Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Delta, BC

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $2,619 in Delta, BC, rent and utilities included – about $9,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

90

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index
129

Cost of Living Index in Delta, BC
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Delta, BC Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,855

/mo nomad

Delta, BC

🇨🇦 Canada

$2,619

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Delta, BC

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 Delta, BC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $2,619 in Delta, BC, rent included.

Panama City $1,855
Delta, BC $2,619

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $3,893 in Delta, BC, rent included.

Panama City $2,804
Delta, BC $3,893

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $5,167 in Delta, BC, rent included.

Panama City $3,753
Delta, BC $5,167

Panama City is about 29% cheaper than Delta, BC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and Delta, BC sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Delta, BC by 94%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.63 PAB 11.63

$19.18 CA$27.12

-39.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.92 PAB 47.92

$69.1 CA$97.7

-30.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$9.06 CA$12.81

-12.14%

Cappuccino

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$4.40 CA$6.21

-4.09%

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

$2.01 PAB 2.01

$2.32 CA$3.28

-13.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 PAB 1.56

$1.75 CA$2.47

-10.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

$5.72 CA$8.08

-40.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 PAB 3.94

$6.47 CA$9.14

-39.10%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

$1.78 CA$2.52

3.93%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$2.33 CA$3.29

9.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$3.01 CA$4.26

15.61%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

$3.77 CA$5.33

-28.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.57 PAB 12.57

$13.76 CA$19.46

-8.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 PAB 6.83

$13.59 CA$19.22

-49.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.58 PAB 10.58

$24.47 CA$34.59

-56.76%

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

$3.90 CA$5.51

7.18%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.17 CA$1.66

56.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 PAB 4.20

$4.27 CA$6.04

-1.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 PAB 4.03

$4.51 CA$6.37

-10.64%

Potato (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$2.76 CA$3.90

26.09%

Onion (1kg)

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$3.47 CA$4.90

21.61%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

$2.31 CA$3.27

4.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 PAB 1.69

$2.13 CA$3.01

-20.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 PAB 6.14

$14.13 CA$19.97

-56.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.30 PAB 11.30

$12.56 CA$17.75

-10.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 PAB 1.42

$1.99 CA$2.82

-28.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 PAB 2.73

$2.33 CA$3.30

17.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

$2.70 CA$3.82

-87.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.23 PAB 21.23

$82.9 CA$117

-74.38%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

$2.82 CA$3.99

-10.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 PAB 1.86

$1.51 CA$2.13

23.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.78 PAB 21.78

$25.65 CA$36.26

-15.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 PAB 1.25

$1.25 CA$1.77

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

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

$27.8K CA$39.3K

-23.63%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

$18.9K CA$26.7K

11.11%

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

$130 PAB 130

$120 CA$170

8.10%

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

$28.13 PAB 28.13

$43.53 CA$61.5

-35.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.21 PAB 48.21

$52.9 CA$74.8

-8.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.78 PAB 45.78

$28.15 CA$39.79

62.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.92 PAB 34.92

Cinema Ticket

$8.67 PAB 8.67

$11.72 CA$16.57

-26.02%

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

$544 PAB 544

$642 CA$908

-15.23%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,697 PAB 9,697

$10.6K CA$15.0K

-8.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.8 PAB 66.8

$62.1 CA$87.8

7.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.14 PAB 49.14

$50.9 CA$72.0

-3.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.9 PAB 93.9

$81.1 CA$115

15.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 PAB 112

$76.2 CA$108

46.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,257 PAB 1,257

$1,655 CA$2,339

-24.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$875 PAB 875

$1,428 CA$2,018

-38.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,155 PAB 2,155

$3,351 CA$4,737

-35.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,564 PAB 1,564

$2,433 CA$3,440

-35.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,122 PAB 3,122

$3,753 CA$5,305

-16.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,709 PAB 1,709

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$916 PAB 916

$3,082 CA$4,357

-70.28%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

4.76

34.24%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Delta, BC: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$875 47.2%

Delta, BC

$1.4K 54.5% 63.2% $553

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$325 17.5%

Delta, BC

$407 15.5% 25.1% $82

Eating Out

Panama City

$207 11.1%

Delta, BC

$291 11.1% 40.9% $85

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$206 11.1%

Delta, BC

$217 8.3% 5% $10

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$145 7.8%

Delta, BC

$122 4.6% 15.9% $23

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$63 3.4%

Delta, BC

$52 2% 18.3% $12

Getting Around

Panama City

$34 1.9%

Delta, BC

$104 4% 203% $70

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $1,655 in Delta, BC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 236% higher in Delta, BC, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City versus $69.0 in Delta, BC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $407 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇨🇦 Delta, BC

🕒 Local time

15:56 3:56 PM

13:56 1:56 PM

2 h behind Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

108,455

💱 Currency

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

Canadian Dollar CAD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.89 EUR

1 CAD = 0.707 USD

1 CAD = 0.629 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇦 Panamanian Balboa (B/.)

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

USD to PAB in detail →

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Panama City Delta, BC 6,010 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Delta, BC

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 Delta, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Delta, BC costs about 41% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $3,929 in Delta, BC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Public transport costs about 290% less in Panama City. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $544 per month in Panama City and $642 in Delta, BC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Delta, BC at $2,619. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Delta, BC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Panama City costs $1,855 versus $2,619 in Delta, BC. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Delta, BC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.