San Jose vs City of San Marino: cost of living for digital nomads
San Jose, Costa Rica and City of San Marino, San Marino, 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 1% cheaper than City of San Marino for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $1,920).
- City of San Marino scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in City of San Marino: 110 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- San Jose is tropical; City of San Marino is temperate.
San Jose wins 2 of the measured lines; City of San Marino wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, San Jose or City of San Marino?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $1,920/month in City of San Marino, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, San Jose or City of San Marino?
City of San Marino scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, San Jose or City of San Marino?
City of San Marino has faster typical internet: 110 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | San Jose | City of San Marino |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,900 | $1,920 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $480 | $470 |
| Transport | $55 | $40 |
| Coworking | $140 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 110 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 5/10 |
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): San Jose November 7, 2026, City of San Marino September 10, 2026.