[![Image]() Meet Jobicy Copilot — free AI autofill for job applications + remote job alerts ›](#) Side-by-side city decision # Puerto Viejo vs New York City. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Puerto ViejoCosta Rica3 VS New York CityUnited States3 $1,640Puerto Viejo monthly budget $5,682New York City monthly budget 45 MbpsPuerto Viejo internet 310 MbpsNew York City internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Puerto Viejo Speed Fastest internet New York City Vibe Best nomad vibe New York City Safety Highest safety Puerto Viejo Air Cleanest air Puerto Viejo Walk Most walkable New York City Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Puerto Viejo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) Costa Rica 3/6 Budget$1,640 Internet45 Mbps Vibe8/10 [New York City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/new-york-city.md) United States 3/6 Budget$5,682 Internet310 Mbps Vibe10/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $1,640 $5,682 1-bed center rent $950 $4,200 Coworking desk $180 $500 Local meal $9 $22 Cappuccino $3.8 $5.8 Gym membership $45 $110 Transport budget $90 $132 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 45 Mbps 310 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 10/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 62/100 58/100 Air quality 88/100 70/100 Walkability 6/10 10/10 Female safety 6/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 10/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Excellent English proficiency Good Excellent Climate type Tropical rainforest Humid subtropical/continental Best time to visit Feb - Apr Apr - Jun Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Puerto Viejo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * Caribbean beaches, jungle, and wildlife are minutes away * Relaxed international community with strong surf culture * English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses * Warm weather year-round * Good range of vegan, vegetarian, and Caribbean food * Lower traffic and a slower pace than San José ### Trade-offs * Rent and groceries are expensive for a small beach town * Internet quality varies sharply by property and weather * Heavy rain, humidity, mold, and mosquitoes are persistent * Healthcare options are limited outside larger towns * Scooters, bikes, and valuables can be targets for theft * Roads, sidewalks, and public transport are basic ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry stamp, typically up to 180 days at immigration discretion * Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa * Rentista or Pensionado temporary-residence pathways [New York City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/new-york-city.md) United States → ### Strengths * Exceptional public transit and walkability * Huge professional and creative networking scene * World-class food, culture, and entertainment * Fast, widely available home and mobile internet * Extensive coworking and café options * Highly diverse and LGBTQ+-friendly community ### Trade-offs * Extremely high rent and daily living costs * Small apartments and competitive housing market * Crowded streets, trains, and public spaces * Winter weather can be cold and slushy * US healthcare is expensive without insurance * Noise and construction are common in many areas ### Common visa routes * Visa Waiver Program / ESTA * B-1/B-2 visitor visa * O-1 extraordinary ability visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.