San Jose vs San Pedro: cost of living for digital nomads
San Jose, Costa Rica and San Pedro, Belize, 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 San Pedro for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $1,940).
- San Jose scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in San Jose: 80 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
San Jose wins 5 of the measured lines; San Pedro wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, San Jose or San Pedro?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $1,940/month in San Pedro, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, San Jose or San Pedro?
San Jose scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for San Pedro.
Which has faster internet, San Jose or San Pedro?
San Jose has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 60 Mbps in San Pedro.
| Line | San Jose | San Pedro |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,900 | $1,940 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $480 | $480 |
| Transport | $55 | $60 |
| Coworking | $140 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | island |
| 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): San Jose November 7, 2026, San Pedro September 10, 2026.