[![Image]() Meet Jobicy Copilot — free AI autofill for job applications + remote job alerts ›](#) Side-by-side city decision # Salt Lake City vs Puerto Viejo. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Salt Lake CityUnited States1 VS Puerto ViejoCosta Rica3 $2,285Salt Lake City monthly budget $1,640Puerto Viejo monthly budget 250 MbpsSalt Lake City internet 45 MbpsPuerto Viejo internet Decision summary Puerto Viejo Puerto Viejo leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Puerto Viejo Speed Fastest internet Salt Lake City Vibe Best nomad vibe Puerto Viejo Safety Highest safety Tie Air Cleanest air Puerto Viejo Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Salt Lake City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/salt-lake-city.md) United States 1/6 Budget$2,285 Internet250 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Puerto Viejo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) Costa Rica 3/6 Budget$1,640 Internet45 Mbps Vibe8/10 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 $2,285 $1,640 1-bed center rent $1,450 $950 Coworking desk $300 $180 Local meal $19 $9 Cappuccino $5.4 $3.8 Gym membership $45 $45 Transport budget $85 $90 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 250 Mbps 45 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 62/100 62/100 Air quality 66/100 88/100 Walkability 6/10 6/10 Female safety 7/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Excellent Average English proficiency Excellent Good Climate type Cold semi-arid continental Tropical rainforest Best time to visit May - Oct Feb - Apr 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. [Salt Lake City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/salt-lake-city.md) United States → ### Strengths * Fast, widely available fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Excellent access to skiing, hiking, climbing, and national parks * Strong healthcare systems and clean, drinkable tap water * Light-rail access between downtown and the airport * Lower living costs than major coastal US tech hubs * Friendly, organized city with a growing tech and remote-work scene ### Trade-offs * Winter inversion can create poor air quality * Housing costs have risen quickly in desirable central neighborhoods * Car dependence remains high outside the downtown core * Alcohol rules and nightlife are more restrained than in larger US cities * Hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters can be intense * US healthcare is expensive without suitable insurance ### Common visa routes * Visa Waiver Program / ESTA for eligible nationalities, up to 90 days * B-2 visitor visa, generally up to six months at admission * B-1/B-2 visitor visa for eligible business or tourism travel [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 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.