Puerto Vallarta vs San Juan
It's a near-perfect tie across all 7 criteria.
Summary
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan are close to a statistical tie overall (6.1 vs 6.1), each winning 1 of 7 criteria. The right choice here comes down entirely to which specific factors matter most to you, not the aggregate score.
Quick answers
Safety: Puerto Vallarta and San Juan tie on this (6/10 each).
Climate: Puerto Vallarta and San Juan tie on this (8/10 each).
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan are essentially tied overall (6.1/10 vs 6.1/10).
Cost of living: Puerto Vallarta (6/10 vs 5/10).
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan are a close call for families based on safety, healthcare and environment.
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Cost of living: slightly better than San Juan (6.0 vs 5.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Puerto Vallarta (7.0 vs 6.0)
Which city fits your profile?
Puerto Vallarta 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.
Puerto Vallarta 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.
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Puerto Vallarta scores higher once we weight toward movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor (6.1 vs 5.9 for Puerto Vallarta vs San Juan), driven largely by cost of living.
San Juan scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (6.1 vs 6.2 for Puerto Vallarta vs San Juan), driven largely by safety.
Puerto Vallarta 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.
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Puerto Vallarta and San Juan score within a rounding error of each other for expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Puerto Vallarta 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.
Puerto Vallarta scores higher once we weight toward early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate (6.0 vs 5.8 for Puerto Vallarta vs San Juan), driven largely by cost of living.
Which city should you choose?
Pick Puerto Vallarta if you're a budget-conscious mover or young professional — Pick San Juan instead if you're more of a safety-first mover.