Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Beverly Hills, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $3,388 in Beverly Hills, CA, rent and utilities included – about $18,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Beverly Hills, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,388
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,855 in Panama City versus $3,388 in Beverly Hills, CA.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Beverly Hills, CA $3,388

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,804 in Panama City versus $6,180 in Beverly Hills, CA.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Beverly Hills, CA $6,180

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,753 in Panama City versus $8,972 in Beverly Hills, CA.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Beverly Hills, CA $8,972

Living in Panama City costs roughly 45% less than in Beverly Hills, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Panama City 37% above, Beverly Hills, CA 151% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$26.67 $26.67
-56.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$119 $119
-59.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$15.26 $15.26
-47.84%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$6.06 $6.06
-30.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$3.64 $3.64
-44.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$2.77 $2.77
-43.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$7.83 $7.83
-56.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$9.90 $9.90
-60.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$1.09 $1.09
69.72%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$4.89 $4.89
-47.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$4.73 $4.73
-26.43%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$5.62 $5.62
-52.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$11.34 $11.34
10.85%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$15.89 $15.89
-57.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$19.49 $19.49
-45.72%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$5.18 $5.18
-19.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$2.33 $2.33
-21.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$4.65 $4.65
-9.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$5.43 $5.43
-25.78%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$3.24 $3.24
7.41%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$2.81 $2.81
50.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$2.00 $2.00
20.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$2.44 $2.44
-30.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$13.19 $13.19
-53.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$14.84 $14.84
-23.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$2.94 $2.94
-51.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
$2.77 $2.77
-1.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$3.13 $3.13
-19.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$1.83 $1.83
1.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$32.15 $32.15
-32.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.52 $1.52
-17.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$36.4K $36.4K
-41.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$27.1K $27.1K
-22.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$127 $127
2.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$78.1 $78.1
-63.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$76.8 $76.8
-37.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$15.23 $15.23
-43.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$1,699 $1,699
-67.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
$32.0K $32.0K
-69.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$75.7 $75.7
-11.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$50.7 $50.7
-2.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$99.2 $99.2
-5.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$217 $217
-48.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$2,354 $2,354
-46.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$1,986 $1,986
-55.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$5,488 $5,488
-60.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$5,586 $5,586
-72.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,122 PAB 3,122
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,709 PAB 1,709
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Beverly Hills, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.86
-6.85%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Beverly Hills, CA: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Beverly Hills, CA
$2K 127% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Beverly Hills, CA
$461 41.9% $136
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Beverly Hills, CA
$416 102% $210
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Beverly Hills, CA
$282 36.8% $76
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Beverly Hills, CA
$199 37.9% $55
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Beverly Hills, CA
$30 * 51.8% $33
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Beverly Hills, CA
$12 * 64.4% $22

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

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,257 in Panama City and $2,354 in Beverly Hills, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $48.00 in Panama City vs $119 in Beverly Hills, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $325 vs $461 per month, with Panama City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇺🇸 Beverly Hills, CA
🕒 Local time
20:32 8:32 PM
18:32 6:32 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
34,979
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Beverly Hills, CA 4,850 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Beverly Hills, 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 Beverly Hills, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beverly Hills, CA cheaper than Panama City?
Panama City is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 83% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,783 in Panama City and $5,082 in Beverly Hills, CA to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Panama City and Beverly Hills, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,257 in Panama City versus $2,354 in Beverly Hills, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Panama City and in Beverly Hills, CA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 42% higher in Beverly Hills, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Panama City and in Beverly Hills, CA?
All in, you'll spend $1,855 per month in Panama City versus $3,388 in Beverly Hills, CA – a 83% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Beverly Hills, CA?
At $1,855 in Panama City versus $3,388 in Beverly Hills, CA, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Panama City but tight or insufficient in Beverly Hills, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Panama City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Panama City or Beverly Hills, CA more family-friendly?
For families, Panama City is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Beverly Hills, CA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Panama City or Beverly Hills, CA?
Safety-wise, Panama City and Beverly Hills, CA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Panama City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 83% less than in Beverly Hills, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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