Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Akron, OH and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,837 a month against $2,194 in Akron, OH, rent and utilities included – about $4,300 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Akron, OH
🇺🇸 United States
$2,194
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Akron, OH and in Nosara

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Akron, OH and in Nosara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,194 in Akron, OH versus $1,837 in Nosara.

  • Akron, OH $2,194
  • Nosara $1,837

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,292 in Akron, OH versus $2,775 in Nosara.

  • Akron, OH $3,292
  • Nosara $2,775

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,389 in Akron, OH versus $3,712 in Nosara.

  • Akron, OH $4,389
  • Nosara $3,712

Living in Akron, OH is roughly 19% more expensive than in Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Akron, OH 64% above, Nosara 37% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.81 $16.81
$12.22 ₡5,509
37.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.7 $75.7
$60.2 ₡27.1K
25.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.89 $9.89
$7.54 ₡3,399
31.17%
Cappuccino
$3.64 $3.64
$4.31 ₡1,941
-15.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 $2.13
$1.72 ₡773
23.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.35 ₡608
22.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.11 $5.11
$3.24 ₡1,459
57.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.05 $5.05
$4.48 ₡2,018
12.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.57 ₡707
-45.22%
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 $2.46
$3.17 ₡1,429
-22.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.19 $7.19
$2.42 ₡1,091
197.11%
Eggs
$4.82 $4.82
$3.57 ₡1,609
35.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.53 $15.53
$7.43 ₡3,349
109.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.57 $11.57
$10.42 ₡4,697
11.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.01 $19.01
$13.66 ₡6,156
39.17%
Apples (1kg)
$7.17 $7.17
$2.32 ₡1,044
209.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 $1.61
$1.61 ₡728
-
Oranges (1kg)
$7.77 $7.77
$4.74 ₡2,138
63.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.87 $6.87
$1.66 ₡747
313.86%
Potato (1kg)
$3.94 $3.94
$3.72 ₡1,679
5.91%
Onion (1kg)
$3.79 $3.79
$3.57 ₡1,611
6.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.10 ₡497
127.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.55 ₡1,149
-20.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.66 $9.66
$4.95 ₡2,232
95.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.21 $14.21
$20.01 ₡9,020
-28.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.79 ₡1,256
-39.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.25 $5.25
$3.53 ₡1,589
48.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.19 ₡537
2.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.69 $49.69
$72.1 ₡32.5K
-31.05%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.07 $5.07
$2.24 ₡1,011
126.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.87 $1.87
$1.55 ₡701
20.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$8.86 ₡3,993
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$1.57 ₡708
-35.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$21.8K ₡9.8M
65.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$34.6K ₡15.6M
-22.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$242 $242
$93.5 ₡42.1K
159.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.86 $40.86
$35.11 ₡15.8K
16.38%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$79.8 $79.8
$51.5 ₡23.2K
54.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.93 $42.93
$71.4 ₡32.2K
-39.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.84 $17.84
$35.44 ₡16.0K
-49.66%
Cinema Ticket
$12.33 $12.33
$7.84 ₡3,535
57.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,309 $1,309
$490 ₡220.7K
167.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.6K $12.6K
$11.9K ₡5.4M
5.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$53.5 ₡24.1K
-1.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.7 $63.7
$55.8 ₡25.1K
14.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 $105
$79.3 ₡35.7K
33.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125 $125
$78.9 ₡35.6K
58.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$933 $933
$786 ₡354.3K
18.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$851 $851
$780 ₡351.6K
9.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,355 $1,355
$3,860 ₡1.7M
-64.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,436 $1,436
$1,407 ₡634.4K
2.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,516 $1,516
$6,972 ₡3.1M
-78.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,481 $1,481
$1,201 ₡541.3K
23.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Akron, OH
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,295 $3,295
$876 ₡395.0K
276.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.08
8.62
-29.47%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Akron, OH: October 3, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Akron, OH
$851
Nosara
$780 8.4% $71
Groceries & Markets
Akron, OH
$455
Nosara
$350 23.1% $105
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Akron, OH
$363
Nosara
$180 50.4% $183
Eating Out
Akron, OH
$259
Nosara
$209 19% $49
Clothing & Footwear
Akron, OH
$156
Nosara
$120 23% $36
Getting Around
Akron, OH
$69
Nosara
$87 25.9% $18
Sport & Entertainment
Akron, OH
$68
Nosara
$87 28.8% $19

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $933 in Akron, OH and $786 in Nosara. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Akron, OH pays 276% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $76.0 in Akron, OH vs $60.0 in Nosara for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $455 vs $350 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Akron, OH
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
23:28 11:28 PM
21:28 9:28 PM
2 h behind Akron, OH
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
197,542
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 506 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Akron, OH Nosara 3,480 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Akron, OH
  • Nosara

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Akron, OH vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Akron, OH and in Nosara?
Akron, OH and Nosara differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($2,194 vs $1,837 including rent). Nosara is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Akron, OH or Nosara?
Average pay runs 276% higher in Akron, OH, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Akron, OH and in Nosara?
Rent for a central apartment: $933 in Akron, OH versus $786 in Nosara. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Akron, OH or Nosara?
All in, you'll spend $2,194 per month in Akron, OH versus $1,837 in Nosara – a 19% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Akron, OH and in Nosara?
A monthly transit pass in Nosara runs roughly 45% less than in Akron, OH. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,837 in Nosara versus $2,194 in Akron, OH, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Nosara but tight or insufficient in Akron, OH. The gap between the two cities makes Nosara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Akron, OH and Nosara?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Akron, OH or Nosara safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Akron, OH and Nosara are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Akron, OH or Nosara?
Expats usually find Nosara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Akron, OH. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Akron, OH vs other spots: cost of living compared

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