Least Dense in San José

Top 31 cities ranked by least dense

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All Countries · Costa Rica · San José

Least Dense — San José

1 Mercedes 78/mi²

2 Daniel Flores 406/mi²

3 San Isidro 471/mi²

4 Santiago 622/mi²

5 Colón 629/mi²

6 Tejar 769/mi²

7 Salitrillos 848/mi²

8 San Miguel 3,498/mi²

9 Santa Ana 3,823/mi²

10 Patarrá 3,912/mi²

11 Aserrí 4,393/mi²

12 San Rafael 5,052/mi²

13 Escazú 6,898/mi²

14 Granadilla 9,326/mi²

15 San Rafael Arriba 12,041/mi²

16 San Vicente 12,526/mi²

17 San Felipe 12,619/mi²

18 San Juan de Dios 14,063/mi²

19 Curridabat 14,532/mi²

20 San Pedro 15,015/mi²

21 San Vicente de Moravia 16,561/mi²

22 San Juan 19,152/mi²

23 Sabanilla 19,204/mi²

24 San José 19,443/mi²

25 Colima 20,353/mi²

26 Calle Blancos 22,758/mi²

27 Purral 25,891/mi²

28 Alajuelita 26,625/mi²

29 Ipís 27,494/mi²

30 Guadalupe 28,266/mi²

31 San Rafael Abajo 35,153/mi²

The least densely populated cities in San José offer spacious living with more land per resident. Mercedes has just 78 people per square mile. These cities provide room to spread out with larger lot sizes and more open space.

Low-density cities typically feature more single-family homes with larger yards, easier parking, and less traffic congestion. They appeal to families seeking space, privacy, and access to nature without moving to a fully rural area.

While the spread-out nature of these cities means longer drives to amenities and greater reliance on personal vehicles, many residents value the trade-off for quieter neighborhoods and a more relaxed pace of life.

Did You Know?

1. In Mercedes, there are only 78 people per square mile — each resident has roughly 356,775 square feet of city space.
2. Low-density cities often have significantly lower housing costs due to more available land for development.
3. Many of the least dense cities are located in the western United States, where vast open spaces define the landscape.

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