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San José vs Puerto Limón

Costa Rica vs Costa Rica · 109 km apart

San José

Costa Rica

₡397,441 ($764)

single / month

VS

Puerto Limón

Costa Rica

₡299,520 ($576)

single / month

Cheaper overall

Category Breakdown (USD)

ExpenseSan JoséPuerto LimónCheaper
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$7.80$6.00Puerto Limón
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$31.20$24.00Puerto Limón
Cappuccino$2.34$1.80Puerto Limón
Monthly groceries (single person)$177$136Puerto Limón
Monthly public transport pass$28.60$22.00Puerto Limón
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$75.40$58.00Puerto Limón
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$21.84$16.80Puerto Limón
Fitness club membership$21.84$16.80Puerto Limón
Cinema ticket$5.72$4.40Puerto Limón
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$351$253Puerto Limón
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$244$176Puerto Limón
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$733$528Puerto Limón
Total single-person budget$764$576Puerto Limón
Average net salary$1,170$900

Verdict

Puerto Limón is cheaper overall. A single-person monthly budget in San José runs about $764 versus $576 in Puerto Limón — a difference of roughly 25%.

Salary-adjusted, San José leaves more disposable income after basic expenses. Both figures are model estimates — see each city page for local-currency detail.

Full cost of living in San José  ·  Full cost of living in Puerto Limón

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San José cheaper than Puerto Limón?
No. San José costs an estimated $764 per month for a single person, about 25% more than Puerto Limón at $576.
How far is San José from Puerto Limón?
The straight-line distance between San José and Puerto Limón is approximately 109 km (68 miles).
Which city has better salaries, San José or Puerto Limón?
The estimated average net salary is $1,170 in San José and $900 in Puerto Limón. After living costs, a single person keeps roughly $406 in San José versus $324 in Puerto Limón per month.