Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Gilgit and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Gilgit: $439 a month against $1,835 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $16,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Gilgit
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$439
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $439 per month in Gilgit vs $1,835 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Gilgit $439
  • Nosara $1,835

A couple spends around $656 per month in Gilgit vs $2,825 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Gilgit $656
  • Nosara $2,825

A family of three spends $872 per month in Gilgit vs $3,814 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Gilgit $872
  • Nosara $3,814

Gilgit is about 76% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Gilgit sits 68% below the global median, while Nosara is 35% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.48 PKR 411
$12.34 ₡5,535
-88.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.94 PKR 3,029
$61.3 ₡27.5K
-82.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.30 PKR 1,467
$7.76 ₡3,481
-31.70%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.60 PKR 719
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.29 PKR 1,464
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.64 PKR 454
$4.44 ₡1,992
-63.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 PKR 89.9
$1.79 ₡803
-82.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 PKR 58.3
$1.29 ₡580
-83.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.24 ₡1,451
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.43 ₡1,985
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.79 PKR 220
$1.55 ₡696
-49.03%
White Bread (500g)
$0.64 PKR 176
$3.08 ₡1,380
-79.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.14 PKR 315
$2.53 ₡1,133
-54.94%
Eggs
$1.14 PKR 316
$3.45 ₡1,546
-66.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.62 PKR 1,556
$7.32 ₡3,284
-23.22%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.46 PKR 682
$10.24 ₡4,594
-75.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.86 PKR 1,344
$14.10 ₡6,326
-65.53%
Apples (1kg)
$1.17 PKR 325
$2.29 ₡1,027
-48.91%
Banana (1kg)
$0.55 PKR 152
$1.64 ₡737
-66.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.79 PKR 219
$4.79 ₡2,149
-83.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56 PKR 155
$1.64 ₡735
-65.85%
Potato (1kg)
$0.30 PKR 83.8
$3.85 ₡1,727
-92.21%
Onion (1kg)
$0.39 PKR 107
$3.75 ₡1,681
-89.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.45 PKR 124
$1.09 ₡488
-58.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37 PKR 103
$2.59 ₡1,160
-85.71%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.80 PKR 499
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11 PKR 307
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34 PKR 649
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.95 PKR 539
$5.12 ₡2,295
-61.91%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$19.92 ₡8,931
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.80 ₡1,255
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.52 ₡1,580
-
🚌 Getting Around
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.17 PKR 48.31
$1.22 ₡549
-86.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.11 PKR 2,797
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-86.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.06 PKR 292
$2.17 ₡973
-51.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.71 PKR 196
$1.56 ₡698
-54.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.61 PKR 444
$8.67 ₡3,886
-81.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 PKR 326
$1.55 ₡697
-23.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K PKR 5.9M
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-38.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K PKR 6.7M
$38.7K ₡17.4M
-37.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$100 PKR 27.7K
$94.8 ₡42.5K
5.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.54 PKR 1,535
$36.15 ₡16.2K
-84.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.42 PKR 3,991
$53.1 ₡23.8K
-72.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.11 PKR 4,182
$73.8 ₡33.1K
-79.52%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.27 PKR 2,289
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-76.79%
Cinema Ticket
$4.35 PKR 1,204
$7.91 ₡3,548
-45.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$43.23 PKR 12.0K
$490 ₡219.9K
-91.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,055 PKR 292.1K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
-91.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.11 PKR 4,735
$54.8 ₡24.6K
-68.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.40 PKR 6,476
$55.9 ₡25.1K
-58.12%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.6 PKR 18.4K
$80.4 ₡36.0K
-17.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.21 PKR 9,191
$77.9 ₡34.9K
-57.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$126 PKR 34.8K
$801 ₡359.1K
-84.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$76.8 PKR 21.3K
$790 ₡354.1K
-90.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$257 PKR 71.0K
$4,005 ₡1.8M
-93.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$150 PKR 41.6K
$1,409 ₡632.0K
-89.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$926 PKR 256.4K
$7,064 ₡3.2M
-86.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$474 PKR 131.2K
$1,236 ₡554.3K
-61.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gilgit
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$887 ₡397.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13
8.62
50.81%

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

Last update for Gilgit: October 19, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gilgit
$120
Nosara
$184 53.2% $64
Groceries & Markets
Gilgit
$90
Nosara
$350 288% $259
Accommodation & Living
Gilgit
$77
Nosara
$790 928% $713
Clothing & Footwear
Gilgit
$63
Nosara
$121 91.7% $58
Eating Out
Gilgit
$50
Nosara
$213 329% $163
Sport & Entertainment
Gilgit
$24
Nosara
$90 276% $66
Getting Around
Gilgit
$15
Nosara
$89 476% $73

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $126 in Gilgit 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 $11.00 in Gilgit versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $90.0 vs $350 – making Gilgit the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇰 Gilgit
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
00:08 12:08 AM
13:08 1:08 PM
11 h behind Gilgit
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
216,760
4,912
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 20, 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
  • Gilgit Nosara 14,500 km ≈ 19 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Gilgit
  • 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
Gilgit vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Gilgit or Nosara?
Nosara costs about 318% more than Gilgit, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Gilgit and in Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $659 per month in Gilgit and $2,753 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Gilgit or Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gilgit, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Gilgit or in Nosara?
Groceries cost about 287% more in Nosara, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Gilgit and in Nosara?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Gilgit and $61.0 in Nosara. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Gilgit or in Nosara?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Gilgit, where all-in costs run around $439, than in Nosara at $1,835. In Gilgit it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Gilgit or Nosara?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gilgit costs $439 versus $1,835 in Nosara. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Gilgit compared to Nosara?
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.
Should I move to Gilgit or to Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Gilgit. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Nosara makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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