Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Sete Lagoas

For one person, living is cheaper in Sete Lagoas: $672 a month against $1,835 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $14,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Sete Lagoas
🇧🇷 Brazil
$672
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Sete Lagoas

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

A single person spends $1,835 per month in Nosara vs $672 in Sete Lagoas, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Sete Lagoas $672

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Nosara vs $1,072 in Sete Lagoas, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Sete Lagoas $1,072

A family of three spends $3,814 per month in Nosara vs $1,473 in Sete Lagoas, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Sete Lagoas $1,473

Nosara costs about 173% more than Sete Lagoas, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Nosara sits 35% above the global median, while Sete Lagoas is 50% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$5.89 R$29.86
109.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$22.84 R$116
168.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$5.38 R$27.28
44.24%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$0.62 R$3.14
616.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$0.97 R$4.94
84.54%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$0.62 R$3.15
108.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$1.21 R$6.15
167.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$1.86 R$9.41
138.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$0.89 R$4.52
74.16%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$0.69 R$3.49
346.38%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$1.36 R$6.90
86.03%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$1.74 R$8.83
98.28%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$6.13 R$31.10
19.41%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$3.08 R$15.61
232.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$8.23 R$41.72
71.32%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$0.98 R$4.96
133.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$1.16 R$5.88
41.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$0.58 R$2.92
725.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$1.02 R$5.16
60.78%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$0.66 R$3.36
483.33%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$0.61 R$3.11
514.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$0.56 R$2.81
94.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$0.59 R$2.98
338.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$1.58 R$7.99
224.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$5.88 R$29.79
238.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$0.57 R$2.91
391.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$0.98 R$4.97
259.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$1.01 R$5.10
20.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
$44.88 R$228
64.66%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$0.41 R$2.08
429.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$0.29 R$1.46
437.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$7.85 R$39.80
10.45%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$1.03 R$5.24
50.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$13.8K R$70.2K
149.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$24.0K R$121.6K
61.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$49.83 R$253
90.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$10.07 R$51.1
258.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$18.87 R$95.7
181.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$25.87 R$131
185.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
$27.25 R$138
30.75%
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$4.13 R$20.92
91.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$118 R$599
314.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$2,663 R$13.5K
346.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$10.13 R$51.4
440.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$10.13 R$51.3
451.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$40.71 R$206
97.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$40.26 R$204
93.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$351 R$1,778
128.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$241 R$1,221
227.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$687 R$3,483
482.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$481 R$2,439
192.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
$1,734 R$8,792
307.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$1,208 R$6,121
2.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Sete Lagoas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
$435 R$2,206
103.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
10.67
-19.21%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Sete Lagoas: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Sete Lagoas
$241 69.5% $549
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Sete Lagoas
$135 61.4% $215
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Sete Lagoas
$87 59.1% $126
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Sete Lagoas
$79 57.2% $105
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Sete Lagoas
$46 62.4% $75
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Sete Lagoas
$34 61.9% $55
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Sete Lagoas
$51 42.8% $38

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $801 in Nosara versus $351 in Sete Lagoas. 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 104% 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 $61.0 in Nosara versus $23.00 in Sete Lagoas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $135 – making Sete Lagoas the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇧🇷 Sete Lagoas
🕒 Local time
00:48 12:48 AM
03:48 3:48 AM
3 h ahead of Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
227,397
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

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

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Sete Lagoas 5,590 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Sete Lagoas

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 Sete Lagoas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Sete Lagoas compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,835 in Nosara, $672 in Sete Lagoas – roughly 173% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Sete Lagoas?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,753 per month in Nosara and $1,008 in Sete Lagoas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Sete Lagoas?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sete Lagoas, 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 Sete Lagoas?
Public transport costs about 65% less in Sete Lagoas. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Nosara and Sete Lagoas?
Kindergarten costs $490 per month in Nosara and $118 in Sete Lagoas. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sete Lagoas, where all-in costs run around $672, than in Nosara at $1,835. In Sete Lagoas 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 Sete Lagoas?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $672 in Sete Lagoas to $1,835 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Nosara or Sete Lagoas 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 Sete Lagoas?
If budget matters most, go with Sete Lagoas. 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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