Oaxaca vs San Juan del Sur: cost of living for digital nomads
Oaxaca, Mexico and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, 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 Juan del Sur is about 3% cheaper than Oaxaca for a month of nomad living ($1,170 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in San Juan del Sur against $520 in Oaxaca.
- Oaxaca scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Oaxaca is temperate; San Juan del Sur is tropical.
Oaxaca wins 2 of the measured lines; San Juan del Sur wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Oaxaca or San Juan del Sur?
San Juan del Sur is cheaper: about $1,170/month against $1,200/month in Oaxaca, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Oaxaca or San Juan del Sur?
Oaxaca scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for San Juan del Sur.
Which has faster internet, Oaxaca or San Juan del Sur?
Oaxaca and San Juan del Sur have about the same typical internet speed, 50 Mbps.
| Line | Oaxaca | San Juan del Sur |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,170 |
| Rent | $520 | $500 |
| Food | $340 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 50 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | small |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
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): Oaxaca November 8, 2026, San Juan del Sur September 10, 2026.