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 $1,306 per month in Fukuoka vs $1,814 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,041 per month in Fukuoka vs $2,693 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,777 per month in Fukuoka vs $3,572 in Panama City, rent included.

Fukuoka is about 28% cheaper than Panama City, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Fukuoka sits 2% below the global median, while Panama City is 35% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.24 ¥1,314

$10.20 PAB 10.20

-19.22%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.19 ¥6,730

$49.54 PAB 49.54

-14.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.24 ¥995

$7.80 PAB 7.80

-20.00%

Cappuccino

$3.13 ¥499

$3.56 PAB 3.56

-12.08%

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

$1.09 ¥173

$1.73 PAB 1.73

-36.99%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 ¥124

$1.41 PAB 1.41

-44.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.68 ¥269

$2.95 PAB 2.95

-43.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 ¥330

$3.99 PAB 3.99

-48.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ¥273

$1.84 PAB 1.84

-7.07%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ¥255

$2.47 PAB 2.47

-35.22%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.10 ¥654

$2.38 PAB 2.38

72.27%

Eggs

$2.60 ¥415

$2.86 PAB 2.86

-9.09%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.07 ¥3,362

$11.40 PAB 11.40

84.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.11 ¥975

$7.00 PAB 7.00

-12.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.91 ¥3,335

$10.05 PAB 10.05

108.06%

Apples (1kg)

$3.13 ¥500

$3.39 PAB 3.39

-7.67%

Banana (1kg)

$1.41 ¥224

$1.48 PAB 1.48

-4.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.35 ¥215

$2.89 PAB 2.89

-53.29%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.93 ¥946

$3.17 PAB 3.17

87.07%

Potato (1kg)

$2.80 ¥447

$2.31 PAB 2.31

21.21%

Onion (1kg)

$3.25 ¥519

$2.81 PAB 2.81

15.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.97 ¥154

$2.17 PAB 2.17

-55.30%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ¥122

$1.54 PAB 1.54

-50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.94 ¥629

$6.17 PAB 6.17

-36.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.40 ¥1,020

$11.14 PAB 11.14

-42.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 ¥320

$1.23 PAB 1.23

62.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 ¥339

$2.43 PAB 2.43

-12.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.81 ¥289

$0.40 PAB 0.40

352.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.35 ¥6,757

$22.08 PAB 22.08

91.80%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.63 ¥738

$2.55 PAB 2.55

81.57%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.51 ¥719

$1.78 PAB 1.78

153.37%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.43 ¥3,100

$21.60 PAB 21.60

-10.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ¥197

$0.89 PAB 0.89

38.20%

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

$22.8K ¥3.6M

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

15.04%

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

$20.1K ¥3.2M

$20.4K PAB 20.4K

-1.42%

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

$215 ¥34.3K

$121 PAB 121

77.76%

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

$27.08 ¥4,320

$30.22 PAB 30.22

-10.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.39 ¥5,645

$49.45 PAB 49.45

-28.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$58.6 ¥9,354

$45.38 PAB 45.38

29.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.39 ¥541

$32.57 PAB 32.57

-89.59%

Cinema Ticket

$13.91 ¥2,220

$7.89 PAB 7.89

76.30%

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

$424 ¥67.6K

$469 PAB 469

-9.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K ¥2.1M

$15.9K PAB 15.9K

-16.33%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.07 ¥6,871

$50.8 PAB 50.8

-15.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.05 ¥4,795

$47.02 PAB 47.02

-36.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.6 ¥10.3K

$89.5 PAB 89.5

-27.82%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.5 ¥9,647

$122 PAB 122

-50.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$537 ¥85.7K

$1,133 PAB 1,133

-52.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$293 ¥46.8K

$874 PAB 874

-66.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,038 ¥165.6K

$2,002 PAB 2,002

-48.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$699 ¥111.5K

$1,558 PAB 1,558

-55.15%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,288 ¥1.0M

$3,087 PAB 3,087

103.68%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,673 ¥426.4K

$1,710 PAB 1,710

56.30%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,547 ¥246.8K

$964 PAB 964

60.49%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

1.67

6.23

-73.19%

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

Last update for Fukuoka: April 26, 2026

Last update for Panama City: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $537 in Fukuoka versus $1,133 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 60% 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 $50.0 in Panama City. Groceries tell a different story – $331 in Fukuoka vs $290 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: $1,306 in Fukuoka, $1,814 in Panama City – roughly 39% apart. Panama City costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,960 per month in Fukuoka and $2,721 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 $424 per month in Fukuoka and $469 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 14% 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 $1,306, than in Panama City at $1,814. 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 $1,306 in Fukuoka to $1,814 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.