Bologna vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Bologna, Italy 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
- San Jose is about 4% cheaper than Bologna for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $1,970).
- Bologna scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Bologna: 120 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Bologna is temperate; San Jose is tropical.
Bologna wins 3 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bologna or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $1,970/month in Bologna, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bologna or San Jose?
Bologna scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Bologna or San Jose?
Bologna has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Bologna | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,970 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $480 | $480 |
| Transport | $40 | $55 |
| Coworking | $150 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 80 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Bologna with
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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): Bologna September 10, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.