Ghent vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Ghent, Belgium 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 3% cheaper than Ghent for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $1,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $850 in Ghent against $900 in San Jose.
- Ghent scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Ghent: 180 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Ghent is temperate; San Jose is tropical.
Ghent wins 4 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ghent or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $1,950/month in Ghent, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Ghent or San Jose?
Ghent scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Ghent or San Jose?
Ghent has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Ghent | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,950 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $850 | $900 |
| Food | $490 | $480 |
| Transport | $50 | $55 |
| Coworking | $140 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 80 |
| Climate | temperate | 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): Ghent September 11, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.