Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Memphis, TN

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,837 a month against $2,484 in Memphis, TN, rent and utilities included – about $7,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Memphis, TN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,484
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Memphis, TN

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

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Nosara vs $2,484 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Memphis, TN $2,484

A couple spends around $2,775 per month in Nosara vs $3,630 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Memphis, TN $3,630

A family of three spends $3,712 per month in Nosara vs $4,775 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Memphis, TN $4,775

Nosara is about 26% cheaper than Memphis, TN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Nosara and Memphis, TN sit above the global median – Nosara by 37%, Memphis, TN by 85%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$17.83 $17.83
-31.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$74.9 $74.9
-19.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$12.10 $12.10
-37.69%
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$5.56 $5.56
-22.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$2.39 $2.39
-28.03%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$1.97 $1.97
-31.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
$7.18 $7.18
-54.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
$8.23 $8.23
-45.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$0.90 $0.90
74.44%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$3.14 $3.14
0.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$4.01 $4.01
-39.65%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$3.78 $3.78
-5.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$13.45 $13.45
-44.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$11.36 $11.36
-8.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$19.44 $19.44
-29.73%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$5.73 $5.73
-59.51%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.77 $1.77
-9.04%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$6.00 $6.00
-21.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$4.83 $4.83
-65.63%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$3.22 $3.22
15.53%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$4.18 $4.18
-14.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$2.56 $2.56
-57.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$2.13 $2.13
19.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$10.63 $10.63
-53.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
$12.87 $12.87
55.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
$1.79 $1.79
55.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
$1.64 $1.64
115.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$0.97 $0.97
22.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
$39.19 $39.19
83.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$1.94 $1.94
15.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$1.41 $1.41
9.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$19.61 $19.61
-54.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$0.99 $0.99
58.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$37.4K $37.4K
-41.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$26.8K $26.8K
29.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$186 $186
-49.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$86.8 $86.8
-59.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$76.2 $76.2
-32.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$31.38 $31.38
127.53%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
$16.72 $16.72
111.96%
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$15.15 $15.15
-48.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$1,722 $1,722
-71.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$25.0K $25.0K
-52.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$47.26 $47.26
13.29%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$33.34 $33.34
67.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$82.7 $82.7
-4.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$152 $152
-48.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$1,495 $1,495
-47.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$1,157 $1,157
-32.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$2,080 $2,080
85.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$1,884 $1,884
-25.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$1,781 $1,781
291.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$1,364 $1,364
-11.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Memphis, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
$3,648 $3,648
-75.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.6
30.61%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Memphis, TN: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Memphis, TN
$1.2K 48.4% $377
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Memphis, TN
$406 16.2% $57
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Memphis, TN
$316 50.6% $106
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Memphis, TN
$349 93.9% $169
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Memphis, TN
$142 18% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Memphis, TN
$62 29.2% $25
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Memphis, TN
$52 40% $35

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $786 in Nosara versus $1,495 in Memphis, TN. 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 316% higher in Memphis, TN, 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 $75.0 in Memphis, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $406 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Memphis, TN
🕒 Local time
23:31 11:31 PM
00:31 12:31 AM
1 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
633,104
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).

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 Memphis, TN 2,830 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Memphis, TN compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,837 in Nosara, $2,484 in Memphis, TN – roughly 35% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Memphis, TN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Nosara and $3,726 in Memphis, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Memphis, TN?
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 commuting costs compare in Nosara and in Memphis, TN?
Public transport costs about 84% less in Nosara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nosara and Memphis, TN?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $1,722 in Memphis, TN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,837, than in Memphis, TN at $2,484. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Memphis, TN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Nosara and Memphis, TN?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,837 in Nosara to $2,484 in Memphis, TN. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Nosara or Memphis, TN safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Nosara and Memphis, TN?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Memphis, TN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Nosara vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?