Florence vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Florence, 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 11% cheaper than Florence for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,140).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $1,000 in Florence.
- Florence scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Florence: 110 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Florence is mediterranean; San Jose is tropical.
Florence wins 3 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Florence or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,140/month in Florence, roughly 11% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Florence or San Jose?
Florence scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Florence or San Jose?
Florence has faster typical internet: 110 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Florence | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,140 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $1,000 | $900 |
| Food | $520 | $480 |
| Transport | $40 | $55 |
| Coworking | $160 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 110 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 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): Florence September 10, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.