Montreal vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Montreal, Canada 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 Montreal for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $1,200 in Montreal.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Montreal: 250 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Montreal is continental; San Jose is tropical.
Montreal wins 1 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Montreal or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,500/month in Montreal, roughly 24% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Montreal or San Jose?
Montreal and San Jose score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Montreal or San Jose?
Montreal has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Montreal | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,500 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $1,200 | $900 |
| Food | $560 | $480 |
| Transport | $80 | $55 |
| Coworking | $170 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 80 |
| Climate | continental | 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): Montreal September 11, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.