Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Quezon City

For one person, living is cheaper in Quezon City: $855 a month against $1,837 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $11,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Quezon City
🇵🇭 Philippines
$855
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Quezon City

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

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Nosara vs $855 in Quezon City, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,837
  • Quezon City $855

A couple spends around $2,775 per month in Nosara vs $1,385 in Quezon City, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,775
  • Quezon City $1,385

A family of three spends $3,712 per month in Nosara vs $1,916 in Quezon City, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,712
  • Quezon City $1,916

Nosara costs about 115% more than Quezon City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Nosara sits 37% above the global median, while Quezon City is 36% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.22 ₡5,509
$4.45 ₱279
174.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2 ₡27.1K
$18.78 ₱1,178
220.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.54 ₡3,399
$2.86 ₱179
163.64%
Cappuccino
$4.31 ₡1,941
$2.77 ₱174
55.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₡773
$0.69 ₱43.17
149.28%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₡608
$0.29 ₱18.35
365.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,459
$1.47 ₱92.5
120.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48 ₡2,018
$2.72 ₱171
64.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡707
$1.71 ₱107
-8.19%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₡1,429
$1.15 ₱72.1
175.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.42 ₡1,091
$0.85 ₱53.0
184.71%
Eggs
$3.57 ₡1,609
$1.76 ₱110
102.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.43 ₡3,349
$6.83 ₱428
8.78%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 ₡4,697
$4.29 ₱269
142.89%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.66 ₡6,156
$7.29 ₱457
87.38%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 ₡1,044
$3.84 ₱241
-39.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 ₡728
$1.42 ₱88.9
13.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.74 ₡2,138
$3.57 ₱224
32.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 ₡747
$1.14 ₱71.3
45.61%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 ₡1,679
$2.40 ₱150
55.00%
Onion (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,611
$3.45 ₱217
3.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₡497
$1.38 ₱86.3
-20.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.55 ₡1,149
$0.97 ₱61.0
162.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.95 ₡2,232
$2.84 ₱178
74.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.01 ₡9,020
$7.62 ₱478
162.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,256
$1.30 ₱81.4
114.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 ₡1,589
$1.76 ₱110
100.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 ₡537
$0.40 ₱24.91
197.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.1 ₡32.5K
$18.79 ₱1,179
283.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.24 ₡1,011
$0.76 ₱47.86
194.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$0.21 ₱13.15
638.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.86 ₡3,993
$2.47 ₱155
258.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 ₡708
$1.19 ₱74.4
31.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K ₡9.8M
$21.0K ₱1.3M
3.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.6K ₡15.6M
$18.9K ₱1.2M
83.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.5 ₡42.1K
$165 ₱10.3K
-43.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.11 ₡15.8K
$14.28 ₱896
145.87%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 ₡23.2K
$24.21 ₱1,518
112.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.4 ₡32.2K
$37.71 ₱2,365
89.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.44 ₡16.0K
$3.41 ₱214
939.30%
Cinema Ticket
$7.84 ₡3,535
$7.22 ₱453
8.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡220.7K
$73.1 ₱4,583
569.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.4M
$2,472 ₱155.1K
380.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ₡24.1K
$35.88 ₱2,250
49.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8 ₡25.1K
$22.30 ₱1,398
150.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.3 ₡35.7K
$79.5 ₱4,989
-0.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 ₡35.6K
$75.4 ₱4,729
4.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$786 ₡354.3K
$314 ₱19.7K
149.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₡351.6K
$190 ₱11.9K
309.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,860 ₡1.7M
$746 ₱46.8K
417.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 ₡634.4K
$520 ₱32.6K
170.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,972 ₡3.1M
$2,326 ₱145.9K
199.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,201 ₡541.3K
$1,421 ₱89.1K
-15.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Quezon City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$876 ₡395.0K
$440 ₱27.6K
98.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
7
23.14%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Last update for Quezon City: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$780
Quezon City
$190 75.6% $589
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Quezon City
$207 40.8% $142
Eating Out
Nosara
$209
Quezon City
$94 55% $115
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$180
Quezon City
$203 12.8% $23
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$120
Quezon City
$96 20.3% $24
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$87
Quezon City
$52 40.1% $35
Getting Around
Nosara
$87
Quezon City
$22 74.5% $65

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $786 in Nosara versus $314 in Quezon City. 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 99% 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 $19.00 in Quezon City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $207 – making Quezon City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇵🇭 Quezon City
🕒 Local time
00:34 12:34 AM
14:34 2:34 PM
14 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
2,936,116
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, 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).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 62.72 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.35 PHP (100 PHP = 1.42 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Quezon City 15,990 km ≈ 20 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Quezon City

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 Quezon City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Quezon City compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,837 in Nosara, $855 in Quezon City – roughly 115% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Quezon City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Nosara and $1,282 in Quezon City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Quezon City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Quezon City, 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 Quezon City?
Public transport costs about 284% less in Quezon City. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nosara and Quezon City?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $73.1 in Quezon City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Quezon City, where all-in costs run around $855, than in Nosara at $1,837. In Quezon City 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 Quezon City?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $855 in Quezon City to $1,837 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Nosara or Quezon City 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 Quezon City?
If budget matters most, go with Quezon City. 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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