Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Crookston, MN

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $2,650 in Crookston, MN, rent and utilities included – about $9,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Crookston, MN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,650
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Crookston, MN

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Nosara and in Crookston, MN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,835 per month in Nosara vs $2,650 in Crookston, MN, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Crookston, MN $2,650

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Nosara vs $3,908 in Crookston, MN, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Crookston, MN $3,908

A family of three spends $3,814 per month in Nosara vs $5,165 in Crookston, MN, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Crookston, MN $5,165

Nosara is about 31% cheaper than Crookston, MN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Crookston, MN sit above the global median – Nosara by 35%, Crookston, MN by 96%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$22.28 $22.28
-44.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$76.6 $76.6
-19.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$10.17 $10.17
-23.70%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$5.16 $5.16
-13.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$2.47 $2.47
-27.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$1.94 $1.94
-33.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$6.01 $6.01
-46.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$7.73 $7.73
-42.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$1.07 $1.07
44.86%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$3.49 $3.49
-11.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$4.40 $4.40
-42.50%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$4.24 $4.24
-18.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$12.57 $12.57
-41.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$11.63 $11.63
-11.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$16.76 $16.76
-15.87%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$5.07 $5.07
-54.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$1.63 $1.63
0.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$4.25 $4.25
12.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$4.61 $4.61
-64.43%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$2.73 $2.73
41.03%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$2.91 $2.91
28.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$2.20 $2.20
-50.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$2.26 $2.26
14.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$9.46 $9.46
-45.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$15.06 $15.06
32.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$1.98 $1.98
41.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$3.43 $3.43
2.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$1.95 $1.95
-37.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
$86.8 $86.8
-14.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$3.41 $3.41
-36.36%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$1.91 $1.91
-18.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$27.68 $27.68
-68.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$1.01 $1.01
53.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$27.8K $27.8K
24.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$26.3K $26.3K
47.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$202 $202
-53.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$57.8 $57.8
-37.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$69.2 $69.2
-23.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$41.43 $41.43
78.08%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$13.93 $13.93
-43.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$1,398 $1,398
-64.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$23.8K $23.8K
-49.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$53.4 $53.4
2.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$40.67 $40.67
37.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$88.1 $88.1
-8.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$113 $113
-30.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$1,591 $1,591
-49.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$1,279 $1,279
-38.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$2,530 $2,530
58.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$2,150 $2,150
-34.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
$2,697 $2,697
161.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$2,377 $2,377
-48.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Crookston, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
$3,552 $3,552
-75.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.57
31.20%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Crookston, MN: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Crookston, MN
$1.3K 62% $489
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Crookston, MN
$398 13.9% $49
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Crookston, MN
$334 57% $121
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Crookston, MN
$329 78.7% $145
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Crookston, MN
$133 9.7% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Crookston, MN
$69 22.7% $20
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Crookston, MN
$108 21.2% $19

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $801 in Nosara versus $1,591 in Crookston, MN. 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 301% higher in Crookston, MN, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61.0 in Nosara versus $77.0 in Crookston, MN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $398 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Crookston, MN
🕒 Local time
10:16 10:16 AM
11:16 11:16 AM
1 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
7,500
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

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).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Crookston, MN 4,330 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Crookston, MN

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
Nosara vs Crookston, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nosara or Crookston, MN?
Crookston, MN costs about 44% more than Nosara, 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 Nosara and in Crookston, MN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,753 per month in Nosara and $3,974 in Crookston, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Nosara or Crookston, MN?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Nosara, 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 Nosara compared to Crookston, MN?
Public transport costs about 17% less in Nosara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Nosara and in Crookston, MN?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $1,398 in Crookston, MN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Nosara or in Crookston, MN?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,835, than in Crookston, MN at $2,650. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Crookston, MN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Nosara or Crookston, MN?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Nosara costs $1,835 versus $2,650 in Crookston, MN. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Nosara compared to Crookston, MN?
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 Nosara or to Crookston, MN?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Crookston, MN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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