Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Plasencia

For one person, living is cheaper in Plasencia: $1,519 a month against $1,835 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $3,800 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Plasencia
🇪🇸 Spain
$1,519
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Plasencia

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

A single person spends $1,835 per month in Nosara vs $1,519 in Plasencia, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Plasencia $1,519

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Nosara vs $2,284 in Plasencia, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Plasencia $2,284

A family of three spends $3,814 per month in Nosara vs $3,048 in Plasencia, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Plasencia $3,048

Nosara costs about 21% more than Plasencia, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Nosara and Plasencia sit above the global median – Nosara by 35%, Plasencia by 12%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$13.27 €11.80
-7.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$67.3 €59.8
-8.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$8.85 €7.87
-12.32%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$1.86 €1.65
138.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$2.03 €1.80
-11.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$1.55 €1.38
-16.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$3.04 €2.70
6.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$3.28 €2.92
35.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$1.16 €1.03
33.62%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$1.66 €1.48
85.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$1.52 €1.35
66.45%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$3.39 €3.01
1.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$13.51 €12.02
-45.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$8.24 €7.33
24.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$16.04 €14.27
-12.09%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$2.41 €2.14
-4.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$2.00 €1.78
-18.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$1.78 €1.58
169.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$2.61 €2.32
-37.16%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$1.80 €1.60
113.89%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$2.10 €1.87
78.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$1.50 €1.34
-27.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$0.73 €0.65
254.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$6.60 €5.87
-22.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$5.92 €5.27
236.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$1.14 €1.01
145.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$1.88 €1.67
87.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$1.39 €1.24
-12.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
$31.14 €27.70
137.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$1.72 €1.53
26.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$1.11 €0.99
40.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$14.72 €13.09
-41.10%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$1.77 €1.57
-12.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$32.1K €28.5K
7.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$30.7K €27.3K
26.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$118 €105
-19.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$16.42 €14.60
120.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$32.18 €28.63
64.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$48.86 €43.46
51.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
$15.30 €13.61
132.88%
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$8.02 €7.13
-1.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$542 €482
-9.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$8,047 €7,158
47.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$89.4 €79.6
-38.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$39.74 €35.35
40.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$93.6 €83.2
-14.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$113 €100
-30.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$1,020 €907
-21.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$633 €563
24.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$1,410 €1,254
184.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$934 €830
50.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
$3,177 €2,826
122.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$1,877 €1,670
-34.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Plasencia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
$1,339 €1,191
-33.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
3.34
158.08%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Plasencia: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Plasencia
$633 19.8% $156
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Plasencia
$268 23.5% $82
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Plasencia
$191 10.2% $22
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Plasencia
$167 9.3% $17
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Plasencia
$151 24.8% $30
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Plasencia
$65 27.6% $25
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Plasencia
$44 50.5% $45

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $801 in Nosara versus $1,020 in Plasencia. 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 51% higher in Plasencia, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $61.0 in Nosara versus $67.0 in Plasencia. Groceries tell a different story – $350 in Nosara vs $268 in Plasencia – so Plasencia wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇪🇸 Plasencia
🕒 Local time
18:07 6:07 PM
02:07 2:07 AM
8 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
39,412
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR, USD to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

Euro exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Plasencia 8,410 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Plasencia

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 Plasencia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Plasencia compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,835 in Nosara, $1,519 in Plasencia – roughly 21% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Plasencia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,753 per month in Nosara and $2,278 in Plasencia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Plasencia?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Plasencia, 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 Plasencia?
Public transport costs about 137% less in Plasencia. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nosara and Plasencia?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $542 in Plasencia. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Plasencia, where all-in costs run around $1,519, than in Nosara at $1,835. In Plasencia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Nosara and Plasencia?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,519 in Plasencia to $1,835 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Nosara or Plasencia 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 Plasencia?
If budget matters most, go with Plasencia. 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.

Nosara vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

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