Cost of Living Comparison Between Noord and Santa Cruz Cost of Living Comparison Between Noord and Santa Cruz

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,831 per month in Noord vs $1,858 in Santa Cruz, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,105 per month in Noord vs $2,852 in Santa Cruz, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,378 per month in Noord vs $3,845 in Santa Cruz, rent included.

Noord is about 1% cheaper than Santa Cruz, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Noord and Santa Cruz sit above the global median – Noord by 34%, Santa Cruz by 36%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$23.38 AWG 41.85

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.0 AWG 156

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 AWG 5.25

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 AWG 3.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.69 AWG 15.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.26 AWG 16.57

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 AWG 3.43

$2.19 AWG 3.92

-12.79%

White Bread (500g)

$2.98 AWG 5.34

$2.66 AWG 4.75

12.03%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.84 AWG 5.08

$4.47 AWG 7.99

-36.47%

Eggs

$6.32 AWG 11.30

$4.59 AWG 8.22

37.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.43 AWG 22.24

$7.93 AWG 14.19

56.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.36 AWG 16.76

$7.40 AWG 13.24

26.49%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.03 AWG 21.53

$6.83 AWG 12.22

76.13%

Apples (1kg)

$4.76 AWG 8.52

$4.47 AWG 8.00

6.49%

Banana (1kg)

$2.31 AWG 4.13

$4.53 AWG 8.10

-49.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.05 AWG 9.03

$8.40 AWG 15.04

-39.88%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.56 AWG 6.37

$6.58 AWG 11.78

-45.90%

Potato (1kg)

$2.25 AWG 4.03

$6.89 AWG 12.33

-67.34%

Onion (1kg)

$2.02 AWG 3.62

$1.89 AWG 3.38

6.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.63 AWG 4.71

$3.11 AWG 5.56

-15.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.56 AWG 2.80

$4.31 AWG 7.71

-63.81%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.11 AWG 18.09

$10.20 AWG 18.26

-0.88%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.19 AWG 18.23

$19.73 AWG 35.31

-48.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.82 AWG 10.43

$2.45 AWG 4.39

137.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.35 AWG 7.79

$3.03 AWG 5.43

43.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.91 AWG 3.42

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$154 AWG 276

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$19.74 AWG 35.33

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.22 AWG 34.39

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.73 AWG 4.89

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$141 AWG 252

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$71.2 AWG 127

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$207 AWG 371

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.4 AWG 122

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.86 AWG 83.9

Cinema Ticket

$8.53 AWG 15.27

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$138 AWG 247

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$79.0 AWG 141

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$111 AWG 198

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 AWG 250

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 AWG 247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,490 AWG 2,667

$1,272 AWG 2,276

17.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,192 AWG 2,134

$566 AWG 1,013

110.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,848 AWG 5,097

$1,557 AWG 2,787

82.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,508 AWG 4,489

$1,402 AWG 2,510

78.85%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,591 AWG 6,428

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

Last update for Noord: September 14, 2026

Last update for Santa Cruz: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,490 in Noord versus $1,272 in Santa Cruz. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

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

Noord vs Santa Cruz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Cruz costs about 1% more than Noord, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,747 per month in Noord and $2,788 in Santa Cruz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Noord, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,831 in Noord and $1,858 in Santa Cruz. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 13% more in Santa Cruz, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Noord, where all-in costs run around $1,831, than in Santa Cruz at $1,858. In Noord it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Cruz it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Noord – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Noord. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Cruz makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.