Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Charlottetown and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,837 a month against $1,957 in Charlottetown, rent and utilities included – about $1,400 less a year. The total is higher in Charlottetown despite lower rent and utilities.

Charlottetown
🇨🇦 Canada
$1,957
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Charlottetown 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 Charlottetown and in Panama City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,957 per month in Charlottetown vs $1,837 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Charlottetown $1,957
  • Panama City $1,837

A couple spends around $2,920 per month in Charlottetown vs $2,825 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Charlottetown $2,920
  • Panama City $2,825

A family of three spends $3,882 per month in Charlottetown vs $3,812 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Charlottetown $3,882
  • Panama City $3,812

Charlottetown costs about 7% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Charlottetown and Panama City sit above the global median – Charlottetown by 46%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.00 CA$19.95
$11.34 PAB 11.34
23.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.2 CA$84.3
$47.85 PAB 47.85
23.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.23 CA$13.16
$8.07 PAB 8.07
14.37%
Cappuccino
$3.57 CA$5.08
$4.02 PAB 4.02
-11.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 CA$2.46
$1.94 PAB 1.94
-10.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 CA$1.84
$1.62 PAB 1.62
-20.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.52 CA$7.87
$3.26 PAB 3.26
69.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.57 CA$7.94
$3.99 PAB 3.99
39.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 CA$3.18
$1.83 PAB 1.83
21.86%
White Bread (500g)
$2.99 CA$4.27
$2.57 PAB 2.57
16.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.85 CA$6.91
$3.33 PAB 3.33
45.65%
Eggs
$3.90 CA$5.56
$2.69 PAB 2.69
44.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.34 CA$16.16
$12.33 PAB 12.33
-8.03%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.86 CA$21.18
$6.69 PAB 6.69
122.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.99 CA$24.22
$10.40 PAB 10.40
63.37%
Apples (1kg)
$3.52 CA$5.02
$4.16 PAB 4.16
-15.38%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.07
$1.84 PAB 1.84
-21.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.91 CA$5.57
$4.18 PAB 4.18
-6.46%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.72 CA$6.73
$4.08 PAB 4.08
15.69%
Potato (1kg)
$1.72 CA$2.45
$3.50 PAB 3.50
-50.86%
Onion (1kg)
$3.12 CA$4.44
$4.37 PAB 4.37
-28.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.67 CA$3.81
$2.34 PAB 2.34
14.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03 CA$2.90
$1.75 PAB 1.75
16.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$17.45 CA$24.87
$6.06 PAB 6.06
187.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.70 CA$19.52
$11.72 PAB 11.72
16.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.25 CA$4.64
$1.37 PAB 1.37
137.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 CA$4.41
$2.84 PAB 2.84
8.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.42 CA$2.03
$0.36 PAB 0.36
294.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.18 CA$20.21
$20.96 PAB 20.96
-32.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$7.29 CA$10.39
$2.52 PAB 2.52
189.29%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 CA$2.93
$1.79 PAB 1.79
14.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.61 CA$39.35
$22.01 PAB 22.01
25.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 CA$1.77
$1.25 PAB 1.25
-0.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6K CA$39.3K
$21.5K PAB 21.5K
28.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.3K CA$26.1K
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
-13.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$124 CA$177
$131 PAB 131
-5.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.57 CA$46.42
$27.68 PAB 27.68
17.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.0 CA$104
$48.59 PAB 48.59
50.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.9 CA$81.1
$46.11 PAB 46.11
23.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.55 CA$5.06
$35.01 PAB 35.01
-89.86%
Cinema Ticket
$10.57 CA$15.07
$8.73 PAB 8.73
21.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$157 CA$224
$551 PAB 551
-71.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,560 PAB 9,560
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.61 CA$56.5
$67.6 PAB 67.6
-41.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.73 CA$48.08
$48.03 PAB 48.03
-29.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.1 CA$118
$94.9 PAB 94.9
-12.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129 CA$184
$113 PAB 113
14.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,091 CA$1,555
$1,238 PAB 1,238
-11.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$823 CA$1,174
$873 PAB 873
-5.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,747 CA$2,491
$2,197 PAB 2,197
-20.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,358 CA$1,936
$1,538 PAB 1,538
-11.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,107 CA$4,428
$3,116 PAB 3,116
-0.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,923 CA$2,741
$1,725 PAB 1,725
11.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Charlottetown
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,415 CA$3,442
$934 PAB 934
158.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.58
6.39
-28.33%

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

Last update for Charlottetown: October 6, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Charlottetown
$823
Panama City
$873 6.1% $50
Groceries & Markets
Charlottetown
$408
Panama City
$324 20.6% $84
Eating Out
Charlottetown
$233
Panama City
$202 13.5% $32
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Charlottetown
$230
Panama City
$207 9.7% $22
Clothing & Footwear
Charlottetown
$129
Panama City
$146 13.1% $17
Sport & Entertainment
Charlottetown
$78
Panama City
$64 18.6% $14
Getting Around
Charlottetown
$37
Panama City
$34 9.5% $3.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,091 in Charlottetown 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 158% higher in Charlottetown, 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 $59.0 in Charlottetown versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $408 vs $324 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Charlottetown
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
08:57 8:57 AM
06:57 6:57 AM
2 h behind Charlottetown
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
38,809
1,086,990 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 CAD (1 CAD = 0.702 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 CAD (1 CAD = 0.626 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
  • Charlottetown Panama City 4,430 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Charlottetown
  • 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
Charlottetown vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Charlottetown or Panama City?
Charlottetown costs about 7% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Charlottetown and in Panama City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,936 per month in Charlottetown 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, Charlottetown 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 Charlottetown compared to Panama City?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,957 in Charlottetown and $1,837 in Panama City. That's a gap of about 7%.
How expensive is transport in Charlottetown compared to Panama City?
Public transport costs about 48% less in Panama City. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Charlottetown or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,837, than in Charlottetown at $1,957. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Charlottetown it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Charlottetown or Panama City?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Panama City costs $1,837 versus $1,957 in Charlottetown. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Charlottetown or to Panama City?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Charlottetown makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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