Cost of Living Comparison Between Brazil and Panama Cost of Living Comparison Between Brazil and Panama

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $765 per month in Brazil vs $839 in Panama, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,223 per month in Brazil vs $1,204 in Panama, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,681 per month in Brazil vs $1,568 in Panama, rent included.

Brazil is roughly 9% cheaper than Panama on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Brazil and Panama are more affordable than the global median – Brazil 43% lower, Panama 37% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.34 R$26.73
$9.83 PAB 9.83
-45.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.68 R$144
$49.27 PAB 49.27
-41.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.33 R$31.68
$7.71 PAB 7.71
-17.90%
Cappuccino
$1.77 R$8.84
$3.58 PAB 3.58
-50.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 R$5.40
$1.47 PAB 1.47
-26.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 R$3.28
$1.28 PAB 1.28
-48.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.81 R$9.08
$2.19 PAB 2.19
-17.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 R$13.79
$3.69 PAB 3.69
-25.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.93 R$4.67
$1.79 PAB 1.79
-48.04%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 R$7.36
$2.48 PAB 2.48
-40.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 R$5.89
$2.31 PAB 2.31
-48.92%
Eggs
$2.05 R$10.26
$2.63 PAB 2.63
-22.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.34 R$41.75
$11.15 PAB 11.15
-25.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.77 R$18.88
$7.03 PAB 7.03
-46.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.26 R$36.34
$9.03 PAB 9.03
-19.60%
Apples (1kg)
$2.07 R$10.38
$3.91 PAB 3.91
-47.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.27 R$6.36
$1.33 PAB 1.33
-4.51%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.13 R$5.64
$2.88 PAB 2.88
-60.76%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.45 R$7.25
$3.05 PAB 3.05
-52.46%
Potato (1kg)
$1.13 R$5.67
$2.17 PAB 2.17
-47.93%
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 R$5.54
$2.37 PAB 2.37
-53.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 R$3.60
$2.07 PAB 2.07
-65.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69 R$3.43
$1.64 PAB 1.64
-57.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.15 R$10.74
$6.08 PAB 6.08
-64.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.09 R$40.47
$10.16 PAB 10.16
-20.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17 R$5.86
$1.25 PAB 1.25
-6.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 R$10.66
$2.22 PAB 2.22
-4.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Brazil
Panama
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 R$4.31
$0.52 PAB 0.52
65.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.93 R$205
$25.30 PAB 25.30
61.78%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.06 R$5.29
$2.02 PAB 2.02
-47.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.90 R$4.48
$1.97 PAB 1.97
-54.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.33 R$36.68
$20.62 PAB 20.62
-64.45%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04 R$5.20
$0.88 PAB 0.88
18.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K R$106.5K
$22.1K PAB 22.1K
-3.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K R$137.6K
$20.7K PAB 20.7K
33.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$68.1 R$341
$108 PAB 108
-37.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.08 R$70.4
$29.06 PAB 29.06
-51.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.45 R$97.3
$48.71 PAB 48.71
-60.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.15 R$116
$49.82 PAB 49.82
-53.53%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.55 R$113
$33.48 PAB 33.48
-32.65%
Cinema Ticket
$6.36 R$31.84
$6.79 PAB 6.79
-6.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$289 R$1,445
$451 PAB 451
-35.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,444 R$37.3K
$11.4K PAB 11.4K
-34.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.66 R$249
$46.60 PAB 46.60
6.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.98 R$210
$41.52 PAB 41.52
1.11%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.4 R$387
$83.5 PAB 83.5
-7.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.0 R$316
$117 PAB 117
-45.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brazil
Panama
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$326 R$1,632
$933 PAB 933
-65.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$229 R$1,144
$728 PAB 728
-68.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$634 R$3,170
$1,732 PAB 1,732
-63.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$452 R$2,263
$1,363 PAB 1,363
-66.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,906 R$9,537
$2,991 PAB 2,991
-36.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,257 R$6,293
$1,673 PAB 1,673
-24.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brazil
Panama
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$536 R$2,683
$820 PAB 820
-34.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.16
6.3
77.14%

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

Last update for Brazil: May 31, 2026

Last update for Panama: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $304 in Brazil vs $368 in Panama. For reference, capital cities sit at $408 in Brasilia and $1,157 in Panama City.

Average salary: $494 in Brazil vs $720 in Panama. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 21% higher in Panama.

Public transport is 680% more expensive in Brazil.

Salaries are 46% higher in Panama, giving Panama stronger purchasing power.

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
Brazil vs Panama: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Brazil and Panama compare in cost of living?
Brazil is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 8% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Brazil and Panama?
Housing costs more in Panama, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Panama consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Brazil or Panama?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Brazil, contributing to the overall 8% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $2,000 go in Brazil vs Panama?
$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Brazil, but in Panama it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Brazil and Panama?
Brazil is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

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