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 $1,763 per month in Panama City vs $663 in Bugaba, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,717 per month in Panama City vs $1,039 in Bugaba, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,671 per month in Panama City vs $1,416 in Bugaba, rent included.

Panama City costs about 166% more than Bugaba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Panama City sits 32% above the global median, while Bugaba is 51% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.08 PAB 10.08

$2.98 PAB 2.98

238.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.4 PAB 50.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.80 PAB 7.80

$4.85 PAB 4.85

60.82%

Cappuccino

$3.69 PAB 3.69

$1.28 PAB 1.28

188.28%

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

$1.70 PAB 1.70

$0.99 PAB 0.99

71.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 PAB 1.35

$0.51 PAB 0.51

164.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.06 PAB 3.06

$1.51 PAB 1.51

102.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 PAB 3.91

$2.03 PAB 2.03

92.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 PAB 1.82

$1.61 PAB 1.61

13.04%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$2.04 PAB 2.04

25.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.49 PAB 2.49

$1.51 PAB 1.51

64.90%

Eggs

$2.96 PAB 2.96

$2.71 PAB 2.71

9.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.25 PAB 11.25

$2.93 PAB 2.93

283.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.22 PAB 7.22

$3.27 PAB 3.27

120.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.19 PAB 10.19

$3.88 PAB 3.88

162.63%

Apples (1kg)

$3.43 PAB 3.43

$1.97 PAB 1.97

74.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 PAB 1.50

$1.49 PAB 1.49

0.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.85 PAB 2.85

$1.27 PAB 1.27

124.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.19 PAB 3.19

$1.02 PAB 1.02

212.75%

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 PAB 2.21

$1.27 PAB 1.27

74.02%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 PAB 2.77

$1.48 PAB 1.48

87.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 PAB 2.25

$0.52 PAB 0.52

332.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.58 PAB 1.58

$1.22 PAB 1.22

29.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.91 PAB 5.91

$9.80 PAB 9.80

-39.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.11 PAB 11.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$1.46 PAB 1.46

-12.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 PAB 2.32

$2.05 PAB 2.05

13.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.40 PAB 0.40

$0.43 PAB 0.43

-6.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.08 PAB 22.08

$30.50 PAB 30.50

-27.61%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 PAB 2.57

$1.49 PAB 1.49

72.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 PAB 1.78

$2.02 PAB 2.02

-11.88%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.73 PAB 21.73

$19.78 PAB 19.78

9.86%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 PAB 0.93

$1.05 PAB 1.05

-11.43%

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

$19.7K PAB 19.7K

$25.3K PAB 25.3K

-22.17%

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

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

$18.2K PAB 18.2K

14.98%

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

$121 PAB 121

$76.4 PAB 76.4

58.96%

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

$29.44 PAB 29.44

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.27 PAB 49.27

$39.42 PAB 39.42

24.99%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.92 PAB 45.92

$34.72 PAB 34.72

32.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.32 PAB 32.32

$50.4 PAB 50.4

-35.81%

Cinema Ticket

$8.11 PAB 8.11

$3.95 PAB 3.95

105.32%

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)

$51.2 PAB 51.2

$54.4 PAB 54.4

-5.99%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.98 PAB 45.98

$39.60 PAB 39.60

16.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.0 PAB 89.0

$61.1 PAB 61.1

45.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 PAB 122

$49.25 PAB 49.25

148.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,157 PAB 1,157

$201 PAB 201

474.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$893 PAB 893

$151 PAB 151

492.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,996 PAB 1,996

$655 PAB 655

205.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,580 PAB 1,580

$349 PAB 349

352.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,069 PAB 3,069

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,730 PAB 1,730

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$962 PAB 962

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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Bugaba: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,157 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 166% 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 $2,644 per month in Panama City and $994 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 $1,763 in Panama City and $663 in Bugaba. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 90% 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 $663, than in Panama City at $1,763. 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 $663 versus $1,763 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.