Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Najran and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Najran: $1,219 a month against $1,839 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $7,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Najran
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,219
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,839
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,219 per month in Najran vs $1,839 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Najran $1,219
  • Nosara $1,839

A couple spends around $1,857 per month in Najran vs $2,828 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Najran $1,857
  • Nosara $2,828

A family of three spends $2,495 per month in Najran vs $3,818 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Najran $2,495
  • Nosara $3,818

Najran is about 34% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Najran sits 10% below the global median, while Nosara is 36% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.06 SAR 30.25
$12.35 ₡5,539
-34.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.02 SAR 139
$61.2 ₡27.4K
-39.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.39 SAR 35.22
$7.52 ₡3,373
24.87%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 SAR 6.37
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 SAR 5.11
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.49 SAR 16.84
$4.41 ₡1,978
1.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 SAR 2.46
$1.74 ₡780
-62.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 SAR 1.11
$1.31 ₡587
-77.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.28 ₡1,471
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.47 ₡2,004
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.73 SAR 10.25
$1.56 ₡701
75.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 SAR 4.74
$3.02 ₡1,355
-58.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.27 SAR 8.53
$2.51 ₡1,125
-9.56%
Eggs
$2.42 SAR 9.10
$3.57 ₡1,603
-32.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.44 SAR 27.93
$7.43 ₡3,333
0.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.82 SAR 29.35
$10.52 ₡4,717
-25.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.81 SAR 48.09
$13.97 ₡6,265
-8.30%
Apples (1kg)
$2.21 SAR 8.28
$2.35 ₡1,052
-5.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 SAR 6.39
$1.61 ₡720
5.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 SAR 6.21
$4.80 ₡2,152
-65.42%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.59 SAR 5.95
$1.61 ₡724
-1.24%
Potato (1kg)
$1.22 SAR 4.57
$3.80 ₡1,703
-67.89%
Onion (1kg)
$1.31 SAR 4.93
$3.69 ₡1,657
-64.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.23 SAR 4.63
$1.13 ₡507
8.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 SAR 2.03
$2.66 ₡1,191
-79.70%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.95 SAR 11.07
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 SAR 6.58
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 SAR 7.59
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79 SAR 25.50
$5.18 ₡2,321
31.08%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$19.88 ₡8,916
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.90 ₡1,300
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.63 ₡1,626
-
🚌 Getting Around
Najran
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.10 SAR 4.12
$1.12 ₡504
-1.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$36.74 SAR 138
$72.6 ₡32.6K
-49.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.62 SAR 9.84
$2.14 ₡958
22.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.83 SAR 6.87
$1.57 ₡703
16.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.20 SAR 49.52
$8.52 ₡3,823
54.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.50 SAR 1.86
$1.52 ₡682
-67.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.7K SAR 167.7K
$21.6K ₡9.7M
106.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K SAR 78.5K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-39.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$103 SAR 388
$96.3 ₡43.2K
7.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.18 SAR 125
$35.89 ₡16.1K
-7.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.4 SAR 246
$53.6 ₡24.0K
22.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$80.4 SAR 302
$71.6 ₡32.1K
12.24%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$81.0 SAR 304
$34.91 ₡15.7K
132.05%
Cinema Ticket
$13.13 SAR 49.27
$7.89 ₡3,539
66.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$424 SAR 1,591
$494 ₡221.6K
-14.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,073 SAR 30.3K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
-31.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.02 SAR 158
$53.9 ₡24.2K
-22.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.7 SAR 209
$55.4 ₡24.8K
0.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.7 SAR 356
$77.9 ₡34.9K
21.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.3 SAR 324
$79.6 ₡35.7K
8.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Najran
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$586 SAR 2,198
$788 ₡353.4K
-25.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$370 SAR 1,388
$794 ₡356.2K
-53.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$817 SAR 3,066
$3,939 ₡1.8M
-79.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$569 SAR 2,137
$1,419 ₡636.5K
-59.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,369 SAR 8,888
$6,912 ₡3.1M
-65.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,393 SAR 5,229
$1,224 ₡549.0K
13.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Najran
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,709 SAR 6,412
$864 ₡387.3K
97.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.54
8.62
-35.73%

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

Last update for Najran: 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
Najran
$370
Nosara
$794 115% $424
Groceries & Markets
Najran
$212
Nosara
$352 66.1% $140
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Najran
$202
Nosara
$186 8% $16
Eating Out
Najran
$150
Nosara
$212 40.9% $62
Clothing & Footwear
Najran
$125
Nosara
$120 4.3% $5.4
Sport & Entertainment
Najran
$107
Nosara
$87 18% $19
Getting Around
Najran
$53
Nosara
$87 64.6% $34

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $586 in Najran 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 98% higher in Najran, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Najran versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $212 vs $352 – making Najran the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Najran
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
14:31 2:31 PM
05:31 5:31 AM
9 h behind Najran
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
298,288
4,912
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to SAR – Saudi Riyal Converter

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.22 SAR (1 SAR = 0.237 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
  • Najran Nosara 13,720 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Najran
  • 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
Najran vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Najran or Nosara?
Nosara costs about 51% more than Najran, 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 Najran and in Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,829 per month in Najran and $2,758 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Najran or Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Najran, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Najran compared to Nosara?
Public transport costs about 98% less in Najran. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Najran and in Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $424 per month in Najran and $494 in Nosara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Najran or in Nosara?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Najran, where all-in costs run around $1,219, than in Nosara at $1,839. In Najran it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Najran or Nosara?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Najran costs $1,219 versus $1,839 in Nosara. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Najran 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 Najran or to Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Najran. 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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