Are you considering a move to San Jose, Costa Rica, and wondering about the cost of living? San Jose is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in San Jose and help you understand whether $2000 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $885.13.
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
10.84 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
56.56 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
9.43 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
3.02 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
4.52 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
3.15 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
1.73 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
1.56 $ |
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|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.94 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
2.5 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
2.43 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
3.29 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
8.02 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
8.97 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
12.98 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
5.23 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.27 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
2.23 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
2.55 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
2.51 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
2.29 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
1.21 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
2.11 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
13.86 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
2.37 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.53 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
4.43 $ |
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|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.85 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
35.83 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
1.27 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.61 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
6.7 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.59 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
32993.31 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
30852.79 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
61.38 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
45.04 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
53.51 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
23.63 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
7.54 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
360.78 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
10871.61 $ |
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|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
86.03 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
48.67 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
121.53 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
114.41 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
694.72 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
415.32 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1390.92 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
1095.4 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
2170.15 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
1356.47 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
885.13 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
8.81 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in San Jose come to a total of approximately $2000. This includes an average monthly rent of around $694 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $83 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $705 per month.
Living in San Jose appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $885.13. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in San Jose, you would likely need an income exceeding $885.13.
In San Jose, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $885.13, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of San Jose is approximately $694. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $415.32 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in San Jose can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $568 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Costa Rica can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Costa Rica.
Tourists need to practice the same kind of behavior as in any other city, even though San Jose authorities are doing its best to improve the security of foreigners by introducing constant police surveillance. Crime is a very serious problem and tourists need to keep a watchful eye on their personal belongings.
Once you need to take a taxi, use only those that are red or orange and bear in mind that it is safer to call them than to stop them on the street. Traffic in Costa Rica is risky, and pedestrians are not respected, so it is advisable to cross the street in a group.
As in most tourist destinations, travelers are targets for pickpockets. Be extremely careful when in public transport and crowded areas in front of the monuments. Car theft is also very frequent, so make sure that you parked your vehicle in locked fence areas.
Due to its location and climate, San Jose is prone to flooding and landslides during heavy rains, hurricane risks from June to November, as well as volcanoes and extreme weather conditions.
There were reports of tourists being mugged and robbed in San Jose at night. If you happen to be the victim of this kind of crime, it is better to give them your money and valuables than to resist.
Having in mind the fact that recent history has no records of terrorism in San Jose tourists can feel free and safe. However, suspicious activity is always possible, so remain attentive.
High-level strategies when stealing, like spilling something on you, is applied on the streets of San Jose. Taxi drivers are constantly trying to overcharge the negligent passengers. Also, tourists need to watch out their credit cards.
When solo female travelers are in question, it is safe to travel to Costa Rica. You just need to pay attention to your clothing and showing off the expensive electrical gadgets. The closeness of the beaches makes it normal to wear beachwear, but rural areas demand more modest dressing. Machismo is still dominant in Costa Rica, so just do not pay attention to shouting or whistling and try to ignore them.
The necessity for a visa to Costa Rica depends on your nationality and the best way to inform yourself is to visit sites that will explain everything in relation to the documentation that is obligatory.
The colon is the official currency in Costa Rica and you need to exchange your money in the exchange offices unless you have U.S. dollars which are accepted. You can also use your credit cards in major cities.
Costa Rica has a tropical climate and only two seasons: summer, which lasts from December to April and the rainy season from May to November. There are regions where it constantly rains. Due to the elevation of San Jose, it can be a bit chilly at night.
There are two international airports in Costa Rica, both of which can be used when coming to San Jose. The Juan Santamaría International Airport 23 km away from the center of San José and The Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, the second busiest international airport in the country.
Each journey can pass without any instance of trouble, but there are cases when accidents can ruin it. That is why it is always better to have travel insurance which will make you feel relaxed and protected while in other countries. If you are interested in adventures, bear in mind that it also needs to include the coverage of medical problems in cases of incidents during those activities, which standard insurance policies do not comprise.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 60°F | 63°F | 66°F | 70°F | 75°F | 79°F | 82°F | 82°F | 81°F | 76°F | 66°F | 60°F |
| Temp | 51°F | 53°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 69°F | 69°F | 68°F | 64°F | 56°F | 51°F |
| Low | 44°F | 46°F | 48°F | 51°F | 54°F | 58°F | 60°F | 60°F | 59°F | 54°F | 48°F | 44°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 15°C | 17°C | 18°C | 21°C | 23°C | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 24°C | 18°C | 15°C |
| Temp | 10°C | 11°C | 13°C | 15°C | 17°C | 19°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 17°C | 13°C | 10°C |
| Low | 6°C | 7°C | 8°C | 10°C | 12°C | 14°C | 15°C | 15°C | 15°C | 12°C | 8°C | 6°C |