Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuta, Lombok and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Kuta, Lombok: $715 a month against $1,835 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $13,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Kuta, Lombok
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$715
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $715 per month in Kuta, Lombok vs $1,835 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Kuta, Lombok $715
  • Nosara $1,835

A couple spends around $1,191 per month in Kuta, Lombok vs $2,825 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Kuta, Lombok $1,191
  • Nosara $2,825

A family of three spends $1,667 per month in Kuta, Lombok vs $3,814 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Kuta, Lombok $1,667
  • Nosara $3,814

Kuta, Lombok is about 61% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Kuta, Lombok sits 47% below the global median, while Nosara is 35% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.64 Rp 29.6K
$12.34 ₡5,535
-86.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.32 Rp 311.7K
$61.3 ₡27.5K
-71.75%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.87 Rp 51.6K
$7.76 ₡3,481
-63.02%
Cappuccino
$1.33 Rp 23.9K
$4.44 ₡1,992
-70.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 Rp 14.4K
$1.79 ₡803
-55.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 Rp 6,940
$1.29 ₡580
-69.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.29 Rp 23.3K
$3.24 ₡1,451
-60.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 Rp 40.8K
$4.43 ₡1,985
-48.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 Rp 18.9K
$1.55 ₡696
-32.26%
White Bread (500g)
$1.52 Rp 27.4K
$3.08 ₡1,380
-50.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.76 Rp 13.6K
$2.53 ₡1,133
-69.96%
Eggs
$1.43 Rp 25.7K
$3.45 ₡1,546
-58.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.42 Rp 205.6K
$7.32 ₡3,284
56.01%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.63 Rp 47.3K
$10.24 ₡4,594
-74.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.07 Rp 145.3K
$14.10 ₡6,326
-42.77%
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 Rp 42.8K
$2.29 ₡1,027
3.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.05 Rp 18.9K
$1.64 ₡737
-35.98%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.52 Rp 27.3K
$4.79 ₡2,149
-68.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.32 Rp 23.8K
$1.64 ₡735
-19.51%
Potato (1kg)
$1.23 Rp 22.2K
$3.85 ₡1,727
-68.05%
Onion (1kg)
$1.60 Rp 28.8K
$3.75 ₡1,681
-57.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
$1.09 ₡488
-41.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36 Rp 6,400
$2.59 ₡1,160
-86.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.51 Rp 27.1K
$5.12 ₡2,295
-70.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.12 Rp 272.1K
$19.92 ₡8,931
-24.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56 Rp 28.1K
$2.80 ₡1,255
-44.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 Rp 35.2K
$3.52 ₡1,580
-44.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.14 Rp 2,576
$1.22 ₡549
-88.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.17 Rp 93.0K
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-93.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.29 Rp 5,209
$2.17 ₡973
-86.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 Rp 5,031
$1.56 ₡698
-82.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.95 Rp 71.1K
$8.67 ₡3,886
-54.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.54 Rp 9,648
$1.55 ₡697
-65.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.8K Rp 284.1M
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-54.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K Rp 376.4M
$38.7K ₡17.4M
-46.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.1 Rp 1.1M
$94.8 ₡42.5K
-35.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.95 Rp 89.2K
$36.15 ₡16.2K
-86.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.94 Rp 251.0K
$53.1 ₡23.8K
-73.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.68 Rp 534.3K
$73.8 ₡33.1K
-59.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.66 Rp 173.8K
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-72.89%
Cinema Ticket
$2.35 Rp 42.3K
$7.91 ₡3,548
-70.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$314 Rp 5.7M
$490 ₡219.9K
-35.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,692 Rp 66.5M
$11.9K ₡5.3M
-68.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.78 Rp 626.1K
$54.8 ₡24.6K
-36.52%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.09 Rp 487.7K
$55.9 ₡25.1K
-51.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.2 Rp 1.1M
$80.4 ₡36.0K
-23.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.5 Rp 1.1M
$77.9 ₡34.9K
-22.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$436 Rp 7.9M
$801 ₡359.1K
-45.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$265 Rp 4.8M
$790 ₡354.1K
-66.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,392 Rp 25.1M
$4,005 ₡1.8M
-65.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$684 Rp 12.3M
$1,409 ₡632.0K
-51.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,069 Rp 19.2M
$7,064 ₡3.2M
-84.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$884 Rp 15.9M
$1,236 ₡554.3K
-28.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kuta, Lombok
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$887 ₡397.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
8.62
59.86%

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

Last update for Kuta, Lombok: October 18, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Kuta, Lombok
$265
Nosara
$790 198% $525
Groceries & Markets
Kuta, Lombok
$193
Nosara
$350 81.5% $157
Clothing & Footwear
Kuta, Lombok
$83
Nosara
$121 46.4% $38
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuta, Lombok
$80
Nosara
$184 130% $104
Eating Out
Kuta, Lombok
$53
Nosara
$213 298% $159
Sport & Entertainment
Kuta, Lombok
$34
Nosara
$90 161% $55
Getting Around
Kuta, Lombok
$7.4
Nosara
$89 1096% $81

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $436 in Kuta, Lombok 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 $17.00 in Kuta, Lombok versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $350 – making Kuta, Lombok the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Kuta, Lombok
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
23:21 11:21 PM
09:21 9:21 AM
14 h behind Kuta, Lombok
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,000
4,912
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 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
  • Kuta, Lombok Nosara 17,610 km ≈ 23 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Kuta, Lombok
  • 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
Kuta, Lombok vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kuta, Lombok or Nosara?
Nosara costs about 157% more than Kuta, Lombok, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 Kuta, Lombok and in Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,073 per month in Kuta, Lombok 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, Kuta, Lombok or Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kuta, Lombok, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Kuta, Lombok and in Nosara?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $17.00 in Kuta, Lombok and $61.0 in Nosara. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Kuta, Lombok compared to Nosara?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $715 in Kuta, Lombok and $1,835 in Nosara. That's a gap of about 157%.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Kuta, Lombok or in Nosara?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kuta, Lombok, where all-in costs run around $715, than in Nosara at $1,835. In Kuta, Lombok it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kuta, Lombok or Nosara?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kuta, Lombok costs $715 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 Kuta, Lombok 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 Kuta, Lombok or to Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Kuta, Lombok. 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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