Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Montross, VA

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,837 a month against $2,772 in Montross, VA, rent and utilities included – about $11,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Montross, VA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,772
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Montross, VA

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,837 in Nosara versus $2,772 in Montross, VA.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Montross, VA $2,772

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,775 in Nosara versus $4,105 in Montross, VA.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Montross, VA $4,105

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,712 in Nosara versus $5,438 in Montross, VA.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Montross, VA $5,438

Living in Nosara costs roughly 34% less than in Montross, VA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Nosara 37% above, Montross, VA 107% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$23.94 $23.94
-48.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$98.4 $98.4
-38.82%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$11.06 $11.06
-31.83%
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$5.71 $5.71
-24.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$3.00 $3.00
-42.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$2.43 $2.43
-44.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
$7.84 $7.84
-58.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
$8.89 $8.89
-49.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$1.21 $1.21
29.75%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$4.50 $4.50
-29.56%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$5.41 $5.41
-55.27%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$5.09 $5.09
-29.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$21.35 $21.35
-65.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$15.85 $15.85
-34.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$22.46 $22.46
-39.18%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$5.76 $5.76
-59.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.90 $1.90
-15.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$4.67 $4.67
1.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$5.74 $5.74
-71.08%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$3.14 $3.14
18.47%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$3.80 $3.80
-6.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$2.30 $2.30
-52.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$2.56 $2.56
-0.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$10.67 $10.67
-53.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
$17.31 $17.31
15.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
$2.78 $2.78
0.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
$2.84 $2.84
24.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$2.28 $2.28
-47.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$3.89 $3.89
-42.42%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$1.23 $1.23
26.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$25.32 $25.32
-65.01%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$1.06 $1.06
48.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$34.5K $34.5K
-36.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$24.9K $24.9K
39.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$164 $164
-42.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$50.7 $50.7
-30.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$61.4 $61.4
-16.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$39.97 $39.97
78.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$16.41 $16.41
-52.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$1,618 $1,618
-69.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$36.6K $36.6K
-67.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$54.7 $54.7
-2.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$63.5 $63.5
-12.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$100 $100
-20.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$161 $161
-50.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$1,722 $1,722
-54.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$1,265 $1,265
-38.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$2,690 $2,690
43.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$2,203 $2,203
-36.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$2,765 $2,765
152.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$2,076 $2,076
-42.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Montross, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.79
26.95%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Montross, VA: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Montross, VA
$1.3K 62.2% $485
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Montross, VA
$509 45.5% $159
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Montross, VA
$372 77.6% $162
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Montross, VA
$276 53.1% $96
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Montross, VA
$171 41.7% $50
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Montross, VA
$73 16.4% $14
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Montross, VA
$19 * 78% $68

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $786 in Nosara and $1,722 in Montross, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $60.0 in Nosara vs $98.0 in Montross, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $350 vs $509 per month, with Nosara cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Montross, VA
🕒 Local time
08:40 8:40 AM
10:40 10:40 AM
2 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
400
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 11, 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 11, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Montross, VA 3,250 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Montross, VA

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 Montross, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montross, VA cheaper than Nosara?
Nosara is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 51% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,756 in Nosara and $4,157 in Montross, VA 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.
What is the rent difference between Nosara and Montross, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $786 in Nosara versus $1,722 in Montross, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $490 in Nosara versus $1,618 in Montross, VA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Nosara or in Montross, VA?
Dining out is cheaper in Nosara – a meal for two runs $60.0 versus $98.0 in Montross, VA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for living in Nosara or in Montross, VA?
At $1,837 in Nosara versus $2,772 in Montross, VA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Nosara but tight or insufficient in Montross, VA. The gap between the two cities makes Nosara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Nosara or Montross, VA more family-friendly?
For families, Nosara is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Montross, VA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Nosara or Montross, VA?
Safety-wise, Nosara and Montross, VA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Nosara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Montross, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Nosara vs other spots: cost of living compared

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