Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Geneva, IL and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $2,350 in Geneva, IL, rent and utilities included – about $6,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Geneva, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,350
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,350 per month in Geneva, IL vs $1,835 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Geneva, IL $2,350
  • Nosara $1,835

A couple spends around $3,481 per month in Geneva, IL vs $2,825 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Geneva, IL $3,481
  • Nosara $2,825

A family of three spends $4,612 per month in Geneva, IL vs $3,814 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Geneva, IL $4,612
  • Nosara $3,814

Geneva, IL costs about 28% more than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Geneva, IL and Nosara sit above the global median – Geneva, IL by 73%, Nosara by 35%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.21 $14.21
$12.34 ₡5,535
15.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.2 $68.2
$61.3 ₡27.5K
11.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.13 $12.13
$7.76 ₡3,481
56.31%
Cappuccino
$5.38 $5.38
$4.44 ₡1,992
21.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02 $3.02
$1.79 ₡803
68.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$1.29 ₡580
77.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.15 $6.15
$3.24 ₡1,451
89.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.01 $8.01
$4.43 ₡1,985
80.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.78 $0.78
$1.55 ₡696
-49.68%
White Bread (500g)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.08 ₡1,380
-11.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.53 ₡1,133
15.42%
Eggs
$3.44 $3.44
$3.45 ₡1,546
-0.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.63 $7.63
$7.32 ₡3,284
4.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.55 $11.55
$10.24 ₡4,594
12.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.52 $10.52
$14.10 ₡6,326
-25.39%
Apples (1kg)
$4.69 $4.69
$2.29 ₡1,027
104.80%
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 $1.65
$1.64 ₡737
0.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.60 $3.60
$4.79 ₡2,149
-24.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.84 $4.84
$1.64 ₡735
195.12%
Potato (1kg)
$1.78 $1.78
$3.85 ₡1,727
-53.77%
Onion (1kg)
$2.96 $2.96
$3.75 ₡1,681
-21.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.09 ₡488
46.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.59 ₡1,160
-6.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.69 $10.69
$5.12 ₡2,295
108.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.08 $8.08
$19.92 ₡8,931
-59.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.80 ₡1,255
-36.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47 $4.47
$3.52 ₡1,580
26.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.20 $2.20
$1.22 ₡549
80.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.10 $4.10
$2.17 ₡973
88.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.56 ₡698
28.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$44.12 $44.12
$8.67 ₡3,886
408.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.55 ₡697
-29.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8K $24.8K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-28.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$38.7K ₡17.4M
-33.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$176 $176
$94.8 ₡42.5K
85.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.6 $52.6
$36.15 ₡16.2K
45.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.1 $67.1
$53.1 ₡23.8K
26.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.52 $35.52
$73.8 ₡33.1K
-51.86%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.86 $11.86
$7.91 ₡3,548
49.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,528 $1,528
$490 ₡219.9K
211.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.9K $23.9K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
100.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.6 $55.6
$54.8 ₡24.6K
1.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.8 $50.8
$55.9 ₡25.1K
-9.11%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.3 $88.3
$80.4 ₡36.0K
9.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 $122
$77.9 ₡34.9K
57.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,820 $1,820
$801 ₡359.1K
127.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,221 $1,221
$790 ₡354.1K
54.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,229 $2,229
$4,005 ₡1.8M
-44.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,128 $2,128
$1,409 ₡632.0K
51.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,121 $3,121
$7,064 ₡3.2M
-55.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,190 $2,190
$1,236 ₡554.3K
77.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Geneva, IL
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$887 ₡397.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
8.62
-25.41%

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

Last update for Geneva, IL: October 17, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Geneva, IL
$1.2K
Nosara
$790 35.3% $431
Groceries & Markets
Geneva, IL
$326
Nosara
$350 7.3% $24
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Geneva, IL
$295
Nosara
$184 37.7% $111
Eating Out
Geneva, IL
$283
Nosara
$213 24.8% $70
Clothing & Footwear
Geneva, IL
$143
Nosara
$121 15.2% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Geneva, IL
$59
Nosara
$90 51.3% $30
Getting Around
Geneva, IL
$23 *
Nosara
$89 287% $66

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,820 in Geneva, IL versus $801 in Nosara. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $68.0 in Geneva, IL versus $61.0 in Nosara. Groceries tell a different story – $326 in Geneva, IL vs $350 in Nosara – so Geneva, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Geneva, IL
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
22:13 10:13 PM
21:13 9:13 PM
1 h behind Geneva, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
12,812
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 22, 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
  • Geneva, IL Nosara 3,560 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Geneva, IL
  • 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
Geneva, IL vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Geneva, IL and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,350 in Geneva, IL, $1,835 in Nosara – roughly 28% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Geneva, IL compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,524 per month in Geneva, IL and $2,753 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Geneva, IL 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: Geneva, IL or Nosara?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,350 in Geneva, IL and $1,835 in Nosara. That's a gap of about 28%.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Geneva, IL and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $1,528 per month in Geneva, IL and $490 in Nosara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
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 $1,835, than in Geneva, IL at $2,350. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Geneva, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Geneva, IL and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,835 in Nosara to $2,350 in Geneva, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Geneva, IL 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 Geneva, IL and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Geneva, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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