Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cornwall, ON and Nosara

For one person, living costs are similar in Cornwall, ON and in Nosara: $1,879 and $1,839 a month, rent and utilities included.

Cornwall, ON
🇨🇦 Canada
$1,879
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,839
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cornwall, ON 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 Cornwall, ON and in Nosara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,879 per month in Cornwall, ON vs $1,839 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Cornwall, ON $1,879
  • Nosara $1,839

A couple spends around $2,769 per month in Cornwall, ON vs $2,828 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Cornwall, ON $2,769
  • Nosara $2,828

A family of three spends $3,660 per month in Cornwall, ON vs $3,818 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Cornwall, ON $3,660
  • Nosara $3,818

Cornwall, ON costs about 2% more than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Cornwall, ON and Nosara sit above the global median – Cornwall, ON by 39%, Nosara by 36%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.50 CA$20.50
$12.35 ₡5,539
17.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.8 CA$90.1
$61.2 ₡27.4K
4.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.04 CA$15.61
$7.52 ₡3,373
46.81%
Cappuccino
$3.43 CA$4.85
$4.41 ₡1,978
-22.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 CA$2.86
$1.74 ₡780
16.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 CA$1.80
$1.31 ₡587
-3.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.57 CA$6.46
$3.28 ₡1,471
39.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.66 CA$8.00
$4.47 ₡2,004
26.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.00 CA$2.83
$1.56 ₡701
28.21%
White Bread (500g)
$2.10 CA$2.97
$3.02 ₡1,355
-30.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.52 CA$3.56
$2.51 ₡1,125
0.40%
Eggs
$2.51 CA$3.54
$3.57 ₡1,603
-29.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.54 CA$7.83
$7.43 ₡3,333
-25.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.27 CA$14.51
$10.52 ₡4,717
-2.38%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.61 CA$13.59
$13.97 ₡6,265
-31.21%
Apples (1kg)
$3.02 CA$4.26
$2.35 ₡1,052
28.51%
Banana (1kg)
$0.88 CA$1.25
$1.61 ₡720
-45.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.39 CA$4.80
$4.80 ₡2,152
-29.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.43 CA$4.85
$1.61 ₡724
113.04%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 CA$3.65
$3.80 ₡1,703
-32.11%
Onion (1kg)
$2.21 CA$3.13
$3.69 ₡1,657
-40.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.20 CA$1.70
$1.13 ₡507
6.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 CA$2.35
$2.66 ₡1,191
-37.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.23 CA$14.46
$5.18 ₡2,321
97.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.12 CA$17.14
$19.88 ₡8,916
-39.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.16 CA$3.06
$2.90 ₡1,300
-25.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 CA$3.52
$3.63 ₡1,626
-31.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.09 CA$2.95
$1.12 ₡504
86.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$47.24 CA$66.8
$72.6 ₡32.6K
-34.97%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.78 CA$3.93
$2.14 ₡958
29.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 CA$1.66
$1.57 ₡703
-25.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.68 CA$36.30
$8.52 ₡3,823
201.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 CA$1.55
$1.52 ₡682
-27.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4K CA$35.9K
$21.6K ₡9.7M
17.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.9K CA$26.8K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-45.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$117 CA$165
$96.3 ₡43.2K
21.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.86 CA$53.5
$35.89 ₡16.1K
5.49%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.2 CA$87.9
$53.6 ₡24.0K
15.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$19.78 CA$27.96
$71.6 ₡32.1K
-72.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.49 CA$17.66
$34.91 ₡15.7K
-64.22%
Cinema Ticket
$10.67 CA$15.08
$7.89 ₡3,539
35.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$488 CA$689
$494 ₡221.6K
-1.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.2K CA$15.9K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
-5.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 CA$72.5
$53.9 ₡24.2K
-4.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.46 CA$47.31
$55.4 ₡24.8K
-39.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.0 CA$113
$77.9 ₡34.9K
2.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.9 CA$120
$79.6 ₡35.7K
6.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,017 CA$1,437
$788 ₡353.4K
29.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$922 CA$1,303
$794 ₡356.2K
16.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,994 CA$2,819
$3,939 ₡1.8M
-49.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,483 CA$2,096
$1,419 ₡636.5K
4.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,482 CA$3,509
$6,912 ₡3.1M
-64.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,040 CA$2,884
$1,224 ₡549.0K
66.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cornwall, ON
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,973 CA$4,203
$864 ₡387.3K
244.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.58
8.62
-46.87%

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

Last update for Cornwall, ON: October 11, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cornwall, ON
$922
Nosara
$794 13.8% $127
Groceries & Markets
Cornwall, ON
$286
Nosara
$352 23.2% $66
Eating Out
Cornwall, ON
$238
Nosara
$212 10.9% $26
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cornwall, ON
$217
Nosara
$186 14.2% $31
Clothing & Footwear
Cornwall, ON
$112
Nosara
$120 6.9% $7.8
Getting Around
Cornwall, ON
$64
Nosara
$87 35.6% $23
Sport & Entertainment
Cornwall, ON
$41
Nosara
$87 113% $46

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,017 in Cornwall, ON versus $788 in Nosara. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 244% higher in Cornwall, ON, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $64.0 in Cornwall, ON versus $61.0 in Nosara. Groceries tell a different story – $286 in Cornwall, ON vs $352 in Nosara – so Cornwall, ON wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Cornwall, ON
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
12:00 12:00 PM
10:00 10:00 AM
2 h behind Cornwall, ON
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
46,867
4,912
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cornwall, ON Nosara 4,030 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cornwall, ON
  • 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
Cornwall, ON vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Cornwall, ON and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,879 in Cornwall, ON, $1,839 in Nosara – roughly 2% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Cornwall, ON compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,819 per month in Cornwall, ON and $2,758 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Cornwall, ON and Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Nosara, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Cornwall, ON or Nosara?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,879 in Cornwall, ON and $1,839 in Nosara. That's a gap of about 2%.
How do commuting costs compare in Cornwall, ON and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 54% less in Nosara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,839, than in Cornwall, ON at $1,879. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cornwall, ON it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Cornwall, ON and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,839 in Nosara to $1,879 in Cornwall, ON. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Cornwall, ON or Nosara safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Cornwall, ON and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cornwall, ON makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Cornwall, ON vs other spots: cost of living compared

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