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 $1,291 per month in Fukuoka vs $1,821 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,023 per month in Fukuoka vs $2,744 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,754 per month in Fukuoka vs $3,667 in Panama City, rent included.

Fukuoka is about 29% cheaper than Panama City, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Fukuoka sits 3% below the global median, while Panama City is 37% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.55 ¥1,347

$10.16 PAB 10.16

-15.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.07 ¥6,629

$49.35 PAB 49.35

-14.75%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.08 ¥958

$8.17 PAB 8.17

-25.58%

Cappuccino

$3.15 ¥496

$3.57 PAB 3.57

-11.76%

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

$1.09 ¥171

$1.71 PAB 1.71

-36.26%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 ¥120

$1.35 PAB 1.35

-43.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.64 ¥258

$3.07 PAB 3.07

-46.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 ¥318

$4.06 PAB 4.06

-50.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 ¥273

$1.81 PAB 1.81

-4.42%

White Bread (500g)

$1.58 ¥249

$2.45 PAB 2.45

-35.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.08 ¥643

$2.50 PAB 2.50

63.20%

Eggs

$2.63 ¥415

$2.96 PAB 2.96

-11.15%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.60 ¥3,246

$11.57 PAB 11.57

78.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.25 ¥984

$7.35 PAB 7.35

-14.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.46 ¥3,224

$10.10 PAB 10.10

102.57%

Apples (1kg)

$3.18 ¥501

$3.27 PAB 3.27

-2.75%

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 ¥225

$1.55 PAB 1.55

-7.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.36 ¥214

$2.73 PAB 2.73

-50.18%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.73 ¥903

$3.07 PAB 3.07

86.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.85 ¥449

$2.21 PAB 2.21

28.96%

Onion (1kg)

$3.12 ¥492

$2.92 PAB 2.92

6.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 ¥143

$2.23 PAB 2.23

-59.19%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ¥121

$1.57 PAB 1.57

-50.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.96 ¥624

$5.94 PAB 5.94

-33.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.16 ¥970

$10.64 PAB 10.64

-42.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 ¥303

$1.30 PAB 1.30

47.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 ¥333

$2.40 PAB 2.40

-12.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.78 ¥280

$0.40 PAB 0.40

345.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.97 ¥6,614

$22.52 PAB 22.52

86.37%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.72 ¥744

$2.53 PAB 2.53

86.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.46 ¥703

$1.79 PAB 1.79

149.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.49 ¥3,071

$22.26 PAB 22.26

-12.44%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 ¥190

$0.88 PAB 0.88

37.50%

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

$22.9K ¥3.6M

$19.5K PAB 19.5K

17.03%

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

$20.4K ¥3.2M

$20.3K PAB 20.3K

0.53%

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

$219 ¥34.5K

$122 PAB 122

78.69%

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

$27.63 ¥4,353

$30.02 PAB 30.02

-7.96%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.36 ¥5,572

$49.29 PAB 49.29

-28.26%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$58.9 ¥9,275

$45.68 PAB 45.68

28.85%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.38 ¥533

$32.85 PAB 32.85

-89.71%

Cinema Ticket

$13.95 ¥2,198

$7.88 PAB 7.88

77.03%

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

$414 ¥65.2K

$484 PAB 484

-14.43%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K ¥2.1M

$15.7K PAB 15.7K

-14.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.64 ¥6,876

$50.9 PAB 50.9

-14.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.39 ¥4,631

$45.70 PAB 45.70

-35.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.5 ¥10.5K

$88.6 PAB 88.6

-24.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$59.7 ¥9,413

$120 PAB 120

-50.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$543 ¥85.6K

$1,129 PAB 1,129

-51.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$294 ¥46.3K

$881 PAB 881

-66.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,056 ¥166.3K

$2,031 PAB 2,031

-48.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$710 ¥111.9K

$1,564 PAB 1,564

-54.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,208 ¥978.2K

$3,044 PAB 3,044

103.95%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,623 ¥413.3K

$1,665 PAB 1,665

57.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,547 ¥243.8K

$949 PAB 949

63.07%

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: July 27, 2026

Last update for Panama City: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $543 in Fukuoka versus $1,129 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 63% 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 $49.00 in Panama City. Groceries tell a different story – $327 in Fukuoka vs $291 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: $1,291 in Fukuoka, $1,821 in Panama City – roughly 41% apart. Panama City costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,937 per month in Fukuoka and $2,732 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 $414 per month in Fukuoka and $484 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 12% 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 $1,291, than in Panama City at $1,821. 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 $1,291 in Fukuoka to $1,821 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.