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.

LineFunchalSan Jose
Monthly total (USD)$1,700$1,900
Rent$850$900
Food$430$480
Transport$40$55
Coworking$120$140
Safety (out of 10)9/107/10
Internet (Mbps)10080
Climatemediterraneantropical
City sizemidmetro
Settingislandinland
Nomad score (out of 10)8/108/10

Funchal

Madeira's capital and home of the original Digital Nomad Village — safe, scenic, EU-based.

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.