Jan Thiel vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Jan Thiel, Curacao 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 6% cheaper than Jan Thiel for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,020).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $1,000 in Jan Thiel.
- Jan Thiel scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Jan Thiel: 130 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Jan Thiel is arid; San Jose is tropical.
Jan Thiel wins 4 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Jan Thiel or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,020/month in Jan Thiel, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Jan Thiel or San Jose?
Jan Thiel scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Jan Thiel or San Jose?
Jan Thiel has faster typical internet: 130 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Jan Thiel | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,020 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $1,000 | $900 |
| Food | $490 | $480 |
| Transport | $50 | $55 |
| Coworking | $110 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 130 | 80 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | island | 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): Jan Thiel September 11, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.