Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Balneario Camboriu

For one person, living is cheaper in Balneario Camboriu: $963 a month against $1,855 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $10,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Balneario Camboriu
🇧🇷 Brazil
$963
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Balneario Camboriu

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 Balneario Camboriu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $963 in Balneario Camboriu, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Balneario Camboriu $963

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $1,607 in Balneario Camboriu, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Balneario Camboriu $1,607

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $2,251 in Balneario Camboriu, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Balneario Camboriu $2,251

Panama City costs about 93% more than Balneario Camboriu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Panama City sits 37% above the global median, while Balneario Camboriu is 29% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$6.84 R$34.33
70.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$39.90 R$200
20.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$7.74 R$38.81
2.84%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$2.44 R$12.23
72.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$1.19 R$5.98
68.91%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$0.95 R$4.76
64.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$1.98 R$9.92
71.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$2.38 R$11.94
65.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$1.02 R$5.11
81.37%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$1.56 R$7.83
64.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$0.98 R$4.91
255.10%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$2.12 R$10.63
26.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$8.55 R$42.89
47.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$4.58 R$22.98
49.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$7.54 R$37.81
40.32%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$1.80 R$9.05
132.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$1.03 R$5.15
77.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$1.03 R$5.17
307.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$1.40 R$7.01
187.86%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$0.83 R$4.16
319.28%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$0.58 R$2.92
627.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$0.74 R$3.72
225.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$0.76 R$3.83
122.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$3.10 R$15.54
98.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$7.61 R$38.16
48.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$1.10 R$5.52
29.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
$1.89 R$9.48
44.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$0.98 R$4.89
-66.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
$11.99 R$60.2
77.06%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$1.27 R$6.37
98.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$0.83 R$4.16
124.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$5.90 R$29.62
269.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.33 R$6.67
-6.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$24.0K R$120.7K
-11.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$33.6K R$168.7K
-37.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$98.0 R$492
32.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$11.20 R$56.2
151.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$20.84 R$105
131.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
$37.21 R$187
23.03%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
$15.80 R$79.3
121.01%
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$7.43 R$37.26
16.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$286 R$1,436
90.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
$5,247 R$26.3K
84.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$56.2 R$282
18.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$56.8 R$285
-13.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$96.9 R$486
-3.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$82.5 R$414
35.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$452 R$2,269
177.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$322 R$1,615
171.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$1,907 R$9,568
13.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$791 R$3,971
97.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,122 PAB 3,122
$3,624 R$18.2K
-13.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,709 PAB 1,709
$2,452 R$12.3K
-30.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Balneario Camboriu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
$503 R$2,525
82.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
10.68
-40.17%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Balneario Camboriu: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Balneario Camboriu
$322 63.2% $553
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Balneario Camboriu
$176 45.9% $149
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Balneario Camboriu
$130 36.9% $76
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Balneario Camboriu
$130 36.9% $76
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Balneario Camboriu
$132 9% $13
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Balneario Camboriu
$52 17.5% $11
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Balneario Camboriu
$21 38.1% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $452 in Balneario Camboriu. 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 82% higher in Panama City, 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 $40.00 in Balneario Camboriu. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $176 – making Balneario Camboriu the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇧🇷 Balneario Camboriu
🕒 Local time
08:47 8:47 AM
10:47 10:47 AM
2 h ahead of Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
139,155
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BRL, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.893 EUR).

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 5.02 BRL (1 BRL = 0.199 USD). 1 EUR = 5.62 BRL (1 BRL = 0.178 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Balneario Camboriu 5,200 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Balneario Camboriu

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 Balneario Camboriu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Panama City and in Balneario Camboriu compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,855 in Panama City, $963 in Balneario Camboriu – roughly 93% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Panama City compared to Balneario Camboriu?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $1,445 in Balneario Camboriu. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Panama City and Balneario Camboriu?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Balneario Camboriu, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Panama City or Balneario Camboriu?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,855 in Panama City and $963 in Balneario Camboriu. That's a gap of about 93%.
How do commuting costs compare in Panama City and in Balneario Camboriu?
Public transport costs about 77% less in Balneario Camboriu. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Balneario Camboriu, where all-in costs run around $963, than in Panama City at $1,855. In Balneario Camboriu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Panama City and Balneario Camboriu?
It depends on your priorities. Panama City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $963 in Balneario Camboriu to $1,855 in Panama City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Panama City and Balneario Camboriu?
If budget matters most, go with Balneario Camboriu. 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.

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