Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Hamilton, MT

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,844 a month against $2,220 in Hamilton, MT, rent and utilities included – about $4,500 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Nosara, Costa Rica
Hamilton, MT, United States
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,844
/mo nomad
Hamilton, MT
🇺🇸 United States
$2,220
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Hamilton, MT

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 Hamilton, MT actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,844 per month in Nosara vs $2,220 in Hamilton, MT, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,844
  • Hamilton, MT $2,220

A couple spends around $2,817 per month in Nosara vs $3,644 in Hamilton, MT, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,817
  • Hamilton, MT $3,644

A family of three spends $3,790 per month in Nosara vs $5,068 in Hamilton, MT, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,790
  • Hamilton, MT $5,068

Nosara is about 17% cheaper than Hamilton, MT, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Hamilton, MT sit above the global median – Nosara by 36%, Hamilton, MT by 64%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.38 ₡5,577
$37.54 $37.54
-67.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.6 ₡27.3K
$69.0 $69.0
-12.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.81 ₡3,518
$11.34 $11.34
-31.13%
Cappuccino
$4.37 ₡1,969
$5.25 $5.25
-16.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78 ₡802
$2.71 $2.71
-34.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡606
$1.98 $1.98
-31.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 ₡1,528
$6.12 $6.12
-44.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.31 ₡1,942
$7.06 $7.06
-38.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡700
$0.99 $0.99
56.57%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,428
$3.49 $3.49
-9.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₡1,132
$4.56 $4.56
-44.96%
Eggs
$3.53 ₡1,587
$4.18 $4.18
-15.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.37 ₡3,318
$12.30 $12.30
-40.08%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.46 ₡4,710
$12.43 $12.43
-15.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.91 ₡6,264
$19.15 $19.15
-27.36%
Apples (1kg)
$2.26 ₡1,020
$5.96 $5.96
-62.08%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 ₡703
$1.29 $1.29
20.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.70 ₡2,116
$3.84 $3.84
22.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.62 ₡730
$4.63 $4.63
-65.01%
Potato (1kg)
$3.88 ₡1,749
$2.77 $2.77
40.07%
Onion (1kg)
$3.79 ₡1,706
$3.39 $3.39
11.80%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ₡482
$2.10 $2.10
-49.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.61 ₡1,176
$2.18 $2.18
19.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.16 ₡2,323
$10.94 $10.94
-52.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.33 ₡9,157
$15.18 $15.18
33.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.91 ₡1,312
$2.13 $2.13
36.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ₡1,653
$3.51 $3.51
4.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.31 ₡589
$2.03 $2.03
-35.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.2 ₡33.0K
$62.3 $62.3
17.57%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.19 ₡985
$3.13 $3.13
-30.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.84 ₡831
$1.83 $1.83
0.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.81 ₡3,519
$32.18 $32.18
-75.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.56 ₡703
$1.03 $1.03
51.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4K ₡15.0M
$29.6K $29.6K
13.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.1K ₡17.1M
$26.2K $26.2K
45.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$95.9 ₡43.2K
$202 $202
-52.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.37 ₡15.9K
$58.9 $58.9
-39.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.7 ₡24.2K
$89.5 $89.5
-39.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.5 ₡30.4K
$40.28 $40.28
67.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.43 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.72 ₡3,478
$13.00 $13.00
-40.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$496 ₡223.2K
$1,307 $1,307
-62.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$22.7K $22.7K
-47.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.6 ₡24.6K
$53.0 $53.0
3.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.0 ₡24.8K
$47.47 $47.47
15.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.8 ₡36.0K
$88.2 $88.2
-9.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡35.1K
$115 $115
-32.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$817 ₡368.0K
$1,172 $1,172
-30.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$800 ₡360.3K
$713 $713
12.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,889 ₡1.8M
$2,379 $2,379
63.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,396 ₡628.5K
$1,802 $1,802
-22.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,977 ₡3.1M
$2,261 $2,261
208.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,222 ₡550.4K
$2,356 $2,356
-48.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Hamilton, MT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$879 ₡395.9K
$3,528 $3,528
-75.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
7.29
18.24%

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

Last update for Nosara: November 3, 2026

Last update for Hamilton, MT: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$800
Hamilton, MT
$713 10.9% $87
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$353
Hamilton, MT
$410 16.3% $57
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Hamilton, MT
$461 116% $248
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$185
Hamilton, MT
$350 89.4% $165
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Hamilton, MT
$137 13.5% $16
Getting Around
Nosara
$90
Hamilton, MT
$83 8% $7.2
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$83
Hamilton, MT
$66 20.1% $17

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $817 in Nosara versus $1,172 in Hamilton, MT. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Hamilton, MT are about 4 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61 in Nosara versus $69 in Hamilton, MT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $353 vs $410 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Hamilton, MT
🕒 Local time
17:53 5:53 PM
16:53 4:53 PM
1 h behind Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
62,447
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 450 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 506 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Hamilton, MT 4,850 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Hamilton, MT

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 Hamilton, MT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Hamilton, MT compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,844 in Nosara, $2,220 in Hamilton, MT – Nosara comes out roughly 17% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Hamilton, MT?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,765 per month in Nosara and $3,330 in Hamilton, MT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Hamilton, MT?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Nosara, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $817 there versus $1,172 in Hamilton, MT.
Which city is more expensive overall: Nosara or Hamilton, MT?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,844 in Nosara and $2,220 in Hamilton, MT. That makes Nosara about 17% cheaper.
How do commuting costs compare in Nosara and in Hamilton, MT?
Public transport costs about 15% less in Hamilton, MT. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How far does $3,000 go in Nosara compared to Hamilton, MT?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,844 in Nosara and $2,220 in Hamilton, MT, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Nosara or Hamilton, MT?
Families tend to lean toward Nosara – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Nosara or Hamilton, MT safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
How do I decide between Nosara and Hamilton, MT?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton, MT makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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