Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Dayton, OH

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $2,214 in Dayton, OH, rent and utilities included – about $4,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Dayton, OH
🇺🇸 United States
$2,214
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Dayton, OH

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 Dayton, OH actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,835 in Nosara versus $2,214 in Dayton, OH.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Dayton, OH $2,214

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,825 in Nosara versus $3,280 in Dayton, OH.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Dayton, OH $3,280

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,814 in Nosara versus $4,345 in Dayton, OH.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Dayton, OH $4,345

Living in Nosara costs roughly 17% less than in Dayton, OH, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Nosara 35% above, Dayton, OH 63% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$14.47 $14.47
-14.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$71.1 $71.1
-13.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$9.90 $9.90
-21.62%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$4.25 $4.25
4.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$2.24 $2.24
-20.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$1.86 $1.86
-30.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$4.62 $4.62
-29.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$5.93 $5.93
-25.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$0.79 $0.79
96.20%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$2.72 $2.72
13.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$3.77 $3.77
-32.89%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$3.61 $3.61
-4.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$13.32 $13.32
-45.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$24.28 $24.28
-57.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$17.25 $17.25
-18.26%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$5.87 $5.87
-60.99%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$1.94 $1.94
-15.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$7.23 $7.23
-33.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$5.23 $5.23
-68.64%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$2.70 $2.70
42.59%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$3.16 $3.16
18.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$2.21 $2.21
-50.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$2.78 $2.78
-6.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$9.68 $9.68
-47.11%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$19.70 $19.70
1.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$1.76 $1.76
59.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$3.56 $3.56
-1.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$4.02 $4.02
-69.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
$49.33 $49.33
49.81%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$5.07 $5.07
-57.20%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$1.81 $1.81
-13.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$50.9 $50.9
-82.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$1.03 $1.03
50.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$27.5K $27.5K
25.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$26.8K $26.8K
44.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$205 $205
-53.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$50.2 $50.2
-27.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$59.1 $59.1
-10.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$32.95 $32.95
123.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
$45.30 $45.30
-21.35%
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$14.14 $14.14
-44.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$529 $529
-7.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$6,520 $6,520
82.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$39.13 $39.13
40.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$47.07 $47.07
18.72%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$70.4 $70.4
14.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$122 $122
-36.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$1,194 $1,194
-32.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$901 $901
-12.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$1,597 $1,597
150.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$1,398 $1,398
0.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$1,451 $1,451
-14.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Dayton, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
$3,416 $3,416
-74.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.74
27.89%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Dayton, OH: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Dayton, OH
$901 14.1% $111
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Dayton, OH
$486 38.9% $136
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Dayton, OH
$248 16.6% $35
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Dayton, OH
$314 70.6% $130
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Dayton, OH
$126 3.7% $4.5
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Dayton, OH
$61 31.7% $28
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Dayton, OH
$80 10.4% $9.2

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $801 in Nosara and $1,194 in Dayton, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dayton, OH pays 285% 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: $61.0 in Nosara vs $71.0 in Dayton, OH for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $350 vs $486 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Dayton, OH
🕒 Local time
18:25 6:25 PM
20:25 8:25 PM
2 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
156,771
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 21, 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 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Dayton, OH 3,310 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Dayton, OH

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 Dayton, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nosara or Dayton, OH?
Nosara wins on cost – living expenses run 21% lower than in Dayton, OH. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Nosara the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Nosara or in Dayton, OH?
On paper, salaries run 285% lower in Dayton, OH. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Nosara compared to Dayton, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $801 in Nosara versus $1,194 in Dayton, OH. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Nosara compared to Dayton, OH?
All in, you'll spend $1,835 per month in Nosara versus $2,214 in Dayton, OH – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Nosara compared to Dayton, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Nosara runs roughly 50% less than in Dayton, OH. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Nosara or in Dayton, OH?
At $1,835 in Nosara versus $2,214 in Dayton, OH, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Nosara but tight or insufficient in Dayton, OH. The gap between the two cities makes Nosara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Nosara or Dayton, OH?
Both work as nomad bases, but Nosara delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,835 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Nosara hard to pass up.
How safe is Nosara compared to Dayton, OH?
Safety-wise, Nosara and Dayton, OH 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Nosara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Dayton, OH. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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