San Jose vs St. Johns: cost of living for digital nomads
San Jose, Costa Rica and St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda, 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 10% cheaper than St. Johns for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,100).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in San Jose against $1,000 in St. Johns.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in San Jose: 80 Mbps typical against 70 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
San Jose wins 6 of the measured lines; St. Johns wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, San Jose or St. Johns?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,100/month in St. Johns, roughly 10% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, San Jose or St. Johns?
San Jose and St. Johns score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, San Jose or St. Johns?
San Jose has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 70 Mbps in St. Johns.
| Line | San Jose | St. Johns |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,900 | $2,100 |
| Rent | $900 | $1,000 |
| Food | $480 | $520 |
| Transport | $55 | $60 |
| Coworking | $140 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 70 |
| 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, St. Johns September 10, 2026.