Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City, FL and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City, FL and Seattle, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,593 in Panama City, FL versus $3,886 in Seattle, WA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,574 in Panama City, FL versus $5,699 in Seattle, WA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,555 in Panama City, FL versus $7,513 in Seattle, WA.

Living in Panama City, FL costs roughly 33% less than in Seattle, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Panama City, FL 88% above, Seattle, WA 182% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66 $17.66
$25.37 $25.37
-30.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.6 $80.6
$101 $101
-20.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.96 $11.96
$14.80 $14.80
-19.19%
Cappuccino
$4.96 $4.96
$6.63 $6.63
-25.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$3.08 $3.08
-14.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.96 $2.96
-31.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.93 $4.93
$7.94 $7.94
-37.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.90 $6.90
$7.88 $7.88
-12.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.22 $1.22
-23.77%
White Bread (500g)
$3.63 $3.63
$5.14 $5.14
-29.38%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.93 $1.93
$6.16 $6.16
-68.67%
Eggs
$2.90 $2.90
$5.08 $5.08
-42.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.55 $11.55
$21.31 $21.31
-45.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.99 $9.99
$18.42 $18.42
-45.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.86 $13.86
$23.04 $23.04
-39.84%
Apples (1kg)
$4.17 $4.17
$6.04 $6.04
-30.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 $1.56
$1.88 $1.88
-17.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.32 $4.32
$5.20 $5.20
-16.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$6.37 $6.37
-29.83%
Potato (1kg)
$3.80 $3.80
$3.78 $3.78
0.53%
Onion (1kg)
$3.55 $3.55
$3.30 $3.30
7.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.87 $2.87
-40.77%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$2.66 $2.66
-15.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.14 $9.14
$13.91 $13.91
-34.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.98 $11.98
$15.05 $15.05
-20.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$4.17 $4.17
-59.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$5.64 $5.64
-65.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.53 $1.53
$2.97 $2.97
-48.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$107 $107
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.57 $2.57
-1.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.65 $1.65
-3.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$51.0 $51.0
$29.49 $29.49
72.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.46 $1.46
-40.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.4K $37.4K
$36.0K $36.0K
3.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$25.4K $25.4K
-0.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$174 $174
$306 $306
-43.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.46 $43.46
$70.2 $70.2
-38.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.0 $59.0
$87.4 $87.4
-32.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.44 $39.44
$79.9 $79.9
-50.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.74 $34.74
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.64 $14.64
$17.85 $17.85
-17.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$972 $972
$3,018 $3,018
-67.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.9K $13.9K
$31.1K $31.1K
-55.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.2 $60.2
$76.6 $76.6
-21.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.26 $35.26
$53.8 $53.8
-34.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.2 $99.2
$126 $126
-21.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 $107
$162 $162
-34.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,673 $1,673
$2,456 $2,456
-31.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,498 $1,498
$1,981 $1,981
-24.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,746 $2,746
$4,881 $4,881
-43.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,878 $1,878
$3,625 $3,625
-48.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,709 $3,709
$7,376 $7,376
-49.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,688 $3,688
$5,007 $5,007
-26.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City, FL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,992 $3,992
$6,165 $6,165
-35.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.1
6.45
-5.43%

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

Last update for Panama City, FL: September 7, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,673 in Panama City, FL and $2,456 in Seattle, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Seattle, WA pays 54% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $81.0 in Panama City, FL vs $101 in Seattle, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $349 vs $551 per month, with Panama City, FL cheaper across the board.

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
Panama City, FL vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Panama City, FL or Seattle, WA?
Panama City, FL wins on cost – living expenses run 50% lower than in Seattle, WA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Panama City, FL the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Panama City, FL or in Seattle, WA?
On paper, salaries run 54% lower in Seattle, WA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Panama City, FL compared to Seattle, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,673 in Panama City, FL versus $2,456 in Seattle, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Panama City, FL or in Seattle, WA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 58% higher in Seattle, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Panama City, FL compared to Seattle, WA?
All in, you'll spend $2,593 per month in Panama City, FL versus $3,886 in Seattle, WA – a 50% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Panama City, FL or in Seattle, WA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Panama City, FL is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Panama City, FL or Seattle, WA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Panama City, FL delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,593 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Panama City, FL hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Panama City, FL gentler on the wallet – expenses run 50% less than in Seattle, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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