San José

Costa Rica, San José

Stable, peaceful, biodiverse. Rentista and Pensionado visas plus the new digital nomad permit (Ley 9996).

TropicalCRCSpanish340,000 people

The numbers

Cost, tax, and quality of life

Cost of living

Verified

65 idx

Numbeo Cost of Living Index · Jun 2026 ↗

Rent · 1BR center

Verified

$900 /mo

Numbeo Rent Prices · Jun 2026 ↗

Effective tax (remote)

Verified

20%

PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries · Jun 2026 ↗

Healthcare

Verified

75 idx

Numbeo Health Care Index · Jun 2026 ↗

Safety

Verified

60 idx

Numbeo Crime Index (inverted) · Jun 2026 ↗

Internet

Verified

80 Mbps

Ookla Speedtest Global Index · Jun 2026 ↗

Climate score

Verified

80 idx

Climate-Data.org · Jun 2026 ↗

Freedom

Verified

80 idx

Cato Human Freedom Index (2024) · Jun 2026 ↗

Visa pathways

How to legally live in Costa Rica

CR-RENT · Passive Income Residency

Rentista Visa

Min income $30,000

Processing 90-180 days

Costa Rica's most popular pathway for non-retirees. 3 years to permanent residency.

Stable income $2500/mo for 24 months
OR $60k bank deposit
Clean record
Health insurance

Visa info is research, not legal advice. Always verify with a licensed immigration professional before applying.

If price is the problem

Cheaper cities with a similar vibe

See all alternatives →

George Town (Penang)

33% cheaper rent · 31% lower cost of living · same climate

Rent: $600/mo

Compare with San José →

Chiang Mai

56% cheaper rent · 54% lower cost of living · same climate

Rent: $400/mo

Compare with San José →

Kuala Lumpur

22% cheaper rent · 23% lower cost of living · same climate

Rent: $700/mo

Compare with San José →

What's next

Compare San José against your situation

Take the 90-second quiz to see how San José stacks up against alternatives — and whether it actually fits your income, intent, and life.

Take the quiz →