Marrakech vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Marrakech, Morocco 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
- Marrakech is about 37% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,900).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $520 in Marrakech against $900 in San Jose.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in San Jose: 80 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Marrakech is arid; San Jose is tropical.
Marrakech wins 5 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Marrakech or San Jose?
Marrakech is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 37% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Marrakech or San Jose?
Marrakech and San Jose score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Marrakech or San Jose?
San Jose has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Marrakech.
| Line | Marrakech | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $520 | $900 |
| Food | $340 | $480 |
| Transport | $40 | $55 |
| Coworking | $100 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 80 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 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): Marrakech November 9, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.