⚖️ City comparison
Chicago vs San José
Thinking of leaving Chicago for San José? Here is how life in San José, Costa Rica compares with Chicago on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- San José is 46% cheaper: $1,991 vs $3,676 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in San José: $959 vs $2,407 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- San José has more pleasant weather: 11 pleasant months a year vs 4.
- San José is warmer: highs average 19°F more across the year (coldest-month high 75°F vs 32°F in Chicago; hottest 82°F vs 81°F).
- Residents rate San José safer: a safety index of 44 vs 35 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Internet is faster in Chicago: 385 vs 252 Mbps median download.
- The air is cleaner in San José: PM2.5 of 6.1 vs 9.7 µg/m³ a year.
- To live in San José you'd need a visa: Costa Rica offers the Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) ($3,000/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 🇨🇷 San José |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 49 | 69 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $3,676 | $1,991 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $2,407 | $959 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,269 | $1,032 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 4 | 11 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 32–81°F | 75–82°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 35/100 (residents) | 44/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 385 Mbps | 252 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 9.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Official language | Moderate (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | High | Moderate |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | In the US | ~2.5h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 7 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | You live here | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Not needed | Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | US tax as now | 🟢 Friendly · Local income only, top 25% |
Best months to be there
🇺🇸 Chicago
3 best months
🇨🇷 San José
12 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Chicago climate · San José climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
Add a third or fourth city: open this comparison in the interactive view →