Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Campina Grande

For one person, living is cheaper in Campina Grande: $756 a month against $1,855 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $13,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Campina Grande
🇧🇷 Brazil
$756
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Campina Grande

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,855 in Panama City versus $756 in Campina Grande.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Campina Grande $756

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,804 in Panama City versus $1,175 in Campina Grande.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Campina Grande $1,175

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,753 in Panama City versus $1,593 in Campina Grande.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Campina Grande $1,593

Living in Panama City is roughly 145% more expensive than in Campina Grande, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Panama City is 37% above, Campina Grande is 44% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$4.38 R$22.18
165.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$30.43 R$154
57.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$6.89 R$34.93
15.53%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$1.03 R$5.21
309.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$1.05 R$5.32
91.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$0.59 R$2.97
164.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$1.65 R$8.34
105.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$2.20 R$11.14
79.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$1.22 R$6.20
51.64%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$1.64 R$8.31
56.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$1.12 R$5.66
210.71%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$1.91 R$9.70
40.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$6.93 R$35.15
81.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$4.10 R$20.78
66.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$8.01 R$40.59
32.08%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$1.38 R$6.99
202.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$1.41 R$7.13
29.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$0.75 R$3.80
460.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$1.22 R$6.18
230.33%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$1.26 R$6.37
176.19%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$1.09 R$5.52
287.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$0.49 R$2.48
391.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$0.75 R$3.83
125.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$1.84 R$9.34
233.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$8.04 R$40.76
40.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$1.14 R$5.80
24.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
$1.59 R$8.05
71.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.01 R$5.13
-67.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
$40.02 R$203
-46.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$0.93 R$4.70
170.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$0.73 R$3.68
154.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$3.52 R$17.84
518.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.27 R$6.46
-1.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$19.8K R$100.5K
7.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$33.1K R$167.7K
-36.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$116 R$586
12.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$10.17 R$51.5
176.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$17.52 R$88.8
175.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
$19.43 R$98.5
135.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
$30.51 R$155
14.45%
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$4.95 R$25.11
75.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$86.4 R$438
530.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
$11.8K R$59.7K
-17.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$37.13 R$188
79.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$27.89 R$141
76.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$72.7 R$369
29.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$42.78 R$217
160.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Campina Grande
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$263 R$1,334
377.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$194 R$984
350.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$617 R$3,128
249.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$353 R$1,791
342.60%
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
Campina Grande
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
$394 R$1,995
132.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
5
27.80%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Campina Grande: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Campina Grande
$194 77.8% $681
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Campina Grande
$172 47% $153
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Campina Grande
$87 57.8% $120
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Campina Grande
$143 30.5% $63
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Campina Grande
$81 43.8% $63
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Campina Grande
$29 53.5% $34
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Campina Grande
$49 41.3% $14

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,257 in Panama City and $263 in Campina Grande. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Panama City pays 133% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $48.00 in Panama City vs $30.00 in Campina Grande for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $325 vs $172 per month, with Campina Grande cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇧🇷 Campina Grande
🕒 Local time
12:55 12:55 PM
14:55 2:55 PM
2 h ahead of Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
419,379
💱 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 Campina Grande 5,160 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Campina Grande

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 Campina Grande: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Campina Grande cheaper than Panama City?
Campina Grande is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 145% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Panama City or Campina Grande?
Average pay runs 133% higher in Panama City, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Panama City and Campina Grande?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,257 in Panama City versus $263 in Campina Grande. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Panama City or in Campina Grande?
Dining out is cheaper in Campina Grande – a meal for two runs $30.00 versus $48.00 in Panama City. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Panama City and in Campina Grande?
All in, you'll spend $1,855 per month in Panama City versus $756 in Campina Grande – a 145% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Campina Grande?
At $756 in Campina Grande versus $1,855 in Panama City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Campina Grande but tight or insufficient in Panama City. The gap between the two cities makes Campina Grande the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Panama City or Campina Grande more family-friendly?
For families, Campina Grande is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Panama City, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Campina Grande gentler on the wallet – expenses run 145% less than in Panama City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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