Cost of Living Comparison Between Las Cumbres and Panama City Cost of Living Comparison Between Las Cumbres and Panama City

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.83 PAB 9.83

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.51 PAB 45.51

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.16 PAB 8.16

Cappuccino

$4.09 PAB 4.09

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

$1.94 PAB 1.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 PAB 1.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.97 PAB 2.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.06 PAB 4.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

White Bread (500g)

$2.38 PAB 2.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.01 PAB 3.01

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.41 PAB 12.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.39 PAB 6.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.56 PAB 9.56

Apples (1kg)

$4.10 PAB 4.10

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 PAB 1.57

Oranges (1kg)

$3.19 PAB 3.19

Tomato (1kg)

$4.08 PAB 4.08

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 PAB 2.82

Onion (1kg)

$4.05 PAB 4.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.19 PAB 2.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 PAB 1.76

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 PAB 6.14

Wine (Bottle)

$10.91 PAB 10.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 PAB 1.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 PAB 2.57

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.77 PAB 20.77

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 PAB 2.45

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.77 PAB 21.77

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 PAB 1.16

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

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

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

$20.7K PAB 20.7K

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

$133 PAB 133

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

$28.86 PAB 28.86

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.92 PAB 47.92

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.07 PAB 45.07

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.31 PAB 31.31

Cinema Ticket

$8.12 PAB 8.12

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

$520 PAB 520

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,280 PAB 9,280

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.4 PAB 57.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.63 PAB 41.63

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.2 PAB 93.2

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 PAB 110

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,236 PAB 1,236

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$903 PAB 903

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,985 PAB 1,985

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,449 PAB 1,449

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,038 PAB 3,038

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,685 PAB 1,685

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$939 PAB 939

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.33

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

Last update for Las Cumbres: August 17, 2026

Last update for Panama City: August 16, 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

Las Cumbres vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Las Cumbres – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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 Las Cumbres. 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.