Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Samarkand and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Samarkand: $630 a month against $1,835 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $14,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Samarkand
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
$630
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Samarkand 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 Samarkand and in Nosara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $630 per month in Samarkand vs $1,835 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Samarkand $630
  • Nosara $1,835

A couple spends around $1,000 per month in Samarkand vs $2,825 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Samarkand $1,000
  • Nosara $2,825

A family of three spends $1,371 per month in Samarkand vs $3,814 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Samarkand $1,371
  • Nosara $3,814

Samarkand is about 66% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Samarkand sits 54% below the global median, while Nosara is 35% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.69 UZS 80.6K
$12.34 ₡5,535
-45.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.23 UZS 231.7K
$61.3 ₡27.5K
-68.64%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.92 UZS 59.3K
$7.76 ₡3,481
-36.60%
Cappuccino
$2.42 UZS 29.2K
$4.44 ₡1,992
-45.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 UZS 8,417
$1.79 ₡803
-60.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 UZS 2,498
$1.29 ₡580
-83.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.68 UZS 20.3K
$3.24 ₡1,451
-48.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 UZS 26.2K
$4.43 ₡1,985
-51.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 UZS 12.7K
$1.55 ₡696
-31.61%
White Bread (500g)
$0.32 UZS 3,807
$3.08 ₡1,380
-89.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.60 UZS 19.3K
$2.53 ₡1,133
-36.76%
Eggs
$1.32 UZS 15.9K
$3.45 ₡1,546
-61.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.11 UZS 97.7K
$7.32 ₡3,284
10.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.24 UZS 51.1K
$10.24 ₡4,594
-58.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.61 UZS 127.9K
$14.10 ₡6,326
-24.75%
Apples (1kg)
$0.85 UZS 10.2K
$2.29 ₡1,027
-62.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 UZS 21.1K
$1.64 ₡737
6.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.70 UZS 20.5K
$4.79 ₡2,149
-64.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.68 UZS 20.3K
$1.64 ₡735
2.44%
Potato (1kg)
$0.49 UZS 5,872
$3.85 ₡1,727
-87.27%
Onion (1kg)
$0.18 UZS 2,171
$3.75 ₡1,681
-95.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.24 UZS 2,875
$1.09 ₡488
-77.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 UZS 4,828
$2.59 ₡1,160
-84.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.69 UZS 20.3K
$5.12 ₡2,295
-66.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.38 UZS 40.7K
$19.92 ₡8,931
-83.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 UZS 12.3K
$2.80 ₡1,255
-63.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 UZS 24.4K
$3.52 ₡1,580
-42.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 UZS 2,882
$1.22 ₡549
-80.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.41 UZS 41.1K
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-95.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.33 UZS 3,945
$2.17 ₡973
-84.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.32 UZS 3,857
$1.56 ₡698
-79.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.26 UZS 39.3K
$8.67 ₡3,886
-62.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19 UZS 14.3K
$1.55 ₡697
-23.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K UZS 212.0M
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-49.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6K UZS 248.8M
$38.7K ₡17.4M
-46.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.34 UZS 498.2K
$94.8 ₡42.5K
-56.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.86 UZS 46.5K
$36.15 ₡16.2K
-89.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.49 UZS 162.5K
$53.1 ₡23.8K
-74.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.33 UZS 461.9K
$73.8 ₡33.1K
-48.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.54 UZS 78.8K
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-81.64%
Cinema Ticket
$3.09 UZS 37.2K
$7.91 ₡3,548
-60.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$326 UZS 3.9M
$490 ₡219.9K
-33.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,544 UZS 90.9M
$11.9K ₡5.3M
-36.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.71 UZS 249.6K
$54.8 ₡24.6K
-62.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.13 UZS 507.7K
$55.9 ₡25.1K
-24.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.0 UZS 916.3K
$80.4 ₡36.0K
-5.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1 UZS 700.6K
$77.9 ₡34.9K
-25.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$245 UZS 3.0M
$801 ₡359.1K
-69.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$161 UZS 1.9M
$790 ₡354.1K
-79.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$458 UZS 5.5M
$4,005 ₡1.8M
-88.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$307 UZS 3.7M
$1,409 ₡632.0K
-78.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,253 UZS 15.1M
$7,064 ₡3.2M
-82.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$538 UZS 6.5M
$1,236 ₡554.3K
-56.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samarkand
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$295 UZS 3.6M
$887 ₡397.6K
-66.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
23.31
8.62
170.42%

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

Last update for Samarkand: October 18, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Samarkand
$161
Nosara
$790 389% $628
Groceries & Markets
Samarkand
$156
Nosara
$350 124% $193
Eating Out
Samarkand
$114
Nosara
$213 87% $99
Clothing & Footwear
Samarkand
$89
Nosara
$121 36.5% $32
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarkand
$59
Nosara
$184 214% $125
Sport & Entertainment
Samarkand
$45
Nosara
$90 101% $45
Getting Around
Samarkand
$6.3
Nosara
$89 1309% $82

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $245 in Samarkand versus $801 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 200% 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 $19.00 in Samarkand versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $156 vs $350 – making Samarkand the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇿 Samarkand
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
01:23 1:23 AM
14:23 2:23 PM
11 h behind Samarkand
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
573,200
4,912
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to UZS – Uzbekistani Som Converter

Uzbekistani Som exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 12,051 UZS (100,000 UZS = 8.3 USD). 1 EUR = 13,548 UZS (100,000 UZS = 7.38 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 20, 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
  • Samarkand Nosara 13,820 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Samarkand
  • 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
Samarkand vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Samarkand and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $630 in Samarkand, $1,835 in Nosara – roughly 191% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Samarkand compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $944 per month in Samarkand and $2,753 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Samarkand and Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Samarkand, 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 Samarkand and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 2067% less in Samarkand. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Samarkand and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $326 per month in Samarkand and $490 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 $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Samarkand, where all-in costs run around $630, than in Nosara at $1,835. In Samarkand it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Samarkand and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $630 in Samarkand to $1,835 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Samarkand 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 Samarkand and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Samarkand. 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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