Most Dense in San José

Top 31 cities ranked by most dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Costa Rica · San José

Most Dense — San José

1 San Rafael Abajo 35,153/mi²

2 Guadalupe 28,266/mi²

3 Ipís 27,494/mi²

4 Alajuelita 26,625/mi²

5 Purral 25,891/mi²

6 Calle Blancos 22,758/mi²

7 Colima 20,353/mi²

8 San José 19,443/mi²

9 Sabanilla 19,204/mi²

10 San Juan 19,152/mi²

11 San Vicente de Moravia 16,561/mi²

12 San Pedro 15,015/mi²

13 Curridabat 14,532/mi²

14 San Juan de Dios 14,063/mi²

15 San Felipe 12,619/mi²

16 San Vicente 12,526/mi²

17 San Rafael Arriba 12,041/mi²

18 Granadilla 9,326/mi²

19 Escazú 6,898/mi²

20 San Rafael 5,052/mi²

21 Aserrí 4,393/mi²

22 Patarrá 3,912/mi²

23 Santa Ana 3,823/mi²

24 San Miguel 3,498/mi²

25 Salitrillos 848/mi²

26 Tejar 769/mi²

27 Colón 629/mi²

28 Santiago 622/mi²

29 San Isidro 471/mi²

30 Daniel Flores 406/mi²

31 Mercedes 78/mi²

The most densely populated cities in San José pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. San Rafael Abajo leads with 35,153 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

1. San Rafael Abajo has 35,153 people per square mile — that's roughly 55 people per acre.
2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

Browse Rankings by Region

Costa Rica — By Region

Alajuela Province Cartago Province Guanacaste Province Heredia Province Limón Province Puntarenas Province San José

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe