Cost of Living Comparison Between Boquete and La Chorrera Cost of Living Comparison Between Boquete and La Chorrera

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,393 in Boquete versus $171 in La Chorrera.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,063 in Boquete versus $298 in La Chorrera.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,733 in Boquete versus $425 in La Chorrera.

Living in Boquete is roughly 713% more expensive than La Chorrera, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Boquete is 4% above, La Chorrera is 87% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.44 PAB 5.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.54 PAB 29.54

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.70 PAB 7.70

Cappuccino

$3.41 PAB 3.41

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 PAB 1.35

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.86 PAB 0.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 PAB 1.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 PAB 1.95

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 PAB 1.55

$1.76 PAB 1.76

-11.93%

White Bread (500g)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.41 PAB 1.41

$3.19 PAB 3.19

-55.80%

Eggs

$2.54 PAB 2.54

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.80 PAB 8.80

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.71 PAB 7.71

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.98 PAB 10.98

Apples (1kg)

$4.50 PAB 4.50

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 PAB 0.99

Oranges (1kg)

$3.29 PAB 3.29

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 PAB 1.58

Potato (1kg)

$2.27 PAB 2.27

Onion (1kg)

$1.70 PAB 1.70

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 PAB 2.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.65 PAB 1.65

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.39 PAB 5.39

Wine (Bottle)

$8.10 PAB 8.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 PAB 1.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.75 PAB 2.75

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.41 PAB 25.41

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.02 PAB 1.02

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 PAB 1.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.20 PAB 30.20

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 PAB 0.95

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.2K PAB 25.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.6K PAB 20.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$53.2 PAB 53.2

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$28.67 PAB 28.67

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.86 PAB 46.86

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$87.1 PAB 87.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.20 PAB 17.20

Cinema Ticket

$6.38 PAB 6.38

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$250 PAB 250

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.18 PAB 35.18

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.86 PAB 24.86

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$52.0 PAB 52.0

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.3 PAB 60.3

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$749 PAB 749

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$649 PAB 649

$140 PAB 140

364.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 PAB 1,572

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,147 PAB 1,147

$348 PAB 348

229.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,202 PAB 1,202

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,165 PAB 1,165

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$676 PAB 676

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Boquete: April 26, 2026

Last update for La Chorrera: April 27, 2026

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

Boquete vs La Chorrera: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

La Chorrera is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 713% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $2,089 in Boquete and $257 in La Chorrera to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 786% higher in Boquete. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $1,393 per month in Boquete versus $171 in La Chorrera – a 713% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $171 in La Chorrera versus $1,393 in Boquete, a $1,000 budget is realistic in La Chorrera but tight or insufficient in Boquete. The gap between the two cities makes La Chorrera the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

For families, La Chorrera is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Boquete, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Safety-wise, Boquete and La Chorrera are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find La Chorrera gentler on the wallet – expenses run 713% less than in Boquete. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.