Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Barueri

For one person, living is cheaper in Barueri: $1,125 a month against $1,855 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $8,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Barueri
🇧🇷 Brazil
$1,125
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Barueri

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

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $1,125 in Barueri, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Barueri $1,125

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $1,825 in Barueri, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Barueri $1,825

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $2,526 in Barueri, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Barueri $2,526

Panama City costs about 65% more than Barueri, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Panama City sits 37% above the global median, while Barueri is 17% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$8.17 R$41.41
42.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$43.35 R$220
10.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$8.87 R$44.98
-10.26%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$2.50 R$12.67
68.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$1.57 R$7.94
28.03%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$1.05 R$5.34
48.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$2.79 R$14.15
21.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$4.35 R$22.06
-9.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$1.24 R$6.29
49.19%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$2.09 R$10.60
22.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$1.34 R$6.78
159.70%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$2.68 R$13.58
0.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$12.75 R$64.6
-1.41%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$5.39 R$27.34
26.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$10.85 R$55.0
-2.49%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$2.80 R$14.18
49.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$1.87 R$9.47
-2.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$1.58 R$8.00
165.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$2.04 R$10.36
97.55%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$1.42 R$7.22
145.07%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$1.30 R$6.60
224.62%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$1.03 R$5.22
133.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$0.97 R$4.90
74.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$2.76 R$13.99
122.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$8.98 R$45.54
25.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$1.67 R$8.45
-14.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
$2.57 R$13.04
6.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.19 R$6.06
-72.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
$55.6 R$282
-61.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$1.81 R$9.18
39.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$1.03 R$5.20
80.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$10.14 R$51.4
114.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.32 R$6.67
-5.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$24.4K R$123.5K
-12.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$34.4K R$174.4K
-38.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$72.0 R$365
80.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$14.56 R$73.8
93.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$22.16 R$112
117.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
$31.47 R$160
45.47%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
$20.40 R$103
71.18%
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$9.61 R$48.70
-9.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$445 R$2,256
22.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
$7,750 R$39.3K
25.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$55.8 R$283
19.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$58.6 R$297
-16.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$95.2 R$483
-1.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$86.4 R$438
29.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$516 R$2,614
143.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$367 R$1,859
138.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$1,034 R$5,240
108.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$763 R$3,870
104.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,122 PAB 3,122
$1,651 R$8,371
89.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,709 PAB 1,709
$1,620 R$8,211
5.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Barueri
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
$615 R$3,118
48.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
11.68
-45.29%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Barueri: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Barueri
$367 58.1% $508
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Barueri
$243 25.3% $82
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Barueri
$155 25% $52
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Barueri
$109 47.3% $97
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Barueri
$133 7.9% $11
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Barueri
$51 19.7% $12
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Barueri
$67 95.7% $33

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $516 in Barueri. 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 49% 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 $43.00 in Barueri. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $243 – making Barueri the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇧🇷 Barueri
🕒 Local time
09:07 9:07 AM
11:07 11:07 AM
2 h ahead of Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
316,473
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BRL, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Barueri 5,060 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Barueri

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 Barueri: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barueri cheaper than Panama City?
Yes – Panama City is pricier by about 65%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $1,687 in Barueri. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Barueri, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Panama City and in Barueri?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,855 in Panama City and $1,125 in Barueri. That's a gap of about 65%.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 162% less in Barueri. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Barueri?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Barueri, where all-in costs run around $1,125, than in Panama City at $1,855. In Barueri it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Panama City or Barueri more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Barueri – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Barueri. 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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