Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Greenwood, SC

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,837 a month against $2,592 in Greenwood, SC, rent and utilities included – about $9,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Greenwood, SC
🇺🇸 United States
$2,592
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Greenwood, SC

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 Greenwood, SC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,837 in Nosara versus $2,592 in Greenwood, SC.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Greenwood, SC $2,592

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,775 in Nosara versus $3,823 in Greenwood, SC.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Greenwood, SC $3,823

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,712 in Nosara versus $5,053 in Greenwood, SC.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Greenwood, SC $5,053

Living in Nosara costs roughly 29% less than in Greenwood, SC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Nosara 37% above, Greenwood, SC 93% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$17.78 $17.78
-31.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$73.7 $73.7
-18.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$11.09 $11.09
-32.01%
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$5.85 $5.85
-26.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$2.65 $2.65
-35.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$2.22 $2.22
-39.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
$5.98 $5.98
-45.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
$7.42 $7.42
-39.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$0.68 $0.68
130.88%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$4.00 $4.00
-20.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$3.35 $3.35
-27.76%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$3.44 $3.44
3.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$16.51 $16.51
-55.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$16.07 $16.07
-35.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$18.39 $18.39
-25.72%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$5.22 $5.22
-55.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.48 $1.48
8.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$4.68 $4.68
1.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$4.71 $4.71
-64.76%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$3.66 $3.66
1.64%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$3.18 $3.18
12.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$2.06 $2.06
-46.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$2.33 $2.33
9.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$10.09 $10.09
-50.94%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
$15.23 $15.23
31.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
$2.43 $2.43
14.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
$3.69 $3.69
-4.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$1.81 $1.81
-34.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$2.91 $2.91
-23.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$1.81 $1.81
-14.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$30.15 $30.15
-70.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$0.78 $0.78
101.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$35.4K $35.4K
-38.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$24.7K $24.7K
40.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$173 $173
-45.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$67.9 $67.9
-48.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$76.0 $76.0
-32.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$41.54 $41.54
71.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$15.92 $15.92
-50.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$671 $671
-27.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$25.2K $25.2K
-52.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$51.0 $51.0
4.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$37.76 $37.76
47.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$93.9 $93.9
-15.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$140 $140
-43.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$1,572 $1,572
-50.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$1,274 $1,274
-38.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$2,518 $2,518
53.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$2,137 $2,137
-34.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$1,534 $1,534
354.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$1,605 $1,605
-25.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Greenwood, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
$5,393 $5,393
-83.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.48
33.02%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Greenwood, SC: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Greenwood, SC
$1.3K 63.4% $494
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Greenwood, SC
$440 25.8% $90
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Greenwood, SC
$310 48% $100
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Greenwood, SC
$317 76% $137
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Greenwood, SC
$145 20.8% $25
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Greenwood, SC
$73 15.7% $14
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Greenwood, SC
$19 * 77.9% $68

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

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $786 in Nosara and $1,572 in Greenwood, SC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Greenwood, SC pays 515% 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: $60.0 in Nosara vs $74.0 in Greenwood, SC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $350 vs $440 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Greenwood, SC
🕒 Local time
21:13 9:13 PM
23:13 11:13 PM
2 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
15,205
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Greenwood, SC 2,720 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Greenwood, SC

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 Greenwood, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nosara or Greenwood, SC?
Nosara wins on cost – living expenses run 41% lower than in Greenwood, SC. 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 Greenwood, SC?
On paper, salaries run 515% lower in Greenwood, SC. 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 Greenwood, SC?
Rent for a central apartment: $786 in Nosara versus $1,572 in Greenwood, SC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Nosara or in Greenwood, SC?
Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Greenwood, SC. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Nosara compared to Greenwood, SC?
All in, you'll spend $1,837 per month in Nosara versus $2,592 in Greenwood, SC – a 41% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Nosara or in Greenwood, SC?
At $1,837 in Nosara versus $2,592 in Greenwood, SC, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Nosara but tight or insufficient in Greenwood, SC. 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 Greenwood, SC?
Both work as nomad bases, but Nosara delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,837 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 Greenwood, SC?
Safety-wise, Nosara and Greenwood, SC 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 41% less than in Greenwood, SC. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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