Lisbon vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Lisbon, 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
- San Jose is about 24% cheaper than Lisbon for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Lisbon: 120 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Lisbon is mediterranean; San Jose is tropical.
Lisbon wins 4 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lisbon or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,500/month in Lisbon, roughly 24% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or San Jose?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Lisbon or San Jose?
Lisbon has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Lisbon | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,500 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $1,400 | $900 |
| Food | $500 | $480 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Coworking | $150 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 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): Lisbon November 1, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.