San Jose

🇨🇷Costa Rica•Central America

City Score

"A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure."

City Metrics

Cost of Living62

Safety70

Healthcare73

Career Opportunities67

Climate75

Transport74

Air Quality69.5

Family Friendliness70

Education73

Top Neighborhoods

Central Core

Historic Quarter

Modern Suburbs

Housing Reality

Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.

Getting Around

Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.

Other Cities in Costa Rica

Frequently Asked Questions

▸Is San Jose a good place to live?

San Jose scores 70/100 overall. It is moderately affordable (cost score: 62/100), very safe (safety: 70/100), and has excellent healthcare (healthcare: 73/100). Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.

▸What is the cost of living in San Jose?

San Jose has a cost of living score of 62/100 (higher = more affordable). Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.

▸How do I get around San Jose?

San Jose has a transport score of 74/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.

▸What are the best neighborhoods in San Jose?

The most recommended neighborhoods in San Jose are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.

▸Is San Jose safe for expats?

San Jose has a safety score of 70/100. The city very safe and has an air quality score of 69.5/100.

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City Deep Dive

Is San Jose actually livable? See neighborhood rankings, real cost breakdowns, and local quality-of-life scores

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