Funchal vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Funchal, Portugal 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
- Funchal is about 11% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,700 vs $1,900).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $850 in Funchal against $900 in San Jose.
- Funchal scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Funchal: 100 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Funchal is mediterranean; San Jose is tropical.
Funchal wins 7 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Funchal or San Jose?
Funchal is cheaper: about $1,700/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 11% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Funchal or San Jose?
Funchal scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Funchal or San Jose?
Funchal has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Funchal | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,700 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $850 | $900 |
| Food | $430 | $480 |
| Transport | $40 | $55 |
| Coworking | $120 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Funchal
Madeira's capital and home of the original Digital Nomad Village — safe, scenic, EU-based.
Compare Funchal 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): Funchal November 9, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.