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San José vs Mérida – Digital Nomad Guide

Trying to decide between San José, Costa Rica and Mérida, Mexico? Here's a detailed comparison to help digital nomads and remote workers make an informed choice.

💰 Cost of Living

San José has a monthly cost of $2,250, which is 2.7% higher than Mérida's $2,190.

🌐 Internet Infrastructure

For internet speeds, San José offers 50 Mbps, while Mérida provides 100 Mbps making Mérida's connection 100.0% faster .

☀️ Current Weather

The weather in San José is currently 26°C 🌤️, while Mérida is experiencing 37°C 🌤️.

🛡️ Safety Comparison

San José has a safety score of 64.0 , while Mérida scores 63.0 .

Costs
$2,250
per month
Internet
50
Mbps
Weather
26° 🌤️
High today
Costs
$2,190
per month
Internet
100
Mbps
Weather
37° 🌤️
High today
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Overall Mérida wins

68.0
Overall Score
72.0

Quality of Life

64.0
Safety
63.0
77.0
Healthcare
79.0

Cost Mérida wins

61.0
Cost of Living
87.0

Mérida is 26% better

Climate Mérida wins

60.0
Air Quality
71.0

Mérida is 11% better

Infrastructure Mérida wins

71.0
Internet Speed
76.0

Mérida is 5% better

Social Mérida wins

64.0
Nightlife
64.0
78.0
Culture
89.0

Mérida is 11% better

73.0
Food Scene
87.0

Mérida is 14% better

Total Cost of Living Comparison

Category San José Mérida Difference
Monthly Total $2,250 $2,190 +2.7%
Daily Average $75 $73 per day

Housing

Item San José Mérida Difference
Apartment (1 bedroom) $550.00 per month $350.00 per month +57.1%

Daily Life

Item San José Mérida Difference
Coffee $2.50 per cup $1.50 per cup +66.7%

Transportation

Item San José Mérida Difference

Utilities

Item San José Mérida Difference
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Final Verdict: San José vs Mérida

Mérida ranks as the better digital nomad destination, scoring 4.0% higher than San José overall.

💰 Cost Analysis

  • Monthly Budget: $2,250 vs $2,190
  • Daily Expenses: $75 vs $73
  • Mérida is 2.7% cheaper for digital nomads

🌐 Infrastructure

  • Internet Speed: Mérida leads with 50% faster connection
  • Public Transport: Mérida has better public transportation

🎯 Key Advantages

San José Wins In:
  • No significant advantages found
Mérida Wins In:
  • Cost of Living (26% better)
  • Air Quality (11% better)
  • Internet Speed (5% better)
  • Culture (11% better)
  • Food Scene (14% better)

💡 Final Recommendation

Choose Mérida if you prioritize cost effectiveness and Cost of Living. However, San José might be preferable if Cost of Living is your top priority. Both cities offer unique advantages for digital nomads, with distinct trade-offs in cost of living, infrastructure, and lifestyle options.

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