Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Jacksonville, FL

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,837 a month against $2,537 in Jacksonville, FL, rent and utilities included – about $8,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Jacksonville, FL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,537
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Jacksonville, FL

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

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Nosara vs $2,537 in Jacksonville, FL, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Jacksonville, FL $2,537

A couple spends around $2,775 per month in Nosara vs $3,918 in Jacksonville, FL, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Jacksonville, FL $3,918

A family of three spends $3,712 per month in Nosara vs $5,300 in Jacksonville, FL, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Jacksonville, FL $5,300

Nosara is about 28% cheaper than Jacksonville, FL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Jacksonville, FL sit above the global median – Nosara by 37%, Jacksonville, FL by 89%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$20.12 $20.12
-39.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$99.0 $99.0
-39.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$11.46 $11.46
-34.21%
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$5.40 $5.40
-20.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$3.12 $3.12
-44.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$2.28 $2.28
-40.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
$5.03 $5.03
-35.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
$6.94 $6.94
-35.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$1.02 $1.02
53.92%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$3.29 $3.29
-3.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$3.76 $3.76
-35.64%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$4.40 $4.40
-18.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$14.25 $14.25
-47.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$9.57 $9.57
8.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$15.79 $15.79
-13.49%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$4.77 $4.77
-51.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.52 $1.52
5.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$3.88 $3.88
22.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$4.69 $4.69
-64.61%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$2.85 $2.85
30.53%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$3.06 $3.06
16.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$2.63 $2.63
-58.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$2.38 $2.38
7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$9.82 $9.82
-49.59%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
$14.55 $14.55
37.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
$2.14 $2.14
30.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
$3.09 $3.09
14.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$1.84 $1.84
-35.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
$62.2 $62.2
15.94%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$1.52 $1.52
47.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$1.17 $1.17
32.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$13.87 $13.87
-36.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$1.00 $1.00
57.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$37.6K $37.6K
-42.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$25.4K $25.4K
36.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$215 $215
-56.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$63.2 $63.2
-44.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$67.9 $67.9
-24.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$41.85 $41.85
70.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
$6.57 $6.57
439.42%
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$15.18 $15.18
-48.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$1,332 $1,332
-63.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$11.8K $11.8K
0.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$63.3 $63.3
-15.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$47.56 $47.56
17.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$111 $111
-28.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$153 $153
-48.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$1,699 $1,699
-53.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$1,161 $1,161
-32.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$2,656 $2,656
45.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$2,121 $2,121
-33.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$2,409 $2,409
189.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$2,163 $2,163
-44.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Jacksonville, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
$4,009 $4,009
-78.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.69
28.85%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Jacksonville, FL: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Jacksonville, FL
$1.2K 48.8% $381
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Jacksonville, FL
$385 10.3% $36
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Jacksonville, FL
$321 53.1% $111
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Jacksonville, FL
$346 92% $166
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Jacksonville, FL
$169 40.2% $48
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Jacksonville, FL
$72 17.1% $15
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Jacksonville, FL
$77 11.5% $10

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $786 in Nosara versus $1,699 in Jacksonville, FL. 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 357% higher in Jacksonville, FL, 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 $99.0 in Jacksonville, FL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $385 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Jacksonville, FL
🕒 Local time
04:13 4:13 AM
06:13 6:13 AM
2 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
949,611
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 = 505 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

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

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Jacksonville, FL 2,300 km ≈ 3 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Jacksonville, FL

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 Jacksonville, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nosara or Jacksonville, FL?
Jacksonville, FL costs about 38% more than Nosara, 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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Nosara and in Jacksonville, FL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Nosara and $3,805 in Jacksonville, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Nosara or Jacksonville, FL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Nosara, 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 Jacksonville, FL?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Nosara and $99.0 in Jacksonville, FL. 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 Jacksonville, FL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,837 in Nosara and $2,537 in Jacksonville, FL. That's a gap of about 38%.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Nosara or in Jacksonville, FL?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,837, than in Jacksonville, FL at $2,537. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jacksonville, FL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Nosara or Jacksonville, FL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Nosara costs $1,837 versus $2,537 in Jacksonville, FL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Nosara compared to Jacksonville, FL?
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 Jacksonville, FL?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jacksonville, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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