Cost of Living Comparison Between Bugaba and Panama City Cost of Living Comparison Between Bugaba and Panama City

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $663 per month in Bugaba vs $1,763 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,039 per month in Bugaba vs $2,717 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,416 per month in Bugaba vs $3,671 in Panama City, rent included.

Bugaba is about 62% cheaper than Panama City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Bugaba sits 51% below the global median, while Panama City is 32% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.98 PAB 2.98

$10.08 PAB 10.08

-70.44%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.4 PAB 50.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.85 PAB 4.85

$7.80 PAB 7.80

-37.82%

Cappuccino

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$3.69 PAB 3.69

-65.31%

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

$0.99 PAB 0.99

$1.70 PAB 1.70

-41.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 PAB 0.51

$1.35 PAB 1.35

-62.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.51 PAB 1.51

$3.06 PAB 3.06

-50.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 PAB 2.03

$3.91 PAB 3.91

-48.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 PAB 1.61

$1.82 PAB 1.82

-11.54%

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 PAB 2.04

$2.56 PAB 2.56

-20.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 PAB 1.51

$2.49 PAB 2.49

-39.36%

Eggs

$2.71 PAB 2.71

$2.96 PAB 2.96

-8.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.93 PAB 2.93

$11.25 PAB 11.25

-73.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.27 PAB 3.27

$7.22 PAB 7.22

-54.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.88 PAB 3.88

$10.19 PAB 10.19

-61.92%

Apples (1kg)

$1.97 PAB 1.97

$3.43 PAB 3.43

-42.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 PAB 1.49

$1.50 PAB 1.50

-0.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.27 PAB 1.27

$2.85 PAB 2.85

-55.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$3.19 PAB 3.19

-68.03%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 PAB 1.27

$2.21 PAB 2.21

-42.53%

Onion (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

$2.77 PAB 2.77

-46.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.52 PAB 0.52

$2.25 PAB 2.25

-76.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 PAB 1.22

$1.58 PAB 1.58

-22.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.80 PAB 9.80

$5.91 PAB 5.91

65.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.11 PAB 11.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 PAB 1.46

$1.28 PAB 1.28

14.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 PAB 2.05

$2.32 PAB 2.32

-11.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PAB 0.43

$0.40 PAB 0.40

7.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.50 PAB 30.50

$22.08 PAB 22.08

38.13%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.49 PAB 1.49

$2.57 PAB 2.57

-42.02%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.02 PAB 2.02

$1.78 PAB 1.78

13.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.78 PAB 19.78

$21.73 PAB 21.73

-8.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 PAB 1.05

$0.93 PAB 0.93

12.90%

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

$25.3K PAB 25.3K

$19.7K PAB 19.7K

28.49%

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

$18.2K PAB 18.2K

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

-13.03%

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

$76.4 PAB 76.4

$121 PAB 121

-37.09%

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

$29.44 PAB 29.44

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.42 PAB 39.42

$49.27 PAB 49.27

-19.99%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.72 PAB 34.72

$45.92 PAB 45.92

-24.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$50.4 PAB 50.4

$32.32 PAB 32.32

55.79%

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 PAB 3.95

$8.11 PAB 8.11

-51.29%

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

$484 PAB 484

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K PAB 15.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 PAB 54.4

$51.2 PAB 51.2

6.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.60 PAB 39.60

$45.98 PAB 45.98

-13.88%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.1 PAB 61.1

$89.0 PAB 89.0

-31.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.25 PAB 49.25

$122 PAB 122

-59.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$201 PAB 201

$1,157 PAB 1,157

-82.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 PAB 151

$893 PAB 893

-83.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$655 PAB 655

$1,996 PAB 1,996

-67.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$349 PAB 349

$1,580 PAB 1,580

-77.89%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,069 PAB 3,069

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,730 PAB 1,730

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$962 PAB 962

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

-51.85%

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

Last update for Bugaba: May 31, 2026

Last update for Panama City: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $201 in Bugaba versus $1,157 in Panama City. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

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

Bugaba vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City costs about 166% more than Bugaba, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $994 per month in Bugaba and $2,644 in Panama City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bugaba, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $663 in Bugaba and $1,763 in Panama City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 90% more in Panama City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bugaba, where all-in costs run around $663, than in Panama City at $1,763. In Bugaba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bugaba costs $663 versus $1,763 in Panama City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bugaba. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Panama City makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.