Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Italy

Costa Rica
Based on our comparison, Catania wins 7 out of 8 categories.San José wins 1 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Catania and San José, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Catania
$1,171/mo
Best Internet
Catania
120 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Catania
7.2/10
Our Recommendation: Catania is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.
When comparing Catania and San José for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Catania offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,171/month compared to San José's $3,859/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Catania leads with 120 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 Catania (5.1/10).
Overall: Catania earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7.2/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Catania is 70% cheaper than San José.
San José has a higher safety score (5.2/10) compared to Catania (5.1/10).
5.1/10
Catania
5.2/10
San José
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Catania offers faster internet at 120 Mbps vs 110 Mbps.
120 Mbps
Catania
110 Mbps
San José
Based on our analysis, Catania edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 7 of 8 comparison factors.
Catania: Best for budget-conscious expats
San José: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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