Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Geneva, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $2,350 in Geneva, IL, rent and utilities included – about $6,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Geneva, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,350
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Geneva, IL

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 Geneva, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,835 per month in Nosara vs $2,350 in Geneva, IL, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Geneva, IL $2,350

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Nosara vs $3,481 in Geneva, IL, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Geneva, IL $3,481

A family of three spends $3,814 per month in Nosara vs $4,612 in Geneva, IL, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Geneva, IL $4,612

Nosara is about 22% cheaper than Geneva, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Geneva, IL sit above the global median – Nosara by 35%, Geneva, IL by 73%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$14.21 $14.21
-13.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$68.2 $68.2
-10.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$12.13 $12.13
-36.03%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$5.38 $5.38
-17.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$3.02 $3.02
-40.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$2.29 $2.29
-43.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$6.15 $6.15
-47.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$8.01 $8.01
-44.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$0.78 $0.78
98.72%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$2.74 $2.74
12.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$2.92 $2.92
-13.36%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$3.44 $3.44
0.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$7.63 $7.63
-4.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$11.55 $11.55
-11.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$10.52 $10.52
34.03%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$4.69 $4.69
-51.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$1.65 $1.65
-0.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$3.60 $3.60
33.06%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$4.84 $4.84
-66.12%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$1.78 $1.78
116.29%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$2.96 $2.96
26.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$1.60 $1.60
-31.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$2.43 $2.43
6.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$10.69 $10.69
-52.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$8.08 $8.08
146.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$1.78 $1.78
57.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$4.47 $4.47
-21.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$2.20 $2.20
-44.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$4.10 $4.10
-47.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$2.01 $2.01
-22.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$44.12 $44.12
-80.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$1.09 $1.09
42.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$24.8K $24.8K
39.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$25.9K $25.9K
49.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$176 $176
-46.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$52.6 $52.6
-31.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$67.1 $67.1
-20.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$35.52 $35.52
107.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$11.86 $11.86
-33.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$1,528 $1,528
-67.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$23.9K $23.9K
-50.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$55.6 $55.6
-1.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$50.8 $50.8
10.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$88.3 $88.3
-8.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$122 $122
-36.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$1,820 $1,820
-56.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$1,221 $1,221
-35.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$2,229 $2,229
79.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$2,128 $2,128
-33.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
$3,121 $3,121
126.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$2,190 $2,190
-43.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Geneva, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.43
34.06%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Geneva, IL: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Geneva, IL
$1.2K 54.6% $431
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Geneva, IL
$326 6.8% $24
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Geneva, IL
$283 32.9% $70
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Geneva, IL
$295 60.5% $111
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Geneva, IL
$143 17.9% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Geneva, IL
$59 33.9% $30
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Geneva, IL
$23 * 74.1% $66

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $801 in Nosara versus $1,820 in Geneva, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61.0 in Nosara versus $68.0 in Geneva, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $350 in Nosara vs $326 in Geneva, IL – so Geneva, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Geneva, IL
🕒 Local time
21:51 9:51 PM
22:51 10:51 PM
1 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
12,812
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 22, 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 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Geneva, IL 3,560 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Geneva, IL

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 Geneva, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Geneva, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,835 in Nosara, $2,350 in Geneva, IL – roughly 28% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Geneva, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,753 per month in Nosara and $3,524 in Geneva, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Geneva, IL?
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.
Which city is more expensive overall: Nosara or Geneva, IL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,835 in Nosara and $2,350 in Geneva, IL. That's a gap of about 28%.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nosara and Geneva, IL?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $1,528 in Geneva, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,835, than in Geneva, IL at $2,350. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Geneva, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Nosara and Geneva, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,835 in Nosara to $2,350 in Geneva, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Nosara or Geneva, IL safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Nosara and Geneva, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Geneva, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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