Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Kefar Sava

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $3,167 in Kefar Sava, rent and utilities included – about $16,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Kefar Sava
🇮🇱 Israel
$3,167
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Kefar Sava

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,835 in Nosara versus $3,167 in Kefar Sava.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Kefar Sava $3,167

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,825 in Nosara versus $4,481 in Kefar Sava.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Kefar Sava $4,481

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,814 in Nosara versus $5,795 in Kefar Sava.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Kefar Sava $5,795

Living in Nosara costs roughly 42% less than in Kefar Sava, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Nosara 35% above, Kefar Sava 134% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$26.23 ₪81.6
-52.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$126 ₪393
-51.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$19.81 ₪61.6
-60.83%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$5.34 ₪16.62
-16.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$3.78 ₪11.76
-52.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$3.01 ₪9.36
-57.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$9.03 ₪28.08
-64.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$8.16 ₪25.39
-45.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$2.48 ₪7.73
-37.50%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$3.30 ₪10.28
-6.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$3.69 ₪11.49
-31.44%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$4.54 ₪14.12
-24.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$20.97 ₪65.3
-65.09%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$14.71 ₪45.75
-30.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$25.14 ₪78.2
-43.91%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$4.53 ₪14.09
-49.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$3.88 ₪12.07
-57.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$2.49 ₪7.76
92.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$3.46 ₪10.77
-52.60%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$1.83 ₪5.69
110.38%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$1.84 ₪5.72
103.80%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$2.68 ₪8.34
-59.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$2.28 ₪7.09
13.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$14.69 ₪45.71
-65.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$12.76 ₪39.69
56.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$3.74 ₪11.63
-25.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$3.92 ₪12.19
-10.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$2.40 ₪7.47
-49.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
$98.7 ₪307
-25.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$4.15 ₪12.92
-47.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$1.08 ₪3.36
44.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$19.23 ₪59.8
-54.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$2.52 ₪7.85
-38.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$53.9K ₪167.7K
-35.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$54.6K ₪169.8K
-29.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$447 ₪1,390
-78.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$11.24 ₪34.98
221.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$34.88 ₪109
52.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$86.7 ₪270
-14.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$15.53 ₪48.31
-49.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$1,648 ₪5,126
-70.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$30.6K ₪95.1K
-61.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$125 ₪390
-56.34%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$85.8 ₪267
-34.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$173 ₪539
-53.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$199 ₪620
-60.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$1,399 ₪4,353
-42.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$1,279 ₪3,979
-38.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$1,975 ₪6,145
102.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$1,656 ₪5,154
-14.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
$8,907 ₪27.7K
-20.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$8,267 ₪25.7K
-85.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Kefar Sava
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
5.03
71.37%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Kefar Sava: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Kefar Sava
$1.3K 62% $489
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Kefar Sava
$475 35.9% $125
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Kefar Sava
$422 98.4% $209
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Kefar Sava
$493 168% $309
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Kefar Sava
$263 117% $142
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Kefar Sava
$118 31.4% $28
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Kefar Sava
$118 32.9% $29

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $801 in Nosara and $1,399 in Kefar Sava. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $61.0 in Nosara vs $126 in Kefar Sava for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $350 vs $475 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇮🇱 Kefar Sava
🕒 Local time
10:15 10:15 AM
19:15 7:15 PM
9 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
110,456
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ILS, USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

Israeli New Shekel exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 3.11 ILS (1 ILS = 0.321 USD). 1 EUR = 3.5 ILS (1 ILS = 0.286 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Kefar Sava 12,160 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Kefar Sava

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 Kefar Sava: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Nosara and in Kefar Sava?
Nosara and Kefar Sava differ by about 73% in total monthly costs ($1,835 vs $3,167 including rent). Nosara is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Kefar Sava?
You'd need roughly $2,753 in Nosara and $4,751 in Kefar Sava to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Nosara and in Kefar Sava?
Rent for a central apartment: $801 in Nosara versus $1,399 in Kefar Sava. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Nosara or Kefar Sava?
All in, you'll spend $1,835 per month in Nosara versus $3,167 in Kefar Sava – a 73% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Nosara and in Kefar Sava?
A monthly transit pass in Nosara runs roughly 34% less than in Kefar Sava. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,835 in Nosara versus $3,167 in Kefar Sava, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Nosara but tight or insufficient in Kefar Sava. The gap between the two cities makes Nosara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Nosara and Kefar Sava?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Nosara or Kefar Sava safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Nosara and Kefar Sava are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Nosara or Kefar Sava?
Expats usually find Nosara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 73% less than in Kefar Sava. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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