⚖️ City comparison
Los Angeles vs San José
Thinking of leaving Los Angeles for San José? Here is how life in San José, Costa Rica compares with Los Angeles on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- San José is 50% cheaper: $1,991 vs $3,994 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in San José: $959 vs $2,534 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- San José has more pleasant weather: 11 pleasant months a year vs 10.
- San José is warmer: highs average 2°F more across the year (coldest-month high 75°F vs 64°F in Los Angeles; hottest 82°F vs 90°F).
- Internet is faster in Los Angeles: 404 vs 252 Mbps median download.
- The air is cleaner in San José: PM2.5 of 6.1 vs 9.9 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 | 🇺🇸 Los Angeles | 🇨🇷 San José |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 55 | 69 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $3,994 | $1,991 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $2,534 | $959 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,460 | $1,032 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 10 | 11 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 64–90°F | 75–82°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 46/100 (residents) | 44/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 404 Mbps | 252 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 9.9 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 | 6 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
🇺🇸 Los Angeles
4 best months
🇨🇷 San José
12 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Los Angeles climate · San José climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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