$3,975 ₡2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,737 ₡869.4K

$1,517 ₡759.2K

$2,011 ₡1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$979 ₡490.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

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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.