San Jose vs Willemstad: cost of living for digital nomads
San Jose, Costa Rica and Willemstad, Curacao, 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
- Willemstad is about 1% cheaper than San Jose for a month of nomad living ($1,890 vs $1,900).
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Willemstad: 130 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- San Jose is tropical; Willemstad is arid.
San Jose wins 1 of the measured lines; Willemstad wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, San Jose or Willemstad?
Willemstad is cheaper: about $1,890/month against $1,900/month in San Jose, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, San Jose or Willemstad?
San Jose and Willemstad score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, San Jose or Willemstad?
Willemstad has faster typical internet: 130 Mbps against 80 Mbps in San Jose.
| Line | San Jose | Willemstad |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,900 | $1,890 |
| Rent | $900 | $900 |
| Food | $480 | $470 |
| Transport | $55 | $50 |
| Coworking | $140 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 130 |
| Climate | tropical | arid |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Willemstad with
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, Willemstad September 11, 2026.