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Cape Town or San José

Comprehensive comparison between Cape Town (South Africa) and San José (Costa Rica). Analyze differences in purchasing power, housing, safety, and visas to make your next move.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Based on 2026 cost of living data, San José is more affordable than Cape Town. Cape Town has a cost rating of 90/100, while San José has a cost rating of 50/100.
In terms of safety, San José ranks higher with a safety score of 45/100, compared to Cape Town at 76/100. Cape Town's safety score is 45/100 and San José's safety score is 76/100.
Average rent in Cape Town is typically R16,840.00 per month, whereas typical rent in San José averages €650 - €1,000 per month.
For Cape Town, the visa process is rated as: Nomad Visa (South Africa recently announced a new Digital Nomad visa to attract remote workers.). For San José, the process is rated as: Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa (Estancia) (Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa offers 1 year (renewable for 2) with full income tax exemption and duty-free import of work equipment.).