Amman vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Amman, Jordan and San Jose, Costa Rica, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Amman is about 21% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $1,900).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Amman against $900 in San Jose.
- Amman scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in San Jose: 80 Mbps typical against 45 Mbps.
- Amman is arid; San Jose is tropical.
Amman wins 4 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amman or San Jose?
Amman is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 21% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amman or San Jose?
Amman scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Amman or San Jose?
San Jose has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 45 Mbps in Amman.
| Line | Amman | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $650 | $900 |
| Food | $350 | $480 |
| Transport | $90 | $55 |
| Coworking | $150 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 45 | 80 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Amman with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Amman November 6, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.