Cost of Living Comparison Between La Chorrera and Panama City Cost of Living Comparison Between La Chorrera and Panama City

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $171 per month in La Chorrera vs $1,814 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $298 per month in La Chorrera vs $2,693 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $425 per month in La Chorrera vs $3,572 in Panama City, rent included.

La Chorrera is about 91% cheaper than Panama City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

La Chorrera sits 87% below the global median, while Panama City is 35% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.20 PAB 10.20

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.54 PAB 49.54

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.80 PAB 7.80

Cappuccino

$3.56 PAB 3.56

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

$1.73 PAB 1.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.41 PAB 1.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 PAB 2.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PAB 3.99

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 PAB 1.76

$1.84 PAB 1.84

-4.35%

White Bread (500g)

$2.47 PAB 2.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.19 PAB 3.19

$2.38 PAB 2.38

34.03%

Eggs

$2.86 PAB 2.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.40 PAB 11.40

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.00 PAB 7.00

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.05 PAB 10.05

Apples (1kg)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

Oranges (1kg)

$2.89 PAB 2.89

Tomato (1kg)

$3.17 PAB 3.17

Potato (1kg)

$2.31 PAB 2.31

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 PAB 2.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.17 PAB 2.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.54 PAB 1.54

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.17 PAB 6.17

Wine (Bottle)

$11.14 PAB 11.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 PAB 1.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 PAB 2.43

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.40 PAB 0.40

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.08 PAB 22.08

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.55 PAB 2.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 PAB 1.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.60 PAB 21.60

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 PAB 0.89

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

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

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

$20.4K PAB 20.4K

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

$121 PAB 121

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

$30.22 PAB 30.22

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.45 PAB 49.45

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.38 PAB 45.38

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.57 PAB 32.57

Cinema Ticket

$7.89 PAB 7.89

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

$469 PAB 469

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.9K PAB 15.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.8 PAB 50.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.02 PAB 47.02

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.5 PAB 89.5

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 PAB 122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,133 PAB 1,133

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$140 PAB 140

$874 PAB 874

-84.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,002 PAB 2,002

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$348 PAB 348

$1,558 PAB 1,558

-77.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,087 PAB 3,087

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,710 PAB 1,710

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$964 PAB 964

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

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

Last update for La Chorrera: April 27, 2026

Last update for Panama City: April 28, 2026

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

La Chorrera vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City costs about 959% more than La Chorrera, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $257 per month in La Chorrera and $2,721 in Panama City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $171 in La Chorrera and $1,814 in Panama City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 852% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in La Chorrera, where all-in costs run around $171, than in Panama City at $1,814. In La Chorrera it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. La Chorrera costs $171 versus $1,814 in Panama City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 La Chorrera. 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.