San Jose vs Turku: cost of living for digital nomads
San Jose, Costa Rica and Turku, Finland, 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 8% cheaper than Turku for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,055).
- Turku scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Turku: 250 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- San Jose is tropical; Turku is continental.
San Jose wins 4 of the measured lines; Turku wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, San Jose or Turku?
San Jose is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,055/month in Turku, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, San Jose or Turku?
Turku scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for San Jose.
Which has faster internet, San Jose or Turku?
Turku has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | San Jose | Turku |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,900 | $2,055 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $480 | $510 |
| Transport | $55 | $60 |
| Coworking | $140 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 250 |
| Climate | tropical | continental |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| 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, Turku September 11, 2026.