Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Dickinson, ND

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,844 a month against $2,616 in Dickinson, ND, rent and utilities included – about $9,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara, Costa Rica
Dickinson, ND, United States
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,844
/mo nomad
Dickinson, ND
🇺🇸 United States
$2,616
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Dickinson, ND

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 Dickinson, ND actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,844 in Nosara versus $2,616 in Dickinson, ND.

  • Nosara $1,844
  • Dickinson, ND $2,616

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,817 in Nosara versus $3,852 in Dickinson, ND.

  • Nosara $2,817
  • Dickinson, ND $3,852

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,790 in Nosara versus $5,089 in Dickinson, ND.

  • Nosara $3,790
  • Dickinson, ND $5,089

Living in Nosara costs roughly 30% less than in Dickinson, ND, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Nosara 36% above, Dickinson, ND 93% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.38 ₡5,568
$19.78 $19.78
-37.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.6 ₡27.2K
$80.8 $80.8
-24.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.81 ₡3,513
$12.49 $12.49
-37.47%
Cappuccino
$4.37 ₡1,966
$5.40 $5.40
-19.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 ₡800
$3.03 $3.03
-41.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡605
$2.28 $2.28
-40.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 ₡1,526
$6.61 $6.61
-48.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.31 ₡1,939
$7.58 $7.58
-43.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡699
$1.05 $1.05
47.62%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,425
$3.49 $3.49
-9.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,130
$2.86 $2.86
-12.24%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,585
$4.21 $4.21
-16.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.37 ₡3,313
$12.66 $12.66
-41.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.46 ₡4,703
$11.77 $11.77
-11.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.91 ₡6,255
$17.21 $17.21
-19.17%
Apples (1kg)
$2.26 ₡1,018
$5.21 $5.21
-56.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 ₡701
$1.65 $1.65
-5.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.70 ₡2,113
$2.43 $2.43
93.42%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.62 ₡729
$4.66 $4.66
-65.24%
Potato (1kg)
$3.88 ₡1,746
$2.76 $2.76
40.58%
Onion (1kg)
$3.79 ₡1,704
$2.92 $2.92
29.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ₡481
$2.21 $2.21
-51.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.61 ₡1,174
$2.20 $2.20
18.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.16 ₡2,319
$9.41 $9.41
-45.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.33 ₡9,143
$14.80 $14.80
37.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.91 ₡1,310
$2.01 $2.01
44.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ₡1,651
$3.50 $3.50
4.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.31 ₡588
$1.75 $1.75
-25.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.2 ₡32.9K
$60.7 $60.7
20.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.19 ₡984
$3.42 $3.42
-35.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.84 ₡829
$1.84 $1.84
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.81 ₡3,513
$33.58 $33.58
-76.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.56 ₡702
$1.14 $1.14
36.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4K ₡15.0M
$32.0K $32.0K
4.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.1K ₡17.1M
$26.9K $26.9K
41.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$95.9 ₡43.1K
$219 $219
-56.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.37 ₡15.9K
$54.7 $54.7
-35.30%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.7 ₡24.1K
$67.5 $67.5
-20.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.5 ₡30.3K
$44.41 $44.41
51.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.43 ₡15.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.72 ₡3,473
$14.20 $14.20
-45.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$496 ₡222.8K
$1,339 $1,339
-62.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$21.3K $21.3K
-44.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.6 ₡24.6K
$52.5 $52.5
4.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.0 ₡24.7K
$36.18 $36.18
52.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.8 ₡35.9K
$82.6 $82.6
-3.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡35.0K
$121 $121
-35.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$817 ₡367.5K
$917 $917
-10.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$800 ₡359.7K
$1,273 $1,273
-37.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,889 ₡1.7M
$2,551 $2,551
52.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,396 ₡627.6K
$2,135 $2,135
-34.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,977 ₡3.1M
$1,567 $1,567
345.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,222 ₡549.6K
$1,593 $1,593
-23.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$879 ₡395.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.59
30.80%

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

Last update for Nosara: November 3, 2026

Last update for Dickinson, ND: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$800
Dickinson, ND
$1.3K 59.1% $473
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$353
Dickinson, ND
$387 9.8% $35
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Dickinson, ND
$330 54.9% $117
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$185
Dickinson, ND
$341 84.3% $156
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Dickinson, ND
$132 9.3% $11
Getting Around
Nosara
$90
Dickinson, ND
$80 10.6% $9.5
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$83
Dickinson, ND
$73 12.2% $10

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $817 in Nosara and $917 in Dickinson, ND. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $61 in Nosara vs $81 in Dickinson, ND for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $353 vs $387 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Dickinson, ND
🕒 Local time
22:22 10:22 PM
21:22 9:22 PM
1 h behind Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
15,636
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 450 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Dickinson, ND 4,410 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Dickinson, ND

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 Dickinson, ND: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nosara cheaper than Dickinson, ND?
Nosara is about 30% cheaper overall, especially in eating out, groceries, and utilities. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You’d need roughly $2,765 in Nosara and $3,923 in Dickinson, ND to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Nosara and Dickinson, ND?
Rent for a central apartment: $817 in Nosara versus $917 in Dickinson, ND. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Nosara and in Dickinson, ND?
Supermarket bills run roughly 10% higher in Dickinson, ND. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Nosara or in Dickinson, ND?
Dining out is cheaper in Nosara – a meal for two runs $61 versus $81 in Dickinson, ND. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $3,000 enough for either Nosara or Dickinson, ND?
Either city works on $3,000 a month, though Nosara gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Nosara or in Dickinson, ND?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Nosara or Dickinson, ND?
Safety-wise, Nosara and Dickinson, ND are both considered safe, so it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.

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