Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Auburn, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $3,212 in Auburn, CA, rent and utilities included – about $16,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

90

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index
156

Cost of Living Index in Auburn, CA
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Auburn, CA Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,855

/mo nomad

Auburn, CA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,212

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Auburn, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Panama City and in Auburn, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $3,212 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Panama City $1,855
Auburn, CA $3,212

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $4,620 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Panama City $2,804
Auburn, CA $4,620

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $6,027 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Panama City $3,753
Auburn, CA $6,027

Panama City is about 42% cheaper than Auburn, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Panama City and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Auburn, CA by 138%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.63 PAB 11.63

$25.25 $25.25

-53.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.92 PAB 47.92

$90.7 $90.7

-47.18%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$11.92 $11.92

-33.22%

Cappuccino

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$4.91 $4.91

-14.05%

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

$2.01 PAB 2.01

$2.54 $2.54

-20.87%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 PAB 1.56

$2.37 $2.37

-34.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

$4.86 $4.86

-30.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 PAB 3.94

$7.11 $7.11

-44.59%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

$1.23 $1.23

50.41%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$4.52 $4.52

-43.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$8.21 $8.21

-57.61%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

$3.17 $3.17

-15.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.57 PAB 12.57

$25.79 $25.79

-51.26%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 PAB 6.83

$18.58 $18.58

-63.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.58 PAB 10.58

$23.00 $23.00

-54.00%

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

$7.72 $7.72

-45.85%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.70 $1.70

7.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 PAB 4.20

$8.51 $8.51

-50.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 PAB 4.03

$6.78 $6.78

-40.56%

Potato (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$5.10 $5.10

-31.76%

Onion (1kg)

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$3.06 $3.06

37.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

$2.02 $2.02

19.31%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 PAB 1.69

$2.27 $2.27

-25.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 PAB 6.14

$11.66 $11.66

-47.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.30 PAB 11.30

$15.24 $15.24

-25.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 PAB 1.42

$1.46 $1.46

-2.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 PAB 2.73

$2.02 $2.02

35.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

$3.40 $3.40

-90.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.23 PAB 21.23

$88.2 $88.2

-75.93%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

$3.26 $3.26

-22.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 PAB 1.86

$2.43 $2.43

-23.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.78 PAB 21.78

$40.49 $40.49

-46.21%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 PAB 1.25

$1.22 $1.22

2.46%

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

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

$32.8K $32.8K

-35.31%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

$24.5K $24.5K

-14.19%

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

$130 PAB 130

$189 $189

-31.28%

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

$28.13 PAB 28.13

$49.79 $49.79

-43.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.21 PAB 48.21

$66.7 $66.7

-27.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.78 PAB 45.78

$64.4 $64.4

-28.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.92 PAB 34.92

Cinema Ticket

$8.67 PAB 8.67

$15.10 $15.10

-42.58%

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

$544 PAB 544

$2,686 $2,686

-79.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,697 PAB 9,697

$5,939 $5,939

63.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.8 PAB 66.8

$68.7 $68.7

-2.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.14 PAB 49.14

$46.74 $46.74

5.13%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.9 PAB 93.9

$110 $110

-14.99%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 PAB 112

$199 $199

-43.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,257 PAB 1,257

$1,823 $1,823

-31.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$875 PAB 875

$1,591 $1,591

-45.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,155 PAB 2,155

$2,784 $2,784

-22.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,564 PAB 1,564

$2,344 $2,344

-33.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,122 PAB 3,122

$3,277 $3,277

-4.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,709 PAB 1,709

$2,675 $2,675

-36.09%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$916 PAB 916

$3,926 $3,926

-76.67%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

6.77

-5.61%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$875 47.2%

Auburn, CA

$1.6K 49.5% 81.9% $716

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$325 17.5%

Auburn, CA

$558 17.4% 71.5% $232

Eating Out

Panama City

$207 11.1%

Auburn, CA

$355 11% 71.6% $148

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$206 11.1%

Auburn, CA

$305 9.5% 48.1% $99

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$145 7.8%

Auburn, CA

$191 6% 32.2% $47

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$63 3.4%

Auburn, CA

$95 3% 50% $32

Getting Around

Panama City

$34 1.9%

Auburn, CA

$117 3.7% 241% $83

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $1,823 in Auburn, CA. 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 329% higher in Auburn, CA, 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 $48.00 in Panama City versus $91.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $558 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇺🇸 Auburn, CA

🕒 Local time

12:55 12:55 PM

10:55 10:55 AM

2 h behind Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

76,143

💱 Currency

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.89 EUR

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇦 Panamanian Balboa (B/.)

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

USD to PAB in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Panama City Auburn, CA 5,300 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Auburn, CA

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

Panama City vs Auburn, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,855 in Panama City, $3,212 in Auburn, CA – roughly 73% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $4,818 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $544 per month in Panama City and $2,686 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 71% more in Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Auburn, CA at $3,212. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Auburn, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Panama City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,855 in Panama City to $3,212 in Auburn, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Auburn, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.