Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Williamsburg, VA and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Nosara: $1,835 a month against $2,819 in Williamsburg, VA, rent and utilities included – about $11,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Williamsburg, VA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,819
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,835
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,819 per month in Williamsburg, VA vs $1,835 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Williamsburg, VA $2,819
  • Nosara $1,835

A couple spends around $4,192 per month in Williamsburg, VA vs $2,825 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Williamsburg, VA $4,192
  • Nosara $2,825

A family of three spends $5,566 per month in Williamsburg, VA vs $3,814 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Williamsburg, VA $5,566
  • Nosara $3,814

Williamsburg, VA costs about 54% more than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Williamsburg, VA and Nosara sit above the global median – Williamsburg, VA by 108%, Nosara by 35%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.86 $18.86
$12.34 ₡5,535
52.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.3 $76.3
$61.3 ₡27.5K
24.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.80 $12.80
$7.76 ₡3,481
64.95%
Cappuccino
$5.64 $5.64
$4.44 ₡1,992
27.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 $2.76
$1.79 ₡803
54.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.29 ₡580
64.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.09 $5.09
$3.24 ₡1,451
57.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.43 $7.43
$4.43 ₡1,985
67.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.10 $1.10
$1.55 ₡696
-29.03%
White Bread (500g)
$3.80 $3.80
$3.08 ₡1,380
23.38%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.87 $3.87
$2.53 ₡1,133
52.96%
Eggs
$3.49 $3.49
$3.45 ₡1,546
1.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.12 $13.12
$7.32 ₡3,284
79.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.23 $8.23
$10.24 ₡4,594
-19.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.66 $14.66
$14.10 ₡6,326
3.97%
Apples (1kg)
$5.65 $5.65
$2.29 ₡1,027
146.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.35 $1.35
$1.64 ₡737
-17.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.73 $4.73
$4.79 ₡2,149
-1.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$1.64 ₡735
105.49%
Potato (1kg)
$5.62 $5.62
$3.85 ₡1,727
45.97%
Onion (1kg)
$3.31 $3.31
$3.75 ₡1,681
-11.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.55 $1.55
$1.09 ₡488
42.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 $1.79
$2.59 ₡1,160
-30.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.56 $6.56
$5.12 ₡2,295
28.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.59 $10.59
$19.92 ₡8,931
-46.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.80 ₡1,255
-20.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.70 $3.70
$3.52 ₡1,580
5.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.53 $1.53
$1.22 ₡549
25.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.81 $44.81
$73.9 ₡33.1K
-39.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.05 $3.05
$2.17 ₡973
40.55%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.56 ₡698
-8.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.73 $22.73
$8.67 ₡3,886
162.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.55 ₡697
-45.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.7K $35.7K
$34.5K ₡15.5M
3.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$38.7K ₡17.4M
-34.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$186 $186
$94.8 ₡42.5K
96.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.66 $47.66
$36.15 ₡16.2K
31.84%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.7 $59.7
$53.1 ₡23.8K
12.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$93.5 $93.5
$73.8 ₡33.1K
26.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.79 $24.79
$35.63 ₡16.0K
-30.42%
Cinema Ticket
$14.74 $14.74
$7.91 ₡3,548
86.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,887 $1,887
$490 ₡219.9K
284.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.2K $24.2K
$11.9K ₡5.3M
103.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.56 $37.56
$54.8 ₡24.6K
-31.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.37 $35.37
$55.9 ₡25.1K
-36.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.7 $85.7
$80.4 ₡36.0K
6.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$155 $155
$77.9 ₡34.9K
99.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,290 $2,290
$801 ₡359.1K
186.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,517 $1,517
$790 ₡354.1K
92.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,670 $2,670
$4,005 ₡1.8M
-33.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,651 $2,651
$1,409 ₡632.0K
88.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,168 $2,168
$7,064 ₡3.2M
-69.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,727 $1,727
$1,236 ₡554.3K
39.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Williamsburg, VA
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,462 $4,462
$887 ₡397.6K
403.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.5
8.62
-24.59%

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

Last update for Williamsburg, VA: October 20, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Williamsburg, VA
$1.5K
Nosara
$790 47.9% $727
Groceries & Markets
Williamsburg, VA
$366
Nosara
$350 4.5% $16
Eating Out
Williamsburg, VA
$317
Nosara
$213 32.9% $104
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Williamsburg, VA
$294
Nosara
$184 37.3% $110
Clothing & Footwear
Williamsburg, VA
$141
Nosara
$121 14.3% $20
Sport & Entertainment
Williamsburg, VA
$123
Nosara
$90 27.1% $33
Getting Around
Williamsburg, VA
$61
Nosara
$89 45.3% $28

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,290 in Williamsburg, VA 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 403% higher in Williamsburg, VA, 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 $76.0 in Williamsburg, VA versus $61.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $366 vs $350 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Williamsburg, VA
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
21:35 9:35 PM
19:35 7:35 PM
2 h behind Williamsburg, VA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
15,425
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

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

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Williamsburg, VA Nosara 3,160 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Williamsburg, VA
  • 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
Williamsburg, VA vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Williamsburg, VA and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,819 in Williamsburg, VA, $1,835 in Nosara – roughly 54% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Williamsburg, VA compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,228 per month in Williamsburg, VA 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 Williamsburg, VA 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 Williamsburg, VA and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 65% less in Nosara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Williamsburg, VA and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $1,887 per month in Williamsburg, VA 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 $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,835, than in Williamsburg, VA at $2,819. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Williamsburg, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Williamsburg, VA and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,835 in Nosara to $2,819 in Williamsburg, VA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Williamsburg, VA 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 Williamsburg, VA and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Williamsburg, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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