🇨🇷
Best Cities in Costa Rica to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
#1
San Jose
61/100💰 $998/mo rent🔒 17.7 per 100k☀️ 25°C summers⚡ 82 Mbps⛰️ Mountains
#2
Atenas
54/100🔒 17.7 per 100k☀️ 27°C summers⛰️ Mountains
#3
Tamarindo
53/100🔒 17.7 per 100k☀️ 30°C summers🌊 Coastal
Compare cities in Costa Rica
❓ Living in Costa Rica — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Costa Rica?▾
Based on our Livability Score, San Jose ranks #1 in Costa Rica with a score of 61/100, and city-centre rent from around $998/month.
What is the safest city in Costa Rica?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, San Jose is the safest city in Costa Rica in our database, with a rate of 17.7 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to San Jose or Atenas?▾
San Jose scores 61/100 on our Livability Score vs 54/100 for Atenas. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.