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San José vs Oaxaca – Digital Nomad Guide

Trying to decide between San José, Costa Rica and Oaxaca, 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 10.8% higher than Oaxaca's $2,030.

🌐 Internet Infrastructure

For internet speeds, San José offers 50 Mbps, while Oaxaca provides 20 Mbps making San José's connection 150.0% faster .

☀️ Current Weather

The weather in San José is currently 25°C ⛈️, while Oaxaca is experiencing 28°C ⛈️.

🛡️ Safety Comparison

San José has a safety score of 67.0 , while Oaxaca scores 68.0 .

Costs
$2,250
per month
Internet
50
Mbps
Weather
25° ⛈️
High today
Costs
$2,030
per month
Internet
20
Mbps
Weather
28° ⛈️
High today
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Overall

69.0
Overall Score
70.0

Quality of Life San José wins

67.0
Safety
68.0
81.0
Healthcare
72.0

San José is 9% better

Cost Oaxaca wins

61.0
Cost of Living
87.0

Oaxaca is 26% better

Climate Oaxaca wins

60.0
Air Quality
73.0

Oaxaca is 13% better

Infrastructure San José wins

79.0
Internet Speed
74.0

San José is 5% better

Social Oaxaca wins

65.0
Nightlife
63.0
78.0
Culture
95.0

Oaxaca is 17% better

73.0
Food Scene
93.0

Oaxaca is 20% better

Total Cost of Living Comparison

Category San José Oaxaca Difference
Monthly Total $2,250 $2,030 +10.8%
Daily Average $75 $68 per day

Housing

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

Daily Life

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

Transportation

Item San José Oaxaca Difference

Utilities

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

Oaxaca ranks as the better digital nomad destination, scoring 1.0% higher than San José overall.

💰 Cost Analysis

  • Monthly Budget: $2,250 vs $2,030
  • Daily Expenses: $75 vs $68
  • Oaxaca is 10.8% cheaper for digital nomads

🌐 Infrastructure

  • Internet Speed: San José leads with 150% faster connection
  • Public Transport: Oaxaca has better public transportation

🎯 Key Advantages

San José Wins In:
  • Healthcare (9% better)
  • Internet Speed (5% better)
Oaxaca Wins In:
  • Cost of Living (26% better)
  • Air Quality (13% better)
  • Culture (17% better)
  • Food Scene (20% better)

💡 Final Recommendation

Choose Oaxaca 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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