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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $461 per month in Las Tablas vs $1,874 in Panama City, rent included.

A couple spends around $676 per month in Las Tablas vs $2,736 in Panama City, rent included.

A family of three spends $892 per month in Las Tablas vs $3,597 in Panama City, rent included.

Las Tablas is about 75% cheaper than Panama City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Las Tablas sits 66% below the global median, while Panama City is 37% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.15 PAB 10.15

$9.88 PAB 9.88

2.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.53 PAB 30.53

$48.10 PAB 48.10

-36.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.38 PAB 8.38

$8.19 PAB 8.19

2.32%

Cappuccino

$4.07 PAB 4.07

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

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$2.04 PAB 2.04

-51.96%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$1.53 PAB 1.53

-33.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.29 PAB 1.29

$3.36 PAB 3.36

-61.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 PAB 2.73

$4.08 PAB 4.08

-33.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.96 PAB 1.96

$2.31 PAB 2.31

-15.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.21 PAB 3.21

Eggs

$2.03 PAB 2.03

$2.76 PAB 2.76

-26.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.66 PAB 12.66

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.33 PAB 6.33

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.38 PAB 10.38

Apples (1kg)

$4.30 PAB 4.30

$4.32 PAB 4.32

-0.46%

Banana (1kg)

$1.26 PAB 1.26

$1.69 PAB 1.69

-25.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.83 PAB 3.83

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 PAB 1.57

$4.01 PAB 4.01

-60.85%

Potato (1kg)

$3.16 PAB 3.16

Onion (1kg)

$4.44 PAB 4.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.23 PAB 1.23

$2.27 PAB 2.27

-45.81%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$1.78 PAB 1.78

-44.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.18 PAB 6.18

Wine (Bottle)

$5.62 PAB 5.62

$10.80 PAB 10.80

-47.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 PAB 1.27

$1.36 PAB 1.36

-6.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 PAB 1.79

$2.84 PAB 2.84

-36.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 PAB 0.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.77 PAB 20.77

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.03 PAB 1.03

$2.51 PAB 2.51

-58.96%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.17 PAB 22.17

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 PAB 0.93

$1.20 PAB 1.20

-22.50%

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

$21.3K PAB 21.3K

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

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

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

$147 PAB 147

$132 PAB 132

11.66%

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

$23.23 PAB 23.23

$28.46 PAB 28.46

-18.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.93 PAB 36.93

$47.82 PAB 47.82

-22.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.90 PAB 19.90

$47.29 PAB 47.29

-57.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$33.03 PAB 33.03

Cinema Ticket

$8.19 PAB 8.19

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

$549 PAB 549

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,597 PAB 9,597

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.2 PAB 59.2

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.56 PAB 46.56

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.4 PAB 93.4

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 PAB 117

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,335 PAB 1,335

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$913 PAB 913

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,141 PAB 2,141

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,489 PAB 1,489

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,140 PAB 3,140

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,703 PAB 1,703

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$921 PAB 921

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

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

Last update for Las Tablas: September 12, 2026

Last update for Panama City: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $31.00 in Las Tablas versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $103 vs $316 – making Las Tablas the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Tablas vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City costs about 307% more than Las Tablas, 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 $691 per month in Las Tablas and $2,811 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 $461 in Las Tablas and $1,874 in Panama City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 208% 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 Las Tablas, where all-in costs run around $461, than in Panama City at $1,874. In Las Tablas 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. Las Tablas costs $461 versus $1,874 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 Las Tablas. 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.