Port Louis vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Port Louis, Mauritius 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
- Port Louis is about 16% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,600 vs $1,900).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Port Louis against $900 in San Jose.
- Port Louis scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in San Jose: 80 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Port Louis wins 5 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Port Louis or San Jose?
Port Louis is cheaper: about $1,600/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 16% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Port Louis or San Jose?
Port Louis scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Port Louis or San Jose?
San Jose has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Port Louis.
| Line | Port Louis | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,600 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $720 | $900 |
| Food | $430 | $480 |
| Transport | $55 | $55 |
| Coworking | $130 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 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): Port Louis November 2, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.