Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ilheus and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Ilheus: $839 a month against $1,837 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $12,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ilheus
🇧🇷 Brazil
$839
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $839 per month in Ilheus vs $1,837 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Ilheus $839
  • Panama City $1,837

A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Ilheus vs $2,825 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Ilheus $1,360
  • Panama City $2,825

A family of three spends $1,882 per month in Ilheus vs $3,812 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Ilheus $1,882
  • Panama City $3,812

Ilheus is about 54% cheaper than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

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

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.39 R$21.94
$11.34 PAB 11.34
-61.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.59 R$158
$47.85 PAB 47.85
-33.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.73 R$38.60
$8.07 PAB 8.07
-4.21%
Cappuccino
$2.06 R$10.30
$4.02 PAB 4.02
-48.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16 R$5.79
$1.94 PAB 1.94
-40.21%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 R$4.23
$1.62 PAB 1.62
-47.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.99 R$9.91
$3.26 PAB 3.26
-38.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 R$13.02
$3.99 PAB 3.99
-34.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 R$5.33
$1.83 PAB 1.83
-41.53%
White Bread (500g)
$1.68 R$8.37
$2.57 PAB 2.57
-34.63%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.23 R$6.15
$3.33 PAB 3.33
-63.06%
Eggs
$2.25 R$11.22
$2.69 PAB 2.69
-16.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.89 R$94.3
$12.33 PAB 12.33
53.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.30 R$21.46
$6.69 PAB 6.69
-35.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.78 R$38.86
$10.40 PAB 10.40
-25.19%
Apples (1kg)
$2.13 R$10.66
$4.16 PAB 4.16
-48.80%
Banana (1kg)
$1.33 R$6.62
$1.84 PAB 1.84
-27.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.23 R$6.16
$4.18 PAB 4.18
-70.57%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.61 R$8.04
$4.08 PAB 4.08
-60.54%
Potato (1kg)
$1.26 R$6.30
$3.50 PAB 3.50
-64.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.07 R$5.36
$4.37 PAB 4.37
-75.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.83 R$4.12
$2.34 PAB 2.34
-64.53%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 R$4.03
$1.75 PAB 1.75
-53.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48 R$12.39
$6.06 PAB 6.06
-59.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.30 R$36.43
$11.72 PAB 11.72
-37.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43 R$7.15
$1.37 PAB 1.37
4.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 R$9.17
$2.84 PAB 2.84
-35.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.04 R$5.17
$0.36 PAB 0.36
188.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.84 R$229
$20.96 PAB 20.96
118.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.39 R$6.95
$2.52 PAB 2.52
-44.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.82 R$4.12
$1.79 PAB 1.79
-54.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.87 R$39.30
$22.01 PAB 22.01
-64.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 R$5.77
$1.25 PAB 1.25
-7.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K R$101.8K
$21.5K PAB 21.5K
-5.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.3K R$146.3K
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
38.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$76.1 R$380
$131 PAB 131
-41.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.11 R$60.5
$27.68 PAB 27.68
-56.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.73 R$104
$48.59 PAB 48.59
-57.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.85 R$129
$46.11 PAB 46.11
-43.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.48 R$152
$35.01 PAB 35.01
-12.94%
Cinema Ticket
$6.78 R$33.85
$8.73 PAB 8.73
-22.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$279 R$1,392
$551 PAB 551
-49.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,084 R$35.4K
$9,560 PAB 9,560
-25.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.84 R$239
$67.6 PAB 67.6
-29.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.99 R$225
$48.03 PAB 48.03
-6.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 R$433
$94.9 PAB 94.9
-8.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.1 R$320
$113 PAB 113
-43.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$220 R$1,098
$1,238 PAB 1,238
-82.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$200 R$997
$873 PAB 873
-77.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$571 R$2,850
$2,197 PAB 2,197
-74.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$442 R$2,207
$1,538 PAB 1,538
-71.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,455 R$7,264
$3,116 PAB 3,116
-53.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,036 R$5,173
$1,725 PAB 1,725
-39.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ilheus
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$601 R$3,000
$934 PAB 934
-35.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11
6.39
72.14%

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

Last update for Ilheus: October 4, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Ilheus
$219
Panama City
$324 48.2% $105
Accommodation & Living
Ilheus
$200
Panama City
$873 337% $673
Clothing & Footwear
Ilheus
$110
Panama City
$146 32.7% $36
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ilheus
$109
Panama City
$207 90.4% $98
Eating Out
Ilheus
$106
Panama City
$202 89.7% $95
Getting Around
Ilheus
$56
Panama City
$34 39% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Ilheus
$39
Panama City
$64 61.3% $24

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $220 in Ilheus 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 55% higher in Panama City, 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 $32.00 in Ilheus versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $219 vs $324 – making Ilheus the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇧🇷 Ilheus
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
02:35 2:35 AM
00:35 12:35 AM
2 h behind Ilheus
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
178,649
1,086,990 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, USD, EUR to BRL – Brazilian Real Converter

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 4.99 BRL (1 BRL = 0.2 USD). 1 EUR = 5.6 BRL (1 BRL = 0.179 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
  • Ilheus Panama City 5,190 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ilheus
  • 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
Ilheus vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ilheus and in Panama City compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $839 in Ilheus, $1,837 in Panama City – roughly 119% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Ilheus compared to Panama City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,258 per month in Ilheus and $2,756 in Panama City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ilheus and Panama City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ilheus, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 48% more in Panama City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $32.00 in Ilheus and $48.00 in Panama City. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Ilheus, where all-in costs run around $839, than in Panama City at $1,837. In Ilheus it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ilheus and Panama City?
It depends on your priorities. Panama City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $839 in Ilheus to $1,837 in Panama City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Ilheus and Panama City?
If budget matters most, go with Ilheus. 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.

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