Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Dickinson, ND

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,972 a month against $2,616 in Dickinson, ND, rent and utilities included – about $7,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City, Panama
Dickinson, ND, United States
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,972
/mo nomad
Dickinson, ND
🇺🇸 United States
$2,616
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Dickinson, ND

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 Dickinson, ND actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,972 in Panama City versus $2,616 in Dickinson, ND.

  • Panama City $1,972
  • Dickinson, ND $2,616

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,930 in Panama City versus $3,852 in Dickinson, ND.

  • Panama City $2,930
  • Dickinson, ND $3,852

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,888 in Panama City versus $5,089 in Dickinson, ND.

  • Panama City $3,888
  • Dickinson, ND $5,089

Living in Panama City costs roughly 25% less than in Dickinson, ND, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Panama City 46% above, Dickinson, ND 93% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.37 PAB 11.37
$19.78 $19.78
-42.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.69 PAB 46.69
$80.8 $80.8
-42.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.98 PAB 7.98
$12.49 $12.49
-36.11%
Cappuccino
$4.12 PAB 4.12
$5.40 $5.40
-23.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$3.03 $3.03
-33.66%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 PAB 1.57
$2.28 $2.28
-31.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.28 PAB 3.28
$6.61 $6.61
-50.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88 PAB 3.88
$7.58 $7.58
-48.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.82 PAB 1.82
$1.05 $1.05
73.33%
White Bread (500g)
$2.61 PAB 2.61
$3.49 $3.49
-25.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.45 PAB 3.45
$2.86 $2.86
20.63%
Eggs
$2.68 PAB 2.68
$4.21 $4.21
-36.34%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.42 PAB 12.42
$12.66 $12.66
-1.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.73 PAB 6.73
$11.77 $11.77
-42.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.44 PAB 10.44
$17.21 $17.21
-39.34%
Apples (1kg)
$4.21 PAB 4.21
$5.21 $5.21
-19.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 PAB 1.95
$1.65 $1.65
18.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.07 PAB 4.07
$2.43 $2.43
67.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.02 PAB 4.02
$4.66 $4.66
-13.73%
Potato (1kg)
$3.46 PAB 3.46
$2.76 $2.76
25.36%
Onion (1kg)
$4.42 PAB 4.42
$2.92 $2.92
51.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 PAB 2.43
$2.21 $2.21
9.95%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 PAB 1.72
$2.20 $2.20
-21.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04 PAB 6.04
$9.41 $9.41
-35.81%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.68 PAB 11.68
$14.80 $14.80
-21.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.41 PAB 1.41
$2.01 $2.01
-29.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 PAB 2.74
$3.50 $3.50
-21.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.75 $1.75
-81.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.65 PAB 20.65
$60.7 $60.7
-65.96%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.45 PAB 2.45
$3.42 $3.42
-28.36%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 PAB 1.76
$1.84 $1.84
-4.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.86 PAB 21.86
$33.58 $33.58
-34.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 PAB 1.20
$1.14 $1.14
5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K PAB 24.6K
$32.0K $32.0K
-23.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K PAB 20.9K
$26.9K $26.9K
-22.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$132 PAB 132
$219 $219
-39.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.89 PAB 27.89
$54.7 $54.7
-48.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.10 PAB 49.10
$67.5 $67.5
-27.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.53 PAB 44.53
$44.41 $44.41
0.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.01 PAB 34.01
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.70 PAB 8.70
$14.20 $14.20
-38.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$537 PAB 537
$1,339 $1,339
-59.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.5K PAB 20.5K
$21.3K $21.3K
-3.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.8 PAB 65.8
$52.5 $52.5
25.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.45 PAB 48.45
$36.18 $36.18
33.91%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.4 PAB 95.4
$82.6 $82.6
15.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 PAB 114
$121 $121
-6.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,405 PAB 1,405
$917 $917
53.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$994 PAB 994
$1,273 $1,273
-21.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,221 PAB 2,221
$2,551 $2,551
-12.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,714 PAB 1,714
$2,135 $2,135
-19.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,139 PAB 3,139
$1,567 $1,567
100.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,724 PAB 1,724
$1,593 $1,593
8.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$936 PAB 936
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.59
-3.03%

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

Last update for Panama City: November 3, 2026

Last update for Dickinson, ND: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$994
Dickinson, ND
$1.3K 28.1% $279
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$326
Dickinson, ND
$387 18.9% $62
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$209
Dickinson, ND
$341 63.2% $132
Eating Out
Panama City
$203
Dickinson, ND
$330 62.6% $127
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Dickinson, ND
$132 9.6% $14
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$62
Dickinson, ND
$73 17.6% $11
Getting Around
Panama City
$33
Dickinson, ND
$80 142% $47

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,405 in Panama City and $917 in Dickinson, ND. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $47 in Panama City vs $81 in Dickinson, ND for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $326 vs $387 per month, with Panama City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇺🇸 Dickinson, ND
🕒 Local time
09:12 9:12 AM
07:12 7:12 AM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
15,636
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Dickinson, ND 4,760 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Dickinson, ND

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 Dickinson, ND: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Dickinson, ND?
Panama City is about 25% cheaper overall, especially in eating out, groceries, and transport. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You’d need roughly $2,958 in Panama City and $3,923 in Dickinson, ND to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Panama City and Dickinson, ND?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,405 in Panama City versus $917 in Dickinson, ND. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Panama City and in Dickinson, ND?
Supermarket bills run roughly 19% higher in Dickinson, ND. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Panama City or in Dickinson, ND?
Dining out is cheaper in Panama City – a meal for two runs $47 versus $81 in Dickinson, ND. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Dickinson, ND?
At $1,972 in Panama City versus $2,616 in Dickinson, ND, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Panama City but tight or insufficient in Dickinson, ND. The gap between the two cities makes Panama City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Panama City or in Dickinson, ND?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

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