Las Palmas vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Las Palmas, Spain 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
- Las Palmas is about 5% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,800 vs $1,900).
- Las Palmas scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Las Palmas: 300 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Las Palmas is mediterranean; San Jose is tropical.
Las Palmas wins 7 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Las Palmas or San Jose?
Las Palmas is cheaper: about $1,800/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Las Palmas or San Jose?
Las Palmas scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Las Palmas or San Jose?
Las Palmas has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Las Palmas | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,800 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $450 | $480 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Coworking | $130 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Las Palmas
Gran Canaria's nomad capital — year-round spring weather, beaches in the city, huge coworking scene.
Compare Las Palmas 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): Las Palmas November 5, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.