Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Bugaba Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Bugaba

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,814 per month in Panama City vs $656 in Bugaba, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,728 per month in Panama City vs $1,023 in Bugaba, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,643 per month in Panama City vs $1,389 in Bugaba, rent included.

Panama City costs about 176% more than Bugaba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Panama City sits 36% above the global median, while Bugaba is 51% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.13 PAB 10.13

$3.08 PAB 3.08

228.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.65 PAB 49.65

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.06 PAB 8.06

$4.93 PAB 4.93

63.49%

Cappuccino

$3.60 PAB 3.60

$1.24 PAB 1.24

190.32%

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

$1.72 PAB 1.72

$0.97 PAB 0.97

77.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 PAB 1.36

$0.49 PAB 0.49

177.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 PAB 2.95

$1.46 PAB 1.46

102.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 PAB 4.03

$2.05 PAB 2.05

96.59%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 PAB 1.81

$1.58 PAB 1.58

14.56%

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 PAB 2.46

$2.04 PAB 2.04

20.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

$1.54 PAB 1.54

56.49%

Eggs

$2.93 PAB 2.93

$2.69 PAB 2.69

8.92%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.38 PAB 11.38

$2.91 PAB 2.91

291.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.06 PAB 7.06

$3.22 PAB 3.22

119.25%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.85 PAB 9.85

$4.11 PAB 4.11

139.66%

Apples (1kg)

$3.37 PAB 3.37

$1.98 PAB 1.98

70.20%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 PAB 1.51

$1.46 PAB 1.46

3.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.86 PAB 2.86

$1.22 PAB 1.22

134.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.12 PAB 3.12

$1.01 PAB 1.01

208.91%

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 PAB 2.23

$1.23 PAB 1.23

81.30%

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

$1.48 PAB 1.48

86.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 PAB 2.18

$0.52 PAB 0.52

319.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

$1.22 PAB 1.22

25.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.09 PAB 6.09

$10.09 PAB 10.09

-39.64%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.78 PAB 10.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$1.52 PAB 1.52

-15.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 PAB 2.36

$2.03 PAB 2.03

16.26%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.44 PAB 0.44

$0.47 PAB 0.47

-6.38%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.10 PAB 22.10

$30.08 PAB 30.08

-26.53%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.44 PAB 2.44

$1.51 PAB 1.51

61.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

$1.94 PAB 1.94

-8.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.61 PAB 21.61

$20.13 PAB 20.13

7.35%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 PAB 0.95

$1.05 PAB 1.05

-9.52%

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

$19.6K PAB 19.6K

$24.6K PAB 24.6K

-20.36%

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

$20.6K PAB 20.6K

$18.3K PAB 18.3K

12.24%

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

$122 PAB 122

$75.9 PAB 75.9

60.84%

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

$29.88 PAB 29.88

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.49 PAB 49.49

$40.38 PAB 40.38

22.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.36 PAB 45.36

$35.25 PAB 35.25

28.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.73 PAB 32.73

$50.1 PAB 50.1

-34.64%

Cinema Ticket

$7.85 PAB 7.85

$3.89 PAB 3.89

101.80%

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

$484 PAB 484

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K PAB 15.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.6 PAB 51.6

$55.0 PAB 55.0

-6.20%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.50 PAB 46.50

$39.40 PAB 39.40

18.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.6 PAB 88.6

$59.0 PAB 59.0

50.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 PAB 121

$50.8 PAB 50.8

138.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,158 PAB 1,158

$201 PAB 201

475.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$894 PAB 894

$153 PAB 153

485.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,037 PAB 2,037

$650 PAB 650

213.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,578 PAB 1,578

$350 PAB 350

350.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,124 PAB 3,124

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,693 PAB 1,693

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$926 PAB 926

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

107.67%

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

Last update for Panama City: July 12, 2026

Last update for Bugaba: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,158 in Panama City versus $201 in Bugaba. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

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 Bugaba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City costs about 176% more than Bugaba, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,720 per month in Panama City and $985 in Bugaba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bugaba, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,814 in Panama City and $656 in Bugaba. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 87% more in Panama City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bugaba, where all-in costs run around $656, than in Panama City at $1,814. In Bugaba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bugaba costs $656 versus $1,814 in Panama City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bugaba. 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.