😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,814 in Panama City versus $1,336 in Coronado.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,728 in Panama City versus $2,139 in Coronado.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,643 in Panama City versus $2,941 in Coronado.
🌍Living in Panama City is roughly 36% more expensive than in Coronado, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Panama City36% above, Coronado0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.13PAB 10.13
$11.98PAB 11.98
-15.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.65PAB 49.65
$35.63PAB 35.63
39.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.06PAB 8.06
$8.98PAB 8.98
-10.24%
Cappuccino
$3.60PAB 3.60
$2.88PAB 2.88
25.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72PAB 1.72
$1.04PAB 1.04
65.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36PAB 1.36
$0.83PAB 0.83
63.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95PAB 2.95
$1.51PAB 1.51
95.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03PAB 4.03
$2.97PAB 2.97
35.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.81PAB 1.81
$1.85PAB 1.85
-2.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.46PAB 2.46
$1.52PAB 1.52
61.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.41PAB 2.41
$2.91PAB 2.91
-17.18%
Eggs
$2.93PAB 2.93
$2.21PAB 2.21
32.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.38PAB 11.38
$14.82PAB 14.82
-23.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.06PAB 7.06
$6.55PAB 6.55
7.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.85PAB 9.85
$9.43PAB 9.43
4.45%
Apples(1kg)
$3.37PAB 3.37
$2.63PAB 2.63
28.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51PAB 1.51
$1.02PAB 1.02
48.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.86PAB 2.86
$2.94PAB 2.94
-2.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.12PAB 3.12
$2.98PAB 2.98
4.70%
Potato(1kg)
$2.23PAB 2.23
$2.10PAB 2.10
6.19%
Onion(1kg)
$2.76PAB 2.76
$1.94PAB 1.94
42.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.18PAB 2.18
$2.10PAB 2.10
3.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53PAB 1.53
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.09PAB 6.09
$5.86PAB 5.86
3.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.78PAB 10.78
$9.93PAB 9.93
8.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28PAB 1.28
$0.78PAB 0.78
64.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36PAB 2.36
$0.85PAB 0.85
177.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.44PAB 0.44
$0.97PAB 0.97
-54.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.10PAB 22.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.44PAB 2.44
$1.49PAB 1.49
63.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.77PAB 1.77
$1.51PAB 1.51
17.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$21.61PAB 21.61
$10.20PAB 10.20
111.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95PAB 0.95
$0.91PAB 0.91
4.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6KPAB 19.6K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6KPAB 20.6K
$33.9KPAB 33.9K
-39.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$122PAB 122
$111PAB 111
9.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.88PAB 29.88
$21.36PAB 21.36
39.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.49PAB 49.49
$59.4PAB 59.4
-16.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.36PAB 45.36
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.73PAB 32.73
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.85PAB 7.85
$3.36PAB 3.36
133.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$484PAB 484
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.8KPAB 15.8K
$6,385PAB 6,385
147.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6PAB 51.6
$44.80PAB 44.80
15.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.50PAB 46.50
$30.26PAB 30.26
53.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.6PAB 88.6
$100PAB 100
-11.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121PAB 121
$130PAB 130
-7.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,158PAB 1,158
$773PAB 773
49.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$894PAB 894
$566PAB 566
58.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,037PAB 2,037
$1,253PAB 1,253
62.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,578PAB 1,578
$1,258PAB 1,258
25.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,124PAB 3,124
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,693PAB 1,693
$1,992PAB 1,992
-15.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Coronado
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$926PAB 926
$604PAB 604
53.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.23
6
3.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Panama City: July 12, 2026
Last update for Coronado: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,158 in Panama City and $773 in Coronado. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Panama City pays 53% 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: $50.0 in Panama City vs $36.00 in Coronado for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $288 vs $250 per month, with Coronado cheaper across the board.
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 Coronado: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Panama City or Coronado?
Coronado wins on cost – living expenses run 36% lower than in Panama City. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Coronado the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Panama City or in Coronado?
Average pay runs 53% 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Panama City compared to Coronado?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,158 in Panama City versus $773 in Coronado. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Panama City compared to Coronado?
All in, you'll spend $1,814 per month in Panama City versus $1,336 in Coronado – a 36% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in Panama City or in Coronado?
Supermarket bills run roughly 15% higher in Panama City. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Panama City or in Coronado?
At $1,336 in Coronado versus $1,814 in Panama City, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Coronado but tight or insufficient in Panama City. The gap between the two cities makes Coronado the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Panama City or Coronado?
Both work as nomad bases, but Coronado delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,336 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Coronado hard to pass up.
How safe is Panama City compared to Coronado?
Safety-wise, Panama City and Coronado 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Coronado gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Panama City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Panama City vs other spots: cost of living compared