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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,184 per month in Fukuoka vs $1,872 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,902 per month in Fukuoka vs $2,724 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,619 per month in Fukuoka vs $3,576 in Panama City, rent included.

Fukuoka is about 37% cheaper than Panama City, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Fukuoka sits 12% below the global median, while Panama City is 39% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.83 ¥1,075

$10.14 PAB 10.14

-32.64%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.45 ¥6,680

$48.20 PAB 48.20

-11.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.76 ¥906

$8.04 PAB 8.04

-28.36%

Cappuccino

$3.27 ¥514

$4.04 PAB 4.04

-19.06%

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

$1.05 ¥166

$2.05 PAB 2.05

-48.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 ¥102

$1.61 PAB 1.61

-59.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.90 ¥613

$3.27 PAB 3.27

19.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 ¥348

$3.92 PAB 3.92

-43.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ¥258

$1.84 PAB 1.84

-10.87%

White Bread (500g)

$1.87 ¥294

$2.28 PAB 2.28

-17.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.58 ¥1,035

$3.19 PAB 3.19

106.27%

Eggs

$2.27 ¥357

$2.78 PAB 2.78

-18.35%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.96 ¥2,827

$12.38 PAB 12.38

45.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.37 ¥844

$6.52 PAB 6.52

-17.64%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 ¥2,963

$10.33 PAB 10.33

82.28%

Apples (1kg)

$3.74 ¥588

$4.34 PAB 4.34

-13.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.85 ¥291

$1.69 PAB 1.69

9.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 ¥462

$3.88 PAB 3.88

-24.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.29 ¥518

$3.92 PAB 3.92

-16.07%

Potato (1kg)

$2.14 ¥337

$3.15 PAB 3.15

-32.06%

Onion (1kg)

$2.57 ¥404

$4.24 PAB 4.24

-39.39%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 ¥168

$2.15 PAB 2.15

-50.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 ¥152

$1.69 PAB 1.69

-43.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.05 ¥637

$6.04 PAB 6.04

-32.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.54 ¥1,030

$11.11 PAB 11.11

-41.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 ¥271

$1.40 PAB 1.40

22.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 ¥291

$2.83 PAB 2.83

-34.63%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.53 ¥241

$0.34 PAB 0.34

350.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.10 ¥6,625

$21.08 PAB 21.08

99.72%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.87 ¥609

$2.52 PAB 2.52

53.57%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.05 ¥323

$1.79 PAB 1.79

14.53%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.69 ¥2,784

$22.26 PAB 22.26

-20.53%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.12 ¥176

$1.21 PAB 1.21

-7.44%

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

$22.2K ¥3.5M

$21.6K PAB 21.6K

2.70%

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

$17.5K ¥2.8M

$21.4K PAB 21.4K

-18.22%

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

$188 ¥29.6K

$129 PAB 129

46.07%

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

$25.03 ¥3,939

$29.07 PAB 29.07

-13.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.06 ¥5,203

$49.02 PAB 49.02

-32.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.5 ¥7,938

$46.72 PAB 46.72

7.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$33.96 PAB 33.96

Cinema Ticket

$11.14 ¥1,753

$8.14 PAB 8.14

36.86%

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

$125 ¥19.7K

$551 PAB 551

-77.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.1K ¥1.9M

$9,595 PAB 9,595

26.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.47 ¥6,053

$60.5 PAB 60.5

-36.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.27 ¥3,820

$46.92 PAB 46.92

-48.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.8 ¥9,571

$93.3 PAB 93.3

-34.80%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.99 ¥7,394

$119 PAB 119

-60.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$480 ¥75.5K

$1,340 PAB 1,340

-64.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$263 ¥41.4K

$923 PAB 923

-71.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,108 ¥174.4K

$2,112 PAB 2,112

-47.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$682 ¥107.4K

$1,475 PAB 1,475

-53.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,402 ¥1.0M

$3,153 PAB 3,153

103.06%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,673 ¥420.6K

$1,667 PAB 1,667

60.30%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,976 ¥310.9K

$922 PAB 922

114.27%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

1.85

6.39

-71.05%

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

Last update for Fukuoka: September 21, 2026

Last update for Panama City: September 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $480 in Fukuoka versus $1,340 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 114% higher in Fukuoka, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Fukuoka versus $48.00 in Panama City. Groceries tell a different story – $318 in Fukuoka vs $315 in Panama City – so Panama City wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $1,184 in Fukuoka, $1,872 in Panama City – roughly 58% apart. Panama City costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,776 per month in Fukuoka and $2,809 in Panama City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $125 per month in Fukuoka and $551 in Panama City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Panama City – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Fukuoka, where all-in costs run around $1,184, than in Panama City at $1,872. In Fukuoka it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Fukuoka has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,184 in Fukuoka to $1,872 in Panama City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Fukuoka. 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.