Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Yakima, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $2,253 in Yakima, WA, rent and utilities included – about $5,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Yakima, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,253
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nosara and in Yakima, WA

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

A single person spends $1,835 per month in Nosara vs $2,253 in Yakima, WA, rent included.

  • Nosara $1,835
  • Yakima, WA $2,253

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Nosara vs $3,276 in Yakima, WA, rent included.

  • Nosara $2,825
  • Yakima, WA $3,276

A family of three spends $3,814 per month in Nosara vs $4,299 in Yakima, WA, rent included.

  • Nosara $3,814
  • Yakima, WA $4,299

Nosara is about 19% cheaper than Yakima, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Nosara and Yakima, WA sit above the global median – Nosara by 35%, Yakima, WA by 66%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.34 ₡5,535
$15.57 $15.57
-20.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.3 ₡27.5K
$64.1 $64.1
-4.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 ₡3,481
$11.38 $11.38
-31.81%
Cappuccino
$4.44 ₡1,992
$4.54 $4.54
-2.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₡803
$2.15 $2.15
-16.74%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ₡580
$2.63 $2.63
-50.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 ₡1,451
$3.78 $3.78
-14.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 ₡1,985
$4.17 $4.17
6.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡696
$0.99 $0.99
56.57%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 ₡1,380
$3.90 $3.90
-21.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₡1,133
$3.60 $3.60
-29.72%
Eggs
$3.45 ₡1,546
$3.22 $3.22
7.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32 ₡3,284
$11.70 $11.70
-37.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 ₡4,594
$8.88 $8.88
15.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.10 ₡6,326
$14.80 $14.80
-4.73%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₡1,027
$3.48 $3.48
-34.20%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 ₡737
$1.58 $1.58
3.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 ₡2,149
$4.27 $4.27
12.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 ₡735
$3.42 $3.42
-52.05%
Potato (1kg)
$3.85 ₡1,727
$2.28 $2.28
68.86%
Onion (1kg)
$3.75 ₡1,681
$2.16 $2.16
73.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₡488
$2.05 $2.05
-46.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.59 ₡1,160
$1.69 $1.69
53.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 ₡2,295
$12.34 $12.34
-58.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.92 ₡8,931
$14.06 $14.06
41.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80 ₡1,255
$1.75 $1.75
60.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52 ₡1,580
$4.83 $4.83
-27.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 ₡549
$5.08 $5.08
-75.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 ₡973
$2.62 $2.62
-17.18%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ₡698
$0.92 $0.92
69.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.67 ₡3,886
$30.08 $30.08
-71.18%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ₡697
$1.27 $1.27
22.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₡15.5M
$28.3K $28.3K
22.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K ₡17.4M
$27.2K $27.2K
42.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.8 ₡42.5K
$219 $219
-56.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.15 ₡16.2K
$54.1 $54.1
-33.14%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 ₡23.8K
$69.1 $69.1
-23.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$73.8 ₡33.1K
$51.4 $51.4
43.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.91 ₡3,548
$14.10 $14.10
-43.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$490 ₡219.9K
$1,720 $1,720
-71.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ₡5.3M
$7,241 $7,241
64.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 ₡24.6K
$61.7 $61.7
-11.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.9 ₡25.1K
$43.66 $43.66
27.99%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 ₡36.0K
$81.5 $81.5
-1.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 ₡34.9K
$110 $110
-29.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₡359.1K
$1,044 $1,044
-23.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$790 ₡354.1K
$1,063 $1,063
-25.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,005 ₡1.8M
$1,694 $1,694
136.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,409 ₡632.0K
$1,749 $1,749
-19.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,064 ₡3.2M
$2,662 $2,662
165.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,236 ₡554.3K
$2,471 $2,471
-49.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nosara
Yakima, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$887 ₡397.6K
$3,530 $3,530
-74.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
6.44
33.85%

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

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Last update for Yakima, WA: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nosara
$790
Yakima, WA
$1.1K 34.6% $273
Groceries & Markets
Nosara
$350
Yakima, WA
$348 0.6% $2.2
Eating Out
Nosara
$213
Yakima, WA
$260 22.1% $47
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nosara
$184
Yakima, WA
$342 85.8% $158
Clothing & Footwear
Nosara
$121
Yakima, WA
$133 10.3% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Nosara
$90
Yakima, WA
$80 11.2% $10
Getting Around
Nosara
$89
Yakima, WA
$28 * 69% $61

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $801 in Nosara versus $1,044 in Yakima, WA. 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 298% higher in Yakima, WA, 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 $64.0 in Yakima, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $350 in Nosara vs $348 in Yakima, WA – so Yakima, WA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Nosara
🇺🇸 Yakima, WA
🕒 Local time
03:29 3:29 AM
02:29 2:29 AM
1 h behind Nosara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
4,912
96,968
Exchange rates and currency converter

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).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nosara Yakima, WA 5,230 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nosara
  • Yakima, WA

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 Yakima, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Nosara and in Yakima, WA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,835 in Nosara, $2,253 in Yakima, WA – roughly 23% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in Nosara compared to Yakima, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,753 per month in Nosara and $3,379 in Yakima, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Nosara and Yakima, WA?
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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $61.0 in Nosara and $64.0 in Yakima, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Yakima, WA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
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 $1,835, than in Yakima, WA at $2,253. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Yakima, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Nosara and Yakima, WA?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,835 in Nosara to $2,253 in Yakima, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Nosara or Yakima, WA 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 Yakima, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Yakima, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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