Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Fredericton and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,837 a month against $2,008 in Fredericton, rent and utilities included – about $2,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Fredericton
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,008
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,008 in Fredericton versus $1,837 in Panama City.

  • Fredericton $2,008
  • Panama City $1,837

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,000 in Fredericton versus $2,825 in Panama City.

  • Fredericton $3,000
  • Panama City $2,825

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,992 in Fredericton versus $3,812 in Panama City.

  • Fredericton $3,992
  • Panama City $3,812

Living in Fredericton is roughly 9% more expensive than in Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Fredericton 50% above, Panama City 37% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.53 CA$22.14
$11.34 PAB 11.34
36.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.6 CA$89.3
$47.85 PAB 47.85
30.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.60 CA$17.96
$8.07 PAB 8.07
56.13%
Cappuccino
$3.93 CA$5.60
$4.02 PAB 4.02
-2.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 CA$3.81
$1.94 PAB 1.94
37.63%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 CA$2.97
$1.62 PAB 1.62
28.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.30 CA$7.56
$3.26 PAB 3.26
62.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.77 CA$6.80
$3.99 PAB 3.99
19.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 CA$2.48
$1.83 PAB 1.83
-4.92%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.92
$2.57 PAB 2.57
7.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 CA$3.60
$3.33 PAB 3.33
-24.02%
Eggs
$3.75 CA$5.34
$2.69 PAB 2.69
39.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.28 CA$16.07
$12.33 PAB 12.33
-8.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.91 CA$14.13
$6.69 PAB 6.69
48.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.14 CA$14.45
$10.40 PAB 10.40
-2.50%
Apples (1kg)
$4.56 CA$6.50
$4.16 PAB 4.16
9.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 CA$2.25
$1.84 PAB 1.84
-14.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.52 CA$6.45
$4.18 PAB 4.18
8.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.29 CA$7.54
$4.08 PAB 4.08
29.66%
Potato (1kg)
$2.54 CA$3.62
$3.50 PAB 3.50
-27.43%
Onion (1kg)
$1.53 CA$2.19
$4.37 PAB 4.37
-64.99%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.11 CA$3.00
$2.34 PAB 2.34
-9.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 CA$2.32
$1.75 PAB 1.75
-6.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.24 CA$16.02
$6.06 PAB 6.06
85.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.11 CA$17.26
$11.72 PAB 11.72
3.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01 CA$4.29
$1.37 PAB 1.37
119.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.56 CA$6.50
$2.84 PAB 2.84
60.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.13 CA$3.04
$0.36 PAB 0.36
491.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$55.9 CA$79.7
$20.96 PAB 20.96
166.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.77 CA$3.95
$2.52 PAB 2.52
9.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.35 CA$1.93
$1.79 PAB 1.79
-24.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.72 CA$29.53
$22.01 PAB 22.01
-5.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 CA$1.80
$1.25 PAB 1.25
0.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K CA$39.0K
$21.5K PAB 21.5K
27.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K CA$27.3K
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
-9.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$126 CA$180
$131 PAB 131
-3.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.6 CA$101
$27.68 PAB 27.68
155.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.9 CA$98.3
$48.59 PAB 48.59
41.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.53 CA$56.3
$46.11 PAB 46.11
-14.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.80 CA$35.35
$35.01 PAB 35.01
-29.16%
Cinema Ticket
$10.54 CA$15.02
$8.73 PAB 8.73
20.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$577 CA$823
$551 PAB 551
4.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,714 CA$2,444
$9,560 PAB 9,560
-82.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.45 CA$69.1
$67.6 PAB 67.6
-28.34%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.03 CA$55.6
$48.03 PAB 48.03
-18.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.8 CA$108
$94.9 PAB 94.9
-20.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.2 CA$117
$113 PAB 113
-27.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,144 CA$1,631
$1,238 PAB 1,238
-7.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$836 CA$1,192
$873 PAB 873
-4.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,823 CA$2,599
$2,197 PAB 2,197
-17.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,467 CA$2,090
$1,538 PAB 1,538
-4.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,873 CA$2,670
$3,116 PAB 3,116
-39.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,842 CA$2,626
$1,725 PAB 1,725
6.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fredericton
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,328 CA$3,318
$934 PAB 934
149.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.77
6.39
-25.35%

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

Last update for Fredericton: 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
Fredericton
$836
Panama City
$873 4.4% $37
Groceries & Markets
Fredericton
$348
Panama City
$324 6.8% $23
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fredericton
$266
Panama City
$207 22% $59
Eating Out
Fredericton
$264
Panama City
$202 23.7% $63
Clothing & Footwear
Fredericton
$110
Panama City
$146 31.8% $35
Getting Around
Fredericton
$74
Panama City
$34 54.2% $40
Sport & Entertainment
Fredericton
$61
Panama City
$64 4.9% $3

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,144 in Fredericton and $1,238 in Panama City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Fredericton pays 149% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $63.0 in Fredericton vs $48.00 in Panama City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $348 vs $324 per month, with Panama City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Fredericton
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
03:40 3:40 AM
01:40 1:40 AM
2 h behind Fredericton
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
56,224
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
  • Fredericton Panama City 4,290 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Fredericton
  • 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
Fredericton vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Fredericton?
Panama City is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and utilities. The 9% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Fredericton or Panama City?
Average pay runs 149% higher in Fredericton, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Fredericton and Panama City?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,144 in Fredericton versus $1,238 in Panama City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Panama City runs roughly 167% less than in Fredericton. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $577 in Fredericton versus $551 in Panama City. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Fredericton or in Panama City?
At $1,837 in Panama City versus $2,008 in Fredericton, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Panama City but tight or insufficient in Fredericton. The gap between the two cities makes Panama City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Fredericton or Panama City more family-friendly?
For families, Panama City is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Fredericton, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Panama City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Fredericton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Fredericton vs other spots: cost of living compared

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