Madrid vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Madrid, 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
- San Jose is about 21% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $1,250 in Madrid.
- Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Madrid is mediterranean; San Jose is tropical.
Madrid wins 3 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Madrid or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 21% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Madrid or San Jose?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Madrid or San Jose?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Madrid | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $1,250 | $900 |
| Food | $520 | $480 |
| Transport | $55 | $55 |
| Coworking | $150 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 80 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 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): Madrid November 1, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.