Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Isfahan

For one person, living is cheaper in Isfahan: $475 a month against $1,837 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $16,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Isfahan
🇮🇷 Iran
$475
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Isfahan

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

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Nosara vs $475 in Isfahan, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Isfahan $475

A couple spends around $2,775 per month in Nosara vs $801 in Isfahan, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Isfahan $801

A family of three spends $3,712 per month in Nosara vs $1,127 in Isfahan, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Isfahan $1,127

Nosara costs about 286% more than Isfahan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Nosara sits 37% above the global median, while Isfahan is 65% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$2.96 $2.96
312.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$12.39 $12.39
385.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$2.99 $2.99
152.17%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.78 $0.78
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.98 $1.98
-
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$0.98 $0.98
339.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$0.48 $0.48
258.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$0.49 $0.49
175.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$0.48 $0.48
227.08%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$0.43 $0.43
637.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$1.89 $1.89
28.04%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$1.45 $1.45
146.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$2.86 $2.86
159.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$2.38 $2.38
337.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$10.55 $10.55
29.48%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$0.71 $0.71
226.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.30 $1.30
23.85%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$1.02 $1.02
364.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$0.60 $0.60
176.67%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$0.55 $0.55
576.36%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$0.49 $0.49
628.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$0.55 $0.55
100.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$0.21 $0.21
1114.29%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.48 $0.48
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.50 $0.50
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.83 $0.83
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$2.08 $2.08
137.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$0.31 $0.31
283.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
$12.62 $12.62
471.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$0.51 $0.51
339.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$0.29 $0.29
434.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$1.95 $1.95
354.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$0.93 $0.93
68.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$67.3K $67.3K
-67.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$59.0K $59.0K
-41.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$10.18 $10.18
817.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$2.00 $2.00
1655.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$7.35 $7.35
600.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$13.71 $13.71
420.79%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
$13.36 $13.36
165.27%
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$1.02 $1.02
668.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$71.9 $71.9
580.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$528 $528
2150.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$18.34 $18.34
191.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$24.42 $24.42
128.38%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$85.4 $85.4
-7.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$36.85 $36.85
114.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$290 $290
170.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$194 $194
302.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$1,345 $1,345
187.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$456 $456
208.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$1,175 $1,175
493.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$749 $749
60.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Isfahan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
$205 $205
328.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
26.8
-67.84%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Isfahan: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Isfahan
$194 75.1% $586
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Isfahan
$100 71.3% $249
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Isfahan
$48 76.9% $161
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Isfahan
$20 89.2% $161
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Isfahan
$74 38.3% $46
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Isfahan
$16 81.9% $71
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Isfahan
$16 81.8% $71

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $786 in Nosara versus $290 in Isfahan. 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 328% higher in Nosara, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Nosara versus $12.00 in Isfahan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $100 – making Isfahan the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇮🇷 Isfahan
🕒 Local time
00:29 12:29 AM
09:59 9:59 AM
9 h 30 min ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
1,961,260
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 506 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

USD exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Isfahan 13,460 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Isfahan

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 Isfahan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nosara or Isfahan?
Nosara costs about 286% more than Isfahan, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Nosara and in Isfahan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Nosara and $713 in Isfahan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Nosara or Isfahan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Isfahan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Nosara and in Isfahan?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Nosara and $12.00 in Isfahan. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Nosara compared to Isfahan?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,837 in Nosara and $475 in Isfahan. That's a gap of about 286%.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Nosara or in Isfahan?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Isfahan, where all-in costs run around $475, than in Nosara at $1,837. In Isfahan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Nosara or Isfahan?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Isfahan costs $475 versus $1,837 in Nosara. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Nosara compared to Isfahan?
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.
Should I move to Nosara or to Isfahan?
If budget matters most, go with Isfahan. 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.

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