Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Burbank, CA and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,837 a month against $3,642 in Burbank, CA, rent and utilities included – about $21,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Burbank, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,642
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Burbank, CA and in Panama City

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Burbank, CA and in Panama City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,642 per month in Burbank, CA vs $1,837 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Burbank, CA $3,642
  • Panama City $1,837

A couple spends around $3,559 per month in Burbank, CA vs $2,825 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Burbank, CA $3,559
  • Panama City $2,825

A family of three spends $3,476 per month in Burbank, CA vs $3,812 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Burbank, CA $3,476
  • Panama City $3,812

Burbank, CA costs about 98% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Burbank, CA and Panama City sit above the global median – Burbank, CA by 172%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.41 $25.41
$11.34 PAB 11.34
124.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$77.1 $77.1
$47.85 PAB 47.85
61.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.95 $14.95
$8.07 PAB 8.07
85.25%
Cappuccino
$5.79 $5.79
$4.02 PAB 4.02
44.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 $3.79
$1.94 PAB 1.94
95.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 $2.65
$1.62 PAB 1.62
63.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.77 $7.77
$3.26 PAB 3.26
138.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.03 $10.03
$3.99 PAB 3.99
151.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.30 $1.30
$1.83 PAB 1.83
-28.96%
White Bread (500g)
$4.82 $4.82
$2.57 PAB 2.57
87.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.54 $4.54
$3.33 PAB 3.33
36.34%
Eggs
$5.81 $5.81
$2.69 PAB 2.69
115.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.40 $15.40
$12.33 PAB 12.33
24.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.31 $16.31
$6.69 PAB 6.69
143.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.27 $19.27
$10.40 PAB 10.40
85.29%
Apples (1kg)
$5.09 $5.09
$4.16 PAB 4.16
22.36%
Banana (1kg)
$2.33 $2.33
$1.84 PAB 1.84
26.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.94 $3.94
$4.18 PAB 4.18
-5.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.65 $5.65
$4.08 PAB 4.08
38.48%
Potato (1kg)
$3.17 $3.17
$3.50 PAB 3.50
-9.43%
Onion (1kg)
$2.81 $2.81
$4.37 PAB 4.37
-35.70%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.34 PAB 2.34
-6.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.72 $2.72
$1.75 PAB 1.75
55.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.82 $11.82
$6.06 PAB 6.06
95.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.95 $14.95
$11.72 PAB 11.72
27.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.37 PAB 1.37
82.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.84 PAB 2.84
-2.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.73 $1.73
$0.36 PAB 0.36
380.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$20.96 PAB 20.96
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.15 $3.15
$2.52 PAB 2.52
25.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 $1.86
$1.79 PAB 1.79
3.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.06 $32.06
$22.01 PAB 22.01
45.66%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.25 PAB 1.25
16.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K $36.4K
$21.5K PAB 21.5K
69.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
20.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$214 $214
$131 PAB 131
63.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$78.5 $78.5
$27.68 PAB 27.68
183.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.8 $72.8
$48.59 PAB 48.59
49.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$129 $129
$46.11 PAB 46.11
179.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$35.01 PAB 35.01
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.80 $19.80
$8.73 PAB 8.73
126.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,670 $1,670
$551 PAB 551
203.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.8K $31.8K
$9,560 PAB 9,560
232.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.0 $63.0
$67.6 PAB 67.6
-6.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.44 $48.44
$48.03 PAB 48.03
0.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 $106
$94.9 PAB 94.9
11.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$113 PAB 113
-8.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,217 $3,217
$1,238 PAB 1,238
159.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,096 $2,096
$873 PAB 873
140.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,197 PAB 2,197
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,538 PAB 1,538
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,116 PAB 3,116
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,725 PAB 1,725
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burbank, CA
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,421 $5,421
$934 PAB 934
480.17%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.31
6.39
-1.25%

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

Last update for Burbank, CA: October 5, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Burbank, CA
$2.1K
Panama City
$873 58.3% $1.2K
Groceries & Markets
Burbank, CA
$476
Panama City
$324 31.9% $152
Eating Out
Burbank, CA
$402
Panama City
$202 49.9% $201
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burbank, CA
$365
Panama City
$207 43.2% $158
Sport & Entertainment
Burbank, CA
$168
Panama City
$64 62.2% $105
Clothing & Footwear
Burbank, CA
$144
Panama City
$146 0.9% $1.3
Getting Around
Burbank, CA
$19 *
Panama City
$34 75% $15

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,217 in Burbank, CA versus $1,238 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.

Salaries run about 480% higher in Burbank, CA, 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 $77.0 in Burbank, CA versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $476 vs $324 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Burbank, CA
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
11:16 11:16 AM
13:16 1:16 PM
2 h ahead of Burbank, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
103,340
1,086,990 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Burbank, CA Panama City 4,840 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Burbank, CA
  • Panama City

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
Burbank, CA vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Burbank, CA or Panama City?
Burbank, CA costs about 98% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Burbank, CA and in Panama City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,463 per month in Burbank, CA and $2,756 in Panama City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Burbank, CA or Panama City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Panama City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Burbank, CA compared to Panama City?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,642 in Burbank, CA and $1,837 in Panama City. That's a gap of about 98%.
How do childcare costs compare in Burbank, CA and in Panama City?
Kindergarten costs $1,670 per month in Burbank, CA and $551 in Panama City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Burbank, CA or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,837, than in Burbank, CA at $3,642. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Burbank, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Burbank, CA or Panama City?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Panama City costs $1,837 versus $3,642 in Burbank, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Burbank, CA compared to Panama City?
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.
Should I move to Burbank, CA or to Panama City?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Burbank, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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