Mexico City vs San José
🌡️
Oceanic vs Tropical Monsoon climate
🛂
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Mexico City
San José
Total Budget
$1,500/mo ✓
$1,700/mo
Rent (1BR)
$700/mo
$670/mo ✓
Coworking
$150/mo ✓
$175/mo
Meal Out
$6
$6
Coffee
$2 ✓
$3
Mexico City is $200/mo cheaper (12% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇲🇽 Mexico City
📶 Internet70 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC-7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaNot available
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West8h
🇺🇸 US East8h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin3h
🇨🇷 San José
📶 Internet80 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC-6
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West8h
🇺🇸 US East8h
🇬🇧 London5h
🇩🇪 Berlin4h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Mexico City
ClimateOceanic
Avg Temp17°C
Rainy Days132/year
Best months: April, January, February, March
San José
ClimateTropical Monsoon
Avg Temp20°C
Rainy Days231/year
Best months: February, January, March, April
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
15°20°
Apr
20°21°
Jul
17°21°
Oct
16°19°
Mexico CitySan José
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇲🇽Mexico City
🇨🇷San José
💰
Monthly Budget
$1,500
Winner$1,700
📶
Internet Speed
70 Mbps
80 Mbps
🛡️
Safety
3/5
3.2/5
⭐
Nomad Score
4.3/10
Winner3.8/10
🍽️
Food Scene
10/10
Winner8/10
🎉
Nightlife
9/10
Winner7/10
🚶
Walkability
8/10
Winner6/10
👥
Community
very large
large
5
Mexico City wins
vs
0
San José wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Mexico City
$200/mo cheaper with similar quality of life
💻Developer
Either works
Both have adequate internet for development work
🦋Social Butterfly
Either works
Similar social opportunities
🛡️Safety-First
Either works
Both cities are similarly safe
🍜Foodie
Mexico City
Better food scene with incredible variety
🎉Party Person
Mexico City
World-famous nightlife scene
🇲🇽Mexico City
Pros
- +Incredible food scene (world-class)
- +Rich culture and history
- +Very affordable cost of living
- +Large expat and nomad community
Cons
- −Air pollution on some days
- −Traffic congestion severe
- −Altitude adjustment (2,240m)
- −Safety concerns in some areas
🇨🇷San José
Pros
- +Gateway to Costa Rica's natural wonders
- +Digital nomad visa available since 2022
- +Excellent healthcare system
- +Year-round spring-like weather
Cons
- −Higher cost than other LATAM cities
- −Traffic congestion is severe
- −Downtown safety concerns at night
- −No beach or surf in city