Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Jakarta

For one person, living is cheaper in Jakarta: $793 a month against $1,837 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $12,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Jakarta
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$793
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Jakarta

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

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Nosara vs $793 in Jakarta, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Jakarta $793

A couple spends around $2,775 per month in Nosara vs $1,283 in Jakarta, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Jakarta $1,283

A family of three spends $3,712 per month in Nosara vs $1,772 in Jakarta, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Jakarta $1,772

Nosara costs about 132% more than Jakarta, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Nosara sits 37% above the global median, while Jakarta is 41% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$2.63 Rp 47.1K
364.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$16.93 Rp 302.9K
255.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$3.33 Rp 59.5K
126.43%
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$2.00 Rp 35.8K
115.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$0.43 Rp 7,775
300.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$0.25 Rp 4,472
440.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
$2.57 Rp 45.9K
26.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
$3.85 Rp 68.9K
16.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$1.42 Rp 25.5K
10.56%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$1.09 Rp 19.4K
190.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$0.91 Rp 16.2K
165.93%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$1.77 Rp 31.7K
101.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$9.22 Rp 164.9K
-19.41%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$3.11 Rp 55.6K
235.05%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$7.78 Rp 139.1K
75.58%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$2.87 Rp 51.4K
-19.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.32 Rp 23.5K
21.97%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$2.50 Rp 44.6K
89.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$1.39 Rp 24.9K
19.42%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
169.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$2.10 Rp 37.6K
70.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$0.94 Rp 16.8K
17.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$0.51 Rp 9,105
400.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$2.80 Rp 50.1K
76.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
$20.83 Rp 372.7K
-3.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
$2.05 Rp 36.7K
36.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
$3.04 Rp 54.4K
16.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$0.27 Rp 4,809
340.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
$11.86 Rp 212.1K
507.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$0.50 Rp 8,982
348.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$0.33 Rp 5,888
369.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$3.42 Rp 61.2K
159.06%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$0.87 Rp 15.6K
80.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$27.8K Rp 496.8M
-21.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$32.6K Rp 583.5M
6.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$106 Rp 1.9M
-11.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$6.04 Rp 108.0K
481.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$19.04 Rp 340.7K
170.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$25.65 Rp 458.8K
178.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
$13.65 Rp 244.3K
159.63%
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$3.29 Rp 58.8K
138.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$153 Rp 2.7M
219.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$8,270 Rp 147.9M
43.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$58.7 Rp 1.0M
-8.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$28.37 Rp 507.5K
96.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$70.9 Rp 1.3M
11.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$106 Rp 1.9M
-25.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$370 Rp 6.6M
112.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$200 Rp 3.6M
289.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$1,155 Rp 20.7M
234.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$556 Rp 10.0M
152.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$3,023 Rp 54.1M
130.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$1,445 Rp 25.9M
-16.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Jakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
$449 Rp 8.0M
94.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
9.46
-8.88%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Jakarta: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Jakarta
$200 74.3% $580
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Jakarta
$218 37.7% $132
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Jakarta
$78 62.6% $131
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Jakarta
$131 27.3% $49
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Jakarta
$119 1.4% $1.7
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Jakarta
$32 63% $55
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Jakarta
$15 82.6% $72

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $786 in Nosara versus $370 in Jakarta. 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 95% 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 $17.00 in Jakarta. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $218 – making Jakarta the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇮🇩 Jakarta
🕒 Local time
00:22 12:22 AM
13:22 1:22 PM
13 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
11,337,563 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, 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).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 17,890 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.59 USD). 1 EUR = 20,065 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Jakarta 18,580 km ≈ 24 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Jakarta

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 Jakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nosara or Jakarta?
Nosara costs about 132% more than Jakarta, 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 Jakarta?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Nosara and $1,190 in Jakarta. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Nosara or Jakarta?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jakarta, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Nosara and in Jakarta?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $153 in Jakarta. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Nosara or in Jakarta?
Groceries cost about 61% more in Nosara, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Nosara or in Jakarta?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Jakarta, where all-in costs run around $793, than in Nosara at $1,837. In Jakarta 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 Jakarta?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jakarta costs $793 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 Jakarta?
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 Jakarta?
If budget matters most, go with Jakarta. 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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