Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tetouan and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Tetouan: $662 a month against $1,839 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $14,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Tetouan
🇲🇦 Morocco
$662
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,839
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $662 per month in Tetouan vs $1,839 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Tetouan $662
  • Nosara $1,839

A couple spends around $999 per month in Tetouan vs $2,828 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Tetouan $999
  • Nosara $2,828

A family of three spends $1,336 per month in Tetouan vs $3,818 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Tetouan $1,336
  • Nosara $3,818

Tetouan is about 64% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Tetouan sits 51% below the global median, while Nosara is 36% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.04 MAD 29.61
$12.35 ₡5,539
-75.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.99 MAD 175
$61.2 ₡27.4K
-70.59%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.23 MAD 80.2
$7.52 ₡3,373
9.44%
Cappuccino
$1.86 MAD 18.09
$4.41 ₡1,978
-57.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 MAD 7.27
$1.74 ₡780
-56.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 MAD 3.21
$1.31 ₡587
-74.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 MAD 25.54
$3.28 ₡1,471
-20.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06 MAD 29.82
$4.47 ₡2,004
-31.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.89 MAD 8.70
$1.56 ₡701
-42.95%
White Bread (500g)
$0.19 MAD 1.85
$3.02 ₡1,355
-93.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.96 MAD 19.14
$2.51 ₡1,125
-21.91%
Eggs
$1.60 MAD 15.58
$3.57 ₡1,603
-55.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.90 MAD 57.5
$7.43 ₡3,333
-20.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.93 MAD 67.5
$10.52 ₡4,717
-34.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.23 MAD 119
$13.97 ₡6,265
-12.46%
Apples (1kg)
$1.63 MAD 15.88
$2.35 ₡1,052
-30.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.38 MAD 13.48
$1.61 ₡720
-14.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.88 MAD 8.63
$4.80 ₡2,152
-81.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.86 MAD 8.42
$1.61 ₡724
-46.58%
Potato (1kg)
$0.90 MAD 8.80
$3.80 ₡1,703
-76.32%
Onion (1kg)
$0.73 MAD 7.16
$3.69 ₡1,657
-80.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.53 MAD 5.16
$1.13 ₡507
-53.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 MAD 6.13
$2.66 ₡1,191
-76.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.83 MAD 37.32
$5.18 ₡2,321
-26.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.34 MAD 81.3
$19.88 ₡8,916
-58.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 MAD 20.99
$2.90 ₡1,300
-25.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 MAD 24.72
$3.63 ₡1,626
-30.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.54 MAD 5.23
$1.12 ₡504
-51.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.56 MAD 122
$72.6 ₡32.6K
-82.71%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.75 MAD 7.34
$2.14 ₡958
-64.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.85 MAD 8.29
$1.57 ₡703
-45.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.30 MAD 32.20
$8.52 ₡3,823
-61.27%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.53 MAD 14.95
$1.52 ₡682
0.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9K MAD 330.4K
$21.6K ₡9.7M
56.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8K MAD 300.3K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-10.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$43.42 MAD 423
$96.3 ₡43.2K
-54.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.72 MAD 105
$35.89 ₡16.1K
-70.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.31 MAD 403
$53.6 ₡24.0K
-22.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.00 MAD 146
$71.6 ₡32.1K
-79.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.02 MAD 117
$34.91 ₡15.7K
-65.57%
Cinema Ticket
$3.83 MAD 37.34
$7.89 ₡3,539
-51.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$48.53 MAD 473
$494 ₡221.6K
-90.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,823 MAD 56.8K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
-50.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.06 MAD 176
$53.9 ₡24.2K
-66.52%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.28 MAD 461
$55.4 ₡24.8K
-14.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$55.8 MAD 544
$77.9 ₡34.9K
-28.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.1 MAD 635
$79.6 ₡35.7K
-18.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$202 MAD 1,969
$788 ₡353.4K
-74.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$160 MAD 1,565
$794 ₡356.2K
-79.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$405 MAD 3,952
$3,939 ₡1.8M
-89.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$254 MAD 2,481
$1,419 ₡636.5K
-82.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,092 MAD 10.6K
$6,912 ₡3.1M
-84.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$744 MAD 7,251
$1,224 ₡549.0K
-39.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tetouan
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$405 MAD 3,945
$864 ₡387.3K
-53.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.5
8.62
-36.19%

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

Last update for Tetouan: October 10, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Tetouan
$185
Nosara
$352 90.7% $168
Accommodation & Living
Tetouan
$160
Nosara
$794 395% $634
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tetouan
$95
Nosara
$186 94.6% $90
Eating Out
Tetouan
$95
Nosara
$212 124% $117
Clothing & Footwear
Tetouan
$84
Nosara
$120 43.3% $36
Sport & Entertainment
Tetouan
$23
Nosara
$87 286% $65
Getting Around
Tetouan
$20
Nosara
$87 342% $67

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $202 in Tetouan 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 113% 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 $18.00 in Tetouan versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $185 vs $352 – making Tetouan the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇦 Tetouan
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
22:36 10:36 PM
15:36 3:36 PM
7 h behind Tetouan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
380,787
4,912
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to MAD – Moroccan Dirham Converter

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 9.75 MAD (1 MAD = 0.103 USD). 1 EUR = 10.96 MAD (100 MAD = 9.12 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 17, 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
  • Tetouan Nosara 8,490 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tetouan
  • 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
Tetouan vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Tetouan and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $662 in Tetouan, $1,839 in Nosara – roughly 178% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Tetouan compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $992 per month in Tetouan 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 Tetouan and Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tetouan, 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 Tetouan and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 478% less in Tetouan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Tetouan and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $48.53 per month in Tetouan 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 $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Tetouan, where all-in costs run around $662, than in Nosara at $1,839. In Tetouan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Tetouan and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $662 in Tetouan to $1,839 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Tetouan 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 Tetouan and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Tetouan. 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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