San José
San José, Costa Rica
The capital and the centre of the formal economy, in the Central Valley at around 1,170 metres, which gives it a mild climate year-round.
- Population
- 340,000
- Climate
- tropical
- Typical download speed
- 70 Mbit/s
- One-bed, city centre
- US$600 – US$1,100
- One-bed, outside centre
- US$400 – US$750
- Monthly budget, one adult
- US$1,400 – US$2,300
Indicative
Getting around
Extensive bus network and a limited commuter rail; most residents drive.
What people work in here
- Shared services
- Medical devices
- Technology
- Tourism
Cost of living
We do not hold a San José cost series, so this is the Costa Rica country-wide estimate. Use the rent figures above for the local picture.
| Category | Monthly range |
|---|---|
| Housing | US$500 – US$1,100 |
| Food | US$300 – US$550 |
| Utilities | US$70 – US$180 |
| Internet | US$35 – US$70 |
| Transport | US$40 – US$200 |
| Healthcare | US$80 – US$250 |
| Everything else | US$180 – US$400 |
| Total | US$1,205 – US$2,750 |
| Suggested monthly buffer | US$3,300 |
Modelled from a baseline for one adult and scaled, not sampled from households. Figures are shown as ranges because that is the honest shape of the data.
Worth knowing. Modelled estimate. Costa Rica is noticeably more expensive than its Central American neighbours, and imported goods and vehicles carry high duties.
Immigration
Immigration is decided nationally, not by city. Which routes are open to you, what they require and how long they take are all on the Costa Rica guide.
Worth knowing. Modelled estimates, not survey data.