Cabo San Lucas vs San Juan
San Juan comes out ahead overall, winning 2 of 7 criteria.
Summary
San Juan edges out Cabo San Lucas overall (6.1 vs 6.0), but the margin is thin enough that a single strong priority — like public transport — could reasonably flip your personal decision the other way.
Quick answers
Safety: Cabo San Lucas and San Juan tie on this (6/10 each).
Climate: Cabo San Lucas (9/10 vs 8/10).
Overall, San Juan scores higher (6.1/10 vs 6.0/10) across all seven criteria combined.
Cost of living: Cabo San Lucas and San Juan tie on this (5/10 each).
San Juan — San Juan scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.0 vs 6.2 for Cabo San Lucas vs San Juan), driven largely by safety.
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Climate: slightly better than San Juan (9.0 vs 8.0)
- +Public transport: slightly better than Cabo San Lucas (4.0 vs 3.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Cabo San Lucas (7.0 vs 6.0)
Which city fits your profile?
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
San Juan scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.0 vs 6.2 for Cabo San Lucas vs San Juan), driven largely by safety.
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
San Juan scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (6.0 vs 6.2 for Cabo San Lucas vs San Juan), driven largely by safety.
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
San Juan scores higher once we weight toward students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene (5.6 vs 5.8 for Cabo San Lucas vs San Juan), driven largely by cost of living.
San Juan scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (6.0 vs 6.2 for Cabo San Lucas vs San Juan), driven largely by safety.
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Cabo San Lucas and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Which city should you choose?
Pick San Juan instead if you're more of a young family, safety-first mover, or student.