Dubrovnik vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Dubrovnik, Croatia 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 2% cheaper than Dubrovnik for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $1,945).
- Dubrovnik scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Dubrovnik: 110 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Dubrovnik is mediterranean; San Jose is tropical.
Dubrovnik wins 4 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Dubrovnik or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $1,945/month in Dubrovnik, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Dubrovnik or San Jose?
Dubrovnik scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Dubrovnik or San Jose?
Dubrovnik has faster typical internet: 110 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Dubrovnik | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,945 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $470 | $480 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Coworking | $140 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 110 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
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): Dubrovnik September 11, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.