Which place is cheaper, Nashville or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Nashville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose or Nashville, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Jose or Nashville?
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee, known as Music City USA and home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, is waiting for vacationers and tourists. Even though musical attractions may be Nashville's main showcases, there are still plenty of other places and activities to check out, like hiking along shorelines, visit urban parks filled with entertainment, fishing, zoos, museums, take in shows in a variety of venues and so much more. Nashville tourism is also a discount, coupon friendly town for independent travelers and families. There are also many free attractions to enable you to enjoy all that this part of God's country has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $89Nashville $172
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $89, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $172. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Jose and Nashville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $48Nashville $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $96Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Nashville
Looking for a hotel in San Jose or Nashville? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: San Jose Hotel Prices and Nashville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Nashville $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville
Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128
- Nashville accomodation to Nashville Airport (BNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Nashville?
Prices for flights to both Nashville and San Jose change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySan Jose $18Nashville $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose, Costa Rica: $34
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Dinner + Typical Show in the best viewpoint of the City: $99
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville
For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nashville Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Neighborhood Food Tour on E-bikes: $79
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Franklin, TN: $94
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville, TN: $94
- Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $113
- General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise: $138
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Jose $21Nashville $27
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore San Jose on Foot: Food Delights and Sights Tour: $47
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
- Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour: $295
Tours and Activities in Nashville
For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Franklin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with Live Narration: $39
- Nashville Ghosts: Hauntings of Music City Tour By Junket: $30
- 1 Hour Nashville Insider Photoshoot Tour in the Gulch: $79
- 2 Hour Narrated Sightseeing Tractor Tour of Nashville: $59
- 2-Hour Guided E-Bicycle Sightseeing Tour of Nashville: $117
- 90-Minute Monster Truck Joyride City Tour of Nashville: $53
- Adventureworks Ziplines at Nashville West: $61
- Amazing Nashville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Beer, Bourbon & BBQ: Nashville Adventure: $189
- Best of Nashville City Sightseeing Tour on Double Decker Bus: $40
- Big E’s Bronco Tours - Nashville Music History and Cultural Tour: $45
- Civil Rights Tour Of Nashville: $156
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $16Nashville $15
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:
- Nashville's Annual New Year's Eve Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Annual Crawl-O-Ween Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: $25
- Music City Pub Crawl: $25
- Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
- Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Nashville's Honky-Tonk Walking Sightseeing Pub Crawl: $31
- Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $33
- Nashville's Lost Spirits: Murder and True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Nashville Lost Spirits: Murder True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Nashville Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Jose and Nashville, we can see that Nashville is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Jose is in Central America and Nashville is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Jose would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Jose and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville than you might in San Jose.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Jose Expensive? and Is Nashville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Nashville?
Nashville has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of San Jose and Nashville, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit San Jose or Nashville?
Nashville has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Jose or Nashville in the Summer?
Both Nashville and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Nashville in the summer. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Nashville. San Jose usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during summer. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. In July, San Jose usually receives more rain than Nashville. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Nashville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Nashville in the Autumn?
Both Nashville and San Jose during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nashville in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, San Jose is much warmer than Nashville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Jose in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, San Jose often gets less sunshine than Nashville. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually gets more rain in October than Nashville. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Nashville 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Nashville in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Nashville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Nashville can be very cold during winter. In January, San Jose is generally much warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during winter. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Jose usually receives less rain than Nashville. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Nashville 38°F (4°C)
Should I visit San Jose or Nashville in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Nashville. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nashville because of the activities around the city.
San Jose is much warmer than Nashville in the spring. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In the spring, San Jose often gets more sunshine than Nashville. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nashville. San Jose usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Nashville 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Nashville and San Jose
| San Jose | Nashville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.