Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kingston, NY and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,839 a month against $3,100 in Kingston, NY, rent and utilities included – about $15,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Kingston, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$3,100
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,839
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,100 in Kingston, NY versus $1,839 in Nosara.

  • Kingston, NY $3,100
  • Nosara $1,839

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,485 in Kingston, NY versus $2,828 in Nosara.

  • Kingston, NY $4,485
  • Nosara $2,828

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,870 in Kingston, NY versus $3,818 in Nosara.

  • Kingston, NY $5,870
  • Nosara $3,818

Living in Kingston, NY is roughly 69% more expensive than in Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kingston, NY 130% above, Nosara 36% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.12 $25.12
$12.35 ₡5,539
103.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.4 $81.4
$61.2 ₡27.4K
33.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.77 $14.77
$7.52 ₡3,373
96.41%
Cappuccino
$6.46 $6.46
$4.41 ₡1,978
46.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$1.74 ₡780
50.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.31 ₡587
78.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.93 $7.93
$3.28 ₡1,471
141.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.79 $8.79
$4.47 ₡2,004
96.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.56 ₡701
-33.97%
White Bread (500g)
$4.58 $4.58
$3.02 ₡1,355
51.66%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.95 $6.95
$2.51 ₡1,125
176.89%
Eggs
$4.64 $4.64
$3.57 ₡1,603
29.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.21 $16.21
$7.43 ₡3,333
118.17%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.94 $10.94
$10.52 ₡4,717
3.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.24 $17.24
$13.97 ₡6,265
23.41%
Apples (1kg)
$4.77 $4.77
$2.35 ₡1,052
102.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.25 $1.25
$1.61 ₡720
-22.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.76 $4.76
$4.80 ₡2,152
-0.83%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.91 $6.91
$1.61 ₡724
329.19%
Potato (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$3.80 ₡1,703
-1.58%
Onion (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$3.69 ₡1,657
-11.65%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.13 ₡507
125.66%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.92 $1.92
$2.66 ₡1,191
-27.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$17.04 $17.04
$5.18 ₡2,321
228.96%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$19.88 ₡8,916
-24.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.89 $1.89
$2.90 ₡1,300
-34.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 $3.52
$3.63 ₡1,626
-3.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.91 $1.91
$1.12 ₡504
70.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.8 $65.8
$72.6 ₡32.6K
-9.43%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.03 $3.03
$2.14 ₡958
41.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.57 ₡703
8.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.00 $29.00
$8.52 ₡3,823
240.38%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 $0.89
$1.52 ₡682
-41.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.1K $31.1K
$21.6K ₡9.7M
43.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K $25.1K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-27.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$197 $197
$96.3 ₡43.2K
105.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$65.7 $65.7
$35.89 ₡16.1K
83.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$78.5 $78.5
$53.6 ₡24.0K
46.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.34 $42.34
$71.6 ₡32.1K
-40.86%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$61.1 $61.1
$34.91 ₡15.7K
74.94%
Cinema Ticket
$15.05 $15.05
$7.89 ₡3,539
90.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,501 $2,501
$494 ₡221.6K
406.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.7K $23.7K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
99.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.0 $51.0
$53.9 ₡24.2K
-5.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.41 $29.41
$55.4 ₡24.8K
-46.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.8 $81.8
$77.9 ₡34.9K
4.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.8 $76.8
$79.6 ₡35.7K
-3.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,860 $1,860
$788 ₡353.4K
135.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,654 $1,654
$794 ₡356.2K
108.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,318 $3,318
$3,939 ₡1.8M
-15.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,622 $2,622
$1,419 ₡636.5K
84.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,107 $3,107
$6,912 ₡3.1M
-55.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,097 $3,097
$1,224 ₡549.0K
153.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kingston, NY
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,085 $3,085
$864 ₡387.3K
257.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.68
8.62
-22.51%

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

Last update for Kingston, NY: October 12, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Kingston, NY
$1.7K
Nosara
$794 52% $859
Groceries & Markets
Kingston, NY
$440
Nosara
$352 19.9% $88
Eating Out
Kingston, NY
$400
Nosara
$212 47% $188
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kingston, NY
$342
Nosara
$186 45.6% $156
Clothing & Footwear
Kingston, NY
$108
Nosara
$120 11.7% $13
Getting Around
Kingston, NY
$85
Nosara
$87 2.5% $2.1
Sport & Entertainment
Kingston, NY
$72
Nosara
$87 20.6% $15

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,860 in Kingston, NY and $788 in Nosara. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Kingston, NY pays 257% 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: $81.0 in Kingston, NY vs $61.0 in Nosara for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $440 vs $352 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Kingston, NY
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
16:07 4:07 PM
14:07 2:07 PM
2 h behind Kingston, NY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
23,436
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.889 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 17, 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
  • Kingston, NY Nosara 3,730 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Kingston, NY
  • 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
Kingston, NY vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nosara cheaper than Kingston, NY?
Nosara is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and utilities. The 69% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Kingston, NY or Nosara?
Average pay runs 257% higher in Kingston, NY, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Kingston, NY and Nosara?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,860 in Kingston, NY versus $788 in Nosara. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Kingston, NY and in Nosara?
All in, you'll spend $3,100 per month in Kingston, NY versus $1,839 in Nosara – a 69% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Nosara runs roughly 10% less than in Kingston, NY. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for living in Kingston, NY or in Nosara?
At $1,839 in Nosara versus $3,100 in Kingston, NY, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Nosara but tight or insufficient in Kingston, NY. The gap between the two cities makes Nosara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Kingston, NY or Nosara more family-friendly?
For families, Nosara is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Kingston, NY, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Kingston, NY or Nosara?
Safety-wise, Kingston, NY 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Nosara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 69% less than in Kingston, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Kingston, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared

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