Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Maricopa, AZ and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,478 in Maricopa, AZ, rent and utilities included – about $7,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Maricopa, AZ
🇺🇸 United States
$2,478
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,478 per month in Maricopa, AZ vs $1,855 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Maricopa, AZ $2,478
  • Panama City $1,855

A couple spends around $3,390 per month in Maricopa, AZ vs $2,804 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Maricopa, AZ $3,390
  • Panama City $2,804

A family of three spends $4,302 per month in Maricopa, AZ vs $3,753 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Maricopa, AZ $4,302
  • Panama City $3,753

Maricopa, AZ costs about 34% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Maricopa, AZ and Panama City sit above the global median – Maricopa, AZ by 83%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.30 $19.30
$11.68 PAB 11.68
65.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.4 $79.4
$47.76 PAB 47.76
66.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.17 $13.17
$8.12 PAB 8.12
62.19%
Cappuccino
$5.28 $5.28
$4.23 PAB 4.23
24.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 $2.71
$1.92 PAB 1.92
41.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.58 PAB 1.58
37.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.13 $7.13
$3.31 PAB 3.31
115.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.40 $7.40
$3.98 PAB 3.98
85.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$1.92 PAB 1.92
-46.87%
White Bread (500g)
$2.97 $2.97
$2.63 PAB 2.63
12.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.06 $5.06
$3.39 PAB 3.39
49.26%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$2.67 PAB 2.67
74.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.97 $12.97
$12.21 PAB 12.21
6.22%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.42 $11.42
$6.91 PAB 6.91
65.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.02 $17.02
$10.58 PAB 10.58
60.87%
Apples (1kg)
$4.65 $4.65
$4.16 PAB 4.16
11.78%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.97 PAB 1.97
-1.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.87 $3.87
$4.06 PAB 4.06
-4.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.16 $4.16
$4.18 PAB 4.18
-0.48%
Potato (1kg)
$2.54 $2.54
$3.47 PAB 3.47
-26.80%
Onion (1kg)
$2.86 $2.86
$4.26 PAB 4.26
-32.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.10 $2.10
$2.44 PAB 2.44
-13.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.69 PAB 1.69
26.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.92 $10.92
$5.83 PAB 5.83
87.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.91 $8.91
$11.43 PAB 11.43
-22.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.38 PAB 1.38
83.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 $3.63
$2.76 PAB 2.76
31.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.10 $2.10
$0.33 PAB 0.33
536.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$20.63 PAB 20.63
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.83 $2.83
$2.55 PAB 2.55
10.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.36 $1.36
$1.78 PAB 1.78
-23.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.44 $35.44
$22.17 PAB 22.17
59.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 $1.10
$1.24 PAB 1.24
-11.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K $36.4K
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
48.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
21.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$147 $147
$131 PAB 131
12.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.4 $62.4
$27.83 PAB 27.83
124.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.2 $66.2
$49.32 PAB 49.32
34.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.09 $47.09
$45.69 PAB 45.69
3.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.10 PAB 34.10
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.89 $12.89
$8.47 PAB 8.47
52.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,110 $1,110
$553 PAB 553
100.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.8K $15.8K
$9,719 PAB 9,719
62.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.32 $32.32
$66.4 PAB 66.4
-51.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.91 $24.91
$47.39 PAB 47.39
-47.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.9 $64.9
$95.7 PAB 95.7
-32.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.7 $74.7
$113 PAB 113
-33.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,612 $1,612
$1,322 PAB 1,322
21.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,313 $1,313
$874 PAB 874
50.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,925 $1,925
$2,153 PAB 2,153
-10.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,646 $1,646
$1,580 PAB 1,580
4.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,115 $3,115
$3,097 PAB 3,097
0.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,569 $2,569
$1,698 PAB 1,698
51.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maricopa, AZ
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,329 $6,329
$914 PAB 914
592.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4
6.39
-37.40%

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

Last update for Maricopa, AZ: October 18, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Maricopa, AZ
$1.3K
Panama City
$874 33.4% $439
Groceries & Markets
Maricopa, AZ
$382
Panama City
$327 14.5% $55
Eating Out
Maricopa, AZ
$327
Panama City
$207 36.7% $120
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maricopa, AZ
$276
Panama City
$208 24.4% $67
Clothing & Footwear
Maricopa, AZ
$89
Panama City
$145 63.7% $56
Sport & Entertainment
Maricopa, AZ
$73
Panama City
$63 14.1% $10
Getting Around
Maricopa, AZ
$18 *
Panama City
$33 85.6% $15

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,612 in Maricopa, AZ versus $1,257 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 591% higher in Maricopa, AZ, 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 $79.0 in Maricopa, AZ versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $382 vs $325 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Maricopa, AZ
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
03:02 3:02 AM
05:02 5:02 AM
2 h ahead of Maricopa, AZ
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
62,000
1,086,990 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Maricopa, AZ Panama City 4,280 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Maricopa, AZ
  • 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
Maricopa, AZ vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Maricopa, AZ or Panama City?
Maricopa, AZ costs about 34% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Maricopa, AZ and in Panama City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,717 per month in Maricopa, AZ and $2,783 in Panama City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Maricopa, AZ or Panama City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Panama City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Maricopa, AZ and in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Maricopa, AZ and $48.00 in Panama City. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Maricopa, AZ or in Panama City?
Groceries cost about 17% more in Maricopa, AZ, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Maricopa, AZ or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Maricopa, AZ at $2,478. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Maricopa, AZ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Maricopa, AZ or Panama City?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Panama City costs $1,855 versus $2,478 in Maricopa, AZ. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Maricopa, AZ or to Panama City?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Maricopa, AZ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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