Rodney Bay vs San Jose: cost of living for digital nomads
Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia 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 2% cheaper than Rodney Bay for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $1,940).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $950 in Rodney Bay.
- Rodney Bay scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Rodney Bay: 120 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Rodney Bay wins 4 of the measured lines; San Jose wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Rodney Bay or San Jose?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $1,940/month in Rodney Bay, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Rodney Bay or San Jose?
Rodney Bay scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, Rodney Bay or San Jose?
Rodney Bay has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | Rodney Bay | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,940 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $950 | $900 |
| Food | $480 | $480 |
| Transport | $50 | $55 |
| Coworking | $100 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | 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): Rodney Bay September 11, 2026, San Jose November 7, 2026.