Canggu, Bali vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia 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
- Canggu, Bali is about 12% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,670 vs $1,900).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Canggu, Bali against $900 in San Jose.
- Canggu, Bali scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in San Jose: 80 Mbps typical against 55 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Canggu, Bali wins 6 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Canggu, Bali or San Jose?
Canggu, Bali is cheaper: about $1,670/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 12% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Canggu, Bali or San Jose?
Canggu, Bali scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Canggu, Bali or San Jose?
San Jose has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 55 Mbps in Canggu, Bali.
| Line | Canggu, Bali | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,670 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $720 | $900 |
| Food | $420 | $480 |
| Transport | $70 | $55 |
| Coworking | $120 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 55 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Canggu, Bali 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): Canggu, Bali November 11, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.