Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Redmond, WA and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,839 a month against $4,251 in Redmond, WA, rent and utilities included – about $28,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Redmond, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$4,251
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,839
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Redmond, WA and in Nosara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,251 per month in Redmond, WA vs $1,839 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Redmond, WA $4,251
  • Nosara $1,839

A couple spends around $5,535 per month in Redmond, WA vs $2,828 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Redmond, WA $5,535
  • Nosara $2,828

A family of three spends $6,819 per month in Redmond, WA vs $3,818 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Redmond, WA $6,819
  • Nosara $3,818

Redmond, WA costs about 131% more than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Redmond, WA and Nosara sit above the global median – Redmond, WA by 215%, Nosara by 36%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.42 $25.42
$12.35 ₡5,539
105.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.7 $79.7
$61.2 ₡27.4K
30.27%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.13 $12.13
$7.52 ₡3,373
61.30%
Cappuccino
$5.59 $5.59
$4.41 ₡1,978
26.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 $3.16
$1.74 ₡780
81.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60 $2.60
$1.31 ₡587
98.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.15 $7.15
$3.28 ₡1,471
117.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.17 $7.17
$4.47 ₡2,004
60.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.56 ₡701
-21.79%
White Bread (500g)
$5.14 $5.14
$3.02 ₡1,355
70.20%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.84 $5.84
$2.51 ₡1,125
132.67%
Eggs
$5.63 $5.63
$3.57 ₡1,603
57.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.43 $16.43
$7.43 ₡3,333
121.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.31 $16.31
$10.52 ₡4,717
55.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.56 $23.56
$13.97 ₡6,265
68.65%
Apples (1kg)
$5.96 $5.96
$2.35 ₡1,052
153.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.87 $1.87
$1.61 ₡720
16.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.16 $4.16
$4.80 ₡2,152
-13.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.62 $4.62
$1.61 ₡724
186.96%
Potato (1kg)
$2.69 $2.69
$3.80 ₡1,703
-29.21%
Onion (1kg)
$2.95 $2.95
$3.69 ₡1,657
-20.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.13 ₡507
61.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.03 $3.03
$2.66 ₡1,191
13.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.32 $12.32
$5.18 ₡2,321
137.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.06 $15.06
$19.88 ₡8,916
-24.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$2.90 ₡1,300
-38.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.83 $4.83
$3.63 ₡1,626
33.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.24 $3.24
$1.12 ₡504
189.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$90.5 $90.5
$72.6 ₡32.6K
24.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.14 ₡958
19.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.57 ₡703
5.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.20 $30.20
$8.52 ₡3,823
254.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.52 ₡682
-5.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K $37.0K
$21.6K ₡9.7M
71.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-26.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$307 $307
$96.3 ₡43.2K
219.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$61.7 $61.7
$35.89 ₡16.1K
71.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$88.7 $88.7
$53.6 ₡24.0K
65.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$82.7 $82.7
$71.6 ₡32.1K
15.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.11 $40.11
$34.91 ₡15.7K
14.90%
Cinema Ticket
$17.13 $17.13
$7.89 ₡3,539
117.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,747 $2,747
$494 ₡221.6K
455.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.6K $31.6K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
166.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.4 $66.4
$53.9 ₡24.2K
23.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.6 $55.6
$55.4 ₡24.8K
0.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.1 $91.1
$77.9 ₡34.9K
16.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126 $126
$79.6 ₡35.7K
58.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,881 $2,881
$788 ₡353.4K
265.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,532 $2,532
$794 ₡356.2K
218.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,077 $4,077
$3,939 ₡1.8M
3.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,131 $3,131
$1,419 ₡636.5K
120.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,255 $7,255
$6,912 ₡3.1M
4.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$7,038 $7,038
$1,224 ₡549.0K
474.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Redmond, WA
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$9,100 $9,100
$864 ₡387.3K
953.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
8.62
-22.97%

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

Last update for Redmond, WA: October 10, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Redmond, WA
$2.5K
Nosara
$794 68.6% $1.7K
Groceries & Markets
Redmond, WA
$498
Nosara
$352 29.3% $146
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redmond, WA
$458
Nosara
$186 59.4% $272
Eating Out
Redmond, WA
$380
Nosara
$212 44.2% $168
Clothing & Footwear
Redmond, WA
$153
Nosara
$120 21.3% $33
Sport & Entertainment
Redmond, WA
$117
Nosara
$87 25.3% $30
Getting Around
Redmond, WA
$114
Nosara
$87 23.7% $27

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,881 in Redmond, WA versus $788 in Nosara. 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 954% higher in Redmond, 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 $80.0 in Redmond, WA versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $498 vs $352 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Redmond, WA
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
22:09 10:09 PM
23:09 11:09 PM
1 h ahead of Redmond, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
73,256
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Redmond, WA Nosara 5,400 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Redmond, WA
  • Nosara

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
Redmond, WA vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Redmond, WA and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,251 in Redmond, WA, $1,839 in Nosara – roughly 131% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Redmond, WA compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,377 per month in Redmond, WA and $2,758 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Redmond, WA and Nosara?
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.
How do commuting costs compare in Redmond, WA and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 25% less in Nosara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Redmond, WA and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $2,747 per month in Redmond, WA and $494 in Nosara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
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 $1,839, than in Redmond, WA at $4,251. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Redmond, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Redmond, WA and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,839 in Nosara to $4,251 in Redmond, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Redmond, WA or Nosara 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 Redmond, WA and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Redmond, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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