Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Hot Springs, AR

For one person, living is cheaper in Hot Springs, AR: $1,710 a month against $1,839 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $1,500 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Nosara outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

89

Cost of Living Index in Nosara
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Nosara Living Index
83

Cost of Living Index in Hot Springs, AR
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Hot Springs, AR Living Index

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Nosara

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

$1,839

/mo nomad

Hot Springs, AR

🇺🇸 United States

$1,710

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Hot Springs, AR

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 Hot Springs, AR actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,839 per month in Nosara vs $1,710 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

Nosara $1,839
Hot Springs, AR $1,710

A couple spends around $2,828 per month in Nosara vs $2,571 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

Nosara $2,828
Hot Springs, AR $2,571

A family of three spends $3,818 per month in Nosara vs $3,432 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

Nosara $3,818
Hot Springs, AR $3,432

Nosara costs about 8% more than Hot Springs, AR, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Hot Springs, AR sit above the global median – Nosara by 36%, Hot Springs, AR by 27%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.35 ₡5,539

$16.17 $16.17

-23.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$61.2 ₡27.4K

$69.0 $69.0

-11.33%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.52 ₡3,373

$9.35 $9.35

-19.57%

Cappuccino

$4.41 ₡1,978

$5.02 $5.02

-12.15%

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

$1.74 ₡780

$2.77 $2.77

-37.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.31 ₡587

$1.53 $1.53

-14.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.28 ₡1,471

$4.87 $4.87

-32.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.47 ₡2,004

$6.01 $6.01

-25.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.56 ₡701

$0.92 $0.92

69.57%

White Bread (500g)

$3.02 ₡1,355

$2.97 $2.97

1.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.51 ₡1,125

$2.03 $2.03

23.65%

Eggs

$3.57 ₡1,603

$2.31 $2.31

54.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.43 ₡3,333

$10.88 $10.88

-31.71%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.52 ₡4,717

$12.73 $12.73

-17.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.97 ₡6,265

$19.27 $19.27

-27.50%

Apples (1kg)

$2.35 ₡1,052

$3.60 $3.60

-34.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 ₡720

$1.38 $1.38

16.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.80 ₡2,152

$3.74 $3.74

28.34%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.61 ₡724

$3.72 $3.72

-56.72%

Potato (1kg)

$3.80 ₡1,703

$1.79 $1.79

112.29%

Onion (1kg)

$3.69 ₡1,657

$2.73 $2.73

35.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 ₡507

$2.34 $2.34

-51.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 ₡1,191

$1.09 $1.09

144.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.18 ₡2,321

$8.54 $8.54

-39.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.88 ₡8,916

$18.84 $18.84

5.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.90 ₡1,300

$2.56 $2.56

13.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ₡1,626

$4.57 $4.57

-20.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.12 ₡504

$1.22 $1.22

-8.20%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$72.6 ₡32.6K

$28.39 $28.39

155.86%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.14 ₡958

$2.72 $2.72

-21.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 ₡703

$2.20 $2.20

-28.64%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.52 ₡3,823

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.52 ₡682

$0.87 $0.87

74.71%

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

$21.6K ₡9.7M

$16.8K $16.8K

28.89%

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

$34.5K ₡15.5M

$23.1K $23.1K

49.41%

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

$96.3 ₡43.2K

$179 $179

-46.16%

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

$35.89 ₡16.1K

$56.1 $56.1

-36.07%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.6 ₡24.0K

$39.40 $39.40

36.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$71.6 ₡32.1K

$34.69 $34.69

106.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.91 ₡15.7K

$9.92 $9.92

251.92%

Cinema Ticket

$7.89 ₡3,539

$10.13 $10.13

-22.11%

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

$494 ₡221.6K

$593 $593

-16.70%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K ₡5.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.9 ₡24.2K

$40.76 $40.76

32.34%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.4 ₡24.8K

$40.11 $40.11

38.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.9 ₡34.9K

$102 $102

-23.43%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.6 ₡35.7K

$78.7 $78.7

1.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$788 ₡353.4K

$722 $722

9.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$794 ₡356.2K

$582 $582

36.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,939 ₡1.8M

$1,088 $1,088

262.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,419 ₡636.5K

$905 $905

56.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,912 ₡3.1M

$1,950 $1,950

254.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,224 ₡549.0K

$1,942 $1,942

-36.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$864 ₡387.3K

$3,532 $3,532

-75.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.62

6.49

32.82%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 11, 2026

Last update for Hot Springs, AR: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Nosara

$794 43.2%

Hot Springs, AR

$582 34% 26.7% $212

Groceries & Markets

Nosara

$352 19.2%

Hot Springs, AR

$363 21.2% 3% $11

Eating Out

Nosara

$212 11.5%

Hot Springs, AR

$271 15.9% 28% $59

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Nosara

$186 10.1%

Hot Springs, AR

$274 16% 47.7% $89

Clothing & Footwear

Nosara

$120 6.5%

Hot Springs, AR

$118 6.9% 2.1% $2.5

Sport & Entertainment

Nosara

$87 4.8%

Hot Springs, AR

$55 3.2% 37.1% $32

Getting Around

Nosara

$87 4.7%

Hot Springs, AR

$47 2.8% 46% $40

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $788 in Nosara versus $722 in Hot Springs, AR. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 309% higher in Hot Springs, AR, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61.0 in Nosara versus $69.0 in Hot Springs, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $352 vs $363 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇨🇷 Nosara

🇺🇸 Hot Springs, AR

🕒 Local time

03:59 3:59 AM

04:59 4:59 AM

1 h ahead of Nosara

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

4,912

37,930

💱 Currency

Costa Rican Colón CRC ₡

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 CRC = 2.23 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 October 18, 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 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

USD to CRC in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Nosara Hot Springs, AR 2,830 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight

From you

Nosara
Hot Springs, AR

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 Hot Springs, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Nosara costs about 8% more than Hot Springs, AR, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,758 per month in Nosara and $2,565 in Hot Springs, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Hot Springs, AR, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $494 per month in Nosara and $593 in Hot Springs, AR. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Nosara – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Hot Springs, AR, where all-in costs run around $1,710, than in Nosara at $1,839. In Hot Springs, AR it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Hot Springs, AR costs $1,710 versus $1,839 in Nosara. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Hot Springs, AR. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Nosara makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.