Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Italy

Costa Rica
Based on our comparison, Bologna wins 5 out of 8 categories.San José wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Bologna and San José, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Bologna
$1,642/mo
Best Internet
Bologna
175 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
San José
7.1/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Bologna if budget is your top priority, or Bologna if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Bologna and San José for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Bologna offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,642/month compared to San José's $3,859/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Bologna leads with 175 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. San José offers 110 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 5.2/10, San José offers better security than Bologna (5.1/10).
Overall: San José's NomadIQ score of 7.1/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.
Bologna is 57% cheaper than San José.
San José has a higher safety score (5.2/10) compared to Bologna (5.1/10).
5.1/10
Bologna
5.2/10
San José
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Bologna offers faster internet at 175 Mbps vs 110 Mbps.
175 Mbps
Bologna
110 Mbps
San José
Based on our analysis, Bologna edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
Bologna: Best for budget-conscious expats
San José: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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