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 $169 per month in La Chorrera vs $1,827 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $292 per month in La Chorrera vs $2,748 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $415 per month in La Chorrera vs $3,670 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 36% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.14 PAB 10.14

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.97 PAB 49.97

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 PAB 8.11

Cappuccino

$3.58 PAB 3.58

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

$1.66 PAB 1.66

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 PAB 1.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 PAB 2.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 PAB 4.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 PAB 1.79

$1.83 PAB 1.83

-2.19%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.21 PAB 3.21

$2.38 PAB 2.38

34.87%

Eggs

$2.87 PAB 2.87

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 PAB 11.36

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.09 PAB 7.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.82 PAB 9.82

Apples (1kg)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

Oranges (1kg)

$2.77 PAB 2.77

Tomato (1kg)

$3.24 PAB 3.24

Potato (1kg)

$2.31 PAB 2.31

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 PAB 2.22

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.88 PAB 5.88

Wine (Bottle)

$11.14 PAB 11.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 PAB 1.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 PAB 2.44

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PAB 0.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.81 PAB 22.81

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.12 PAB 22.12

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 PAB 0.90

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

$19.6K PAB 19.6K

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

$20.3K PAB 20.3K

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

$124 PAB 124

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

$29.39 PAB 29.39

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.62 PAB 48.62

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.88 PAB 44.88

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.90 PAB 31.90

Cinema Ticket

$7.96 PAB 7.96

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

$469 PAB 469

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K PAB 15.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.1 PAB 52.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.54 PAB 46.54

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 PAB 88.3

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 PAB 123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,124 PAB 1,124

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$142 PAB 142

$900 PAB 900

-84.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,036 PAB 2,036

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$357 PAB 357

$1,547 PAB 1,547

-76.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,087 PAB 3,087

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,727 PAB 1,727

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$952 PAB 952

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: June 8, 2026

Last update for Panama City: June 9, 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 978% 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 $254 per month in La Chorrera and $2,740 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 $169 in La Chorrera and $1,827 in Panama City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 842% 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 $169, than in Panama City at $1,827. 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 $169 versus $1,827 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.