Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between West New York, NJ and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in West New York, NJ: $1,328 a month against $1,839 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $6,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Nosara outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

West New York, NJ
🇺🇸 United States
$1,328
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,839
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,328 per month in West New York, NJ vs $1,839 in Nosara, rent included.

  • West New York, NJ $1,328
  • Nosara $1,839

A couple spends around $2,216 per month in West New York, NJ vs $2,828 in Nosara, rent included.

  • West New York, NJ $2,216
  • Nosara $2,828

A family of three spends $3,105 per month in West New York, NJ vs $3,818 in Nosara, rent included.

  • West New York, NJ $3,105
  • Nosara $3,818

West New York, NJ is about 28% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

West New York, NJ sits 2% below the global median, while Nosara is 36% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.37 $19.37
$12.35 ₡5,539
56.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.7 $80.7
$61.2 ₡27.4K
31.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.85 $12.85
$7.52 ₡3,373
70.88%
Cappuccino
$5.14 $5.14
$4.41 ₡1,978
16.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$1.74 ₡780
41.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.31 ₡587
-14.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.83 $5.83
$3.28 ₡1,471
77.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.11 $7.11
$4.47 ₡2,004
59.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.33 $1.33
$1.56 ₡701
-14.74%
White Bread (500g)
$4.61 $4.61
$3.02 ₡1,355
52.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.14 $6.14
$2.51 ₡1,125
144.62%
Eggs
$5.09 $5.09
$3.57 ₡1,603
42.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.84 $13.84
$7.43 ₡3,333
86.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.32 $10.32
$10.52 ₡4,717
-1.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.61 $19.61
$13.97 ₡6,265
40.37%
Apples (1kg)
$6.08 $6.08
$2.35 ₡1,052
158.72%
Banana (1kg)
$3.60 $3.60
$1.61 ₡720
123.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.22 $4.22
$4.80 ₡2,152
-12.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.20 $5.20
$1.61 ₡724
222.98%
Potato (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$3.80 ₡1,703
-18.16%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$3.69 ₡1,657
-15.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.00 $3.00
$1.13 ₡507
165.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.07 $3.07
$2.66 ₡1,191
15.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.15 $12.15
$5.18 ₡2,321
134.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.23 $15.23
$19.88 ₡8,916
-23.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85 $1.85
$2.90 ₡1,300
-36.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56 $3.56
$3.63 ₡1,626
-1.93%
🚌 Getting Around
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.73 $3.73
$1.12 ₡504
233.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$125 $125
$72.6 ₡32.6K
71.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.05 $3.05
$2.14 ₡958
42.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.57 ₡703
36.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.57 $41.57
$8.52 ₡3,823
387.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.52 ₡682
-43.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$21.6K ₡9.7M
64.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.0K $25.0K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
-27.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$85.6 $85.6
$96.3 ₡43.2K
-11.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.16 $49.16
$35.89 ₡16.1K
36.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.7 $50.7
$53.6 ₡24.0K
-5.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.02 $29.02
$71.6 ₡32.1K
-59.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.91 ₡15.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
$20.62 $20.62
$7.89 ₡3,539
161.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,980 $1,980
$494 ₡221.6K
300.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.9K $15.9K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
33.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.87 $49.87
$53.9 ₡24.2K
-7.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$81.3 $81.3
$55.4 ₡24.8K
46.72%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.4 $86.4
$77.9 ₡34.9K
10.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101 $101
$79.6 ₡35.7K
27.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,629 $2,629
$788 ₡353.4K
233.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$794 ₡356.2K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,939 ₡1.8M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,419 ₡636.5K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$6,912 ₡3.1M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,224 ₡549.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
West New York, NJ
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,369 $5,369
$864 ₡387.3K
521.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.36
8.62
-26.22%

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

Last update for West New York, NJ: 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
West New York, NJ
$462
Nosara
$352 23.8% $110
Eating Out
West New York, NJ
$313
Nosara
$212 32.3% $101
Monthly Utilities & Internet
West New York, NJ
$185
Nosara
$186 0.2% $0.3
Getting Around
West New York, NJ
$153
Nosara
$87 43.2% $66
Clothing & Footwear
West New York, NJ
$143
Nosara
$120 16.3% $23
Sport & Entertainment
West New York, NJ
$70
Nosara
$87 24.4% $17
Accommodation & Living
West New York, NJ
- *
Nosara
$794

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,629 in West New York, NJ 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 522% higher in West New York, NJ, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in West New York, NJ versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $462 vs $352 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 West New York, NJ
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
12:48 12:48 PM
10:48 10:48 AM
2 h behind West New York, NJ
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
49,708
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.889 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
  • West New York, NJ Nosara 3,610 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • West New York, NJ
  • 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
West New York, NJ vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in West New York, NJ and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,328 in West New York, NJ, $1,839 in Nosara – roughly 38% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in West New York, NJ compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,992 per month in West New York, NJ 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 West New York, NJ and Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in West New York, NJ, 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 West New York, NJ and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 72% less in West New York, NJ. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between West New York, NJ and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $1,980 per month in West New York, NJ 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 $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in West New York, NJ, where all-in costs run around $1,328, than in Nosara at $1,839. In West New York, NJ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between West New York, NJ and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,328 in West New York, NJ to $1,839 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is West New York, NJ 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 West New York, NJ and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with West New York, NJ. 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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