Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Highlands Ranch, CO

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,844 a month against $3,464 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent and utilities included – about $19,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

88

Cost of Living Index in Nosara
Learn more

Nosara Living Index
165

Cost of Living Index in Highlands Ranch, CO
Learn more

Highlands Ranch, CO Living Index

Jump to prices

Nosara

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

$1,844

/mo nomad

Highlands Ranch, CO

🇺🇸 United States

$3,464

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Highlands Ranch, CO

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 Highlands Ranch, CO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,844 per month in Nosara vs $3,464 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

Nosara $1,844
Highlands Ranch, CO $3,464

A couple spends around $2,817 per month in Nosara vs $4,105 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

Nosara $2,817
Highlands Ranch, CO $4,105

A family of three spends $3,790 per month in Nosara vs $4,746 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

Nosara $3,790
Highlands Ranch, CO $4,746

Nosara is about 47% cheaper than Highlands Ranch, CO, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Highlands Ranch, CO sit above the global median – Nosara by 36%, Highlands Ranch, CO by 156%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.38 ₡5,568

$15.27 $15.27

-18.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.6 ₡27.2K

$80.9 $80.9

-25.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.81 ₡3,513

$9.80 $9.80

-20.31%

Cappuccino

$4.37 ₡1,966

$6.20 $6.20

-29.52%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 ₡800

$2.55 $2.55

-30.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 ₡605

$2.08 $2.08

-35.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 ₡1,526

$4.88 $4.88

-30.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.31 ₡1,939

$5.82 $5.82

-25.95%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 ₡699

$0.98 $0.98

58.16%

White Bread (500g)

$3.17 ₡1,425

$2.97 $2.97

6.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.51 ₡1,130

$2.74 $2.74

-8.39%

Eggs

$3.53 ₡1,585

$4.33 $4.33

-18.48%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.37 ₡3,313

$10.89 $10.89

-32.32%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.46 ₡4,703

$9.14 $9.14

14.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.91 ₡6,255

$19.48 $19.48

-28.59%

Apples (1kg)

$2.26 ₡1,018

$4.97 $4.97

-54.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 ₡701

$1.58 $1.58

-1.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.70 ₡2,113

$4.88 $4.88

-3.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.62 ₡729

$5.17 $5.17

-68.67%

Potato (1kg)

$3.88 ₡1,746

$3.46 $3.46

12.14%

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 ₡1,704

$4.65 $4.65

-18.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 ₡481

$2.32 $2.32

-53.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 ₡1,174

$1.70 $1.70

53.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.16 ₡2,319

$10.24 $10.24

-49.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$20.33 ₡9,143

$16.25 $16.25

25.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.91 ₡1,310

$2.59 $2.59

12.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ₡1,651

$2.74 $2.74

33.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.31 ₡588

$2.01 $2.01

-34.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.2 ₡32.9K

$52.5 $52.5

39.55%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.19 ₡984

$2.53 $2.53

-13.44%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 ₡829

$1.82 $1.82

1.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.81 ₡3,513

$24.64 $24.64

-68.30%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 ₡702

$1.12 $1.12

39.29%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.4K ₡15.0M

$28.2K $28.2K

18.29%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$38.1K ₡17.1M

$26.3K $26.3K

44.81%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$95.9 ₡43.1K

$211 $211

-54.52%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$35.37 ₡15.9K

$55.8 $55.8

-36.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.7 ₡24.1K

$70.1 $70.1

-23.44%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$67.5 ₡30.3K

$45.53 $45.53

48.17%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.43 ₡15.9K

Cinema Ticket

$7.72 ₡3,473

$12.24 $12.24

-36.93%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$496 ₡222.8K

$1,334 $1,334

-62.84%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K ₡5.3M

$11.5K $11.5K

3.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.6 ₡24.6K

$60.3 $60.3

-9.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.0 ₡24.7K

$69.2 $69.2

-20.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.8 ₡35.9K

$80.2 $80.2

-0.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.9 ₡35.0K

$117 $117

-33.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ₡367.5K

$1,574 $1,574

-48.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$800 ₡359.7K

$2,173 $2,173

-63.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,889 ₡1.7M

$2,791 $2,791

39.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,396 ₡627.6K

$1,882 $1,882

-25.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,977 ₡3.1M

$2,806 $2,806

148.63%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,222 ₡549.6K

$2,287 $2,287

-46.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$879 ₡395.3K

$7,126 $7,126

-87.66%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.62

6.7

28.66%

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

Last update for Nosara: November 3, 2026

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Nosara

$800 43.4%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$2.2K 62.7% 172% $1.4K

Groceries & Markets

Nosara

$353 19.1%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$385 11.1% 9.1% $32

Eating Out

Nosara

$213 11.6%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$281 8.1% 31.7% $68

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Nosara

$185 10%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$337 9.7% 82.1% $152

Clothing & Footwear

Nosara

$120 6.5%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$147 4.3% 22.3% $27

Getting Around

Nosara

$90 4.9%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$72 2.1% 19.7% $18

Sport & Entertainment

Nosara

$83 4.5%

Highlands Ranch, CO

$70 2% 15.6% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $817 in Nosara versus $1,574 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Highlands Ranch, CO are about 8.1 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61 in Nosara versus $81 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $353 vs $385 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇨🇷 Nosara

🇺🇸 Highlands Ranch, CO

🕒 Local time

05:31 5:31 AM

04:31 4:31 AM

1 h behind Nosara

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

4,912

💱 Currency

Costa Rican Colón CRC ₡

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD

1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇨🇷 Costa Rican Colón (₡)

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 = 0.89 EUR).

USD to CRC in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Nosara Highlands Ranch, CO 3,800 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight

From you

Nosara
Highlands Ranch, CO

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 Highlands Ranch, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,844 in Nosara, $3,464 in Highlands Ranch, CO – Nosara comes out roughly 47% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,765 per month in Nosara and $5,196 in Highlands Ranch, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Nosara, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $817 there versus $1,574 in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Groceries cost about 9% more in Highlands Ranch, CO, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61 in Nosara and $81 in Highlands Ranch, CO. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,844, than in Highlands Ranch, CO at $3,464. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Highlands Ranch, CO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Highlands Ranch, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.