Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Duque de Caxias

For one person, living is cheaper in Duque de Caxias: $806 a month against $1,857 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $12,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Duque de Caxias
🇧🇷 Brazil
$806
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Duque de Caxias

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 Duque de Caxias actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,857 per month in Panama City vs $806 in Duque de Caxias, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,857
  • Duque de Caxias $806

A couple spends around $2,815 per month in Panama City vs $1,390 in Duque de Caxias, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,815
  • Duque de Caxias $1,390

A family of three spends $3,773 per month in Panama City vs $1,974 in Duque de Caxias, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,773
  • Duque de Caxias $1,974

Panama City costs about 130% more than Duque de Caxias, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Panama City sits 37% above the global median, while Duque de Caxias is 41% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.68 PAB 11.68
$7.07 R$35.82
65.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.76 PAB 47.76
$39.30 R$199
21.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.12 PAB 8.12
$8.26 R$41.90
-1.69%
Cappuccino
$4.23 PAB 4.23
$2.26 R$11.44
87.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 PAB 1.92
$1.52 R$7.70
26.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 PAB 1.58
$1.04 R$5.26
51.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.31 PAB 3.31
$2.17 R$10.99
52.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98 PAB 3.98
$3.58 R$18.16
11.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 PAB 1.92
$1.18 R$5.96
62.71%
White Bread (500g)
$2.63 PAB 2.63
$2.06 R$10.46
27.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$1.14 R$5.76
197.37%
Eggs
$2.67 PAB 2.67
$2.24 R$11.37
19.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.21 PAB 12.21
$9.06 R$45.91
34.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.91 PAB 6.91
$4.51 R$22.87
53.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$9.98 R$50.6
6.01%
Apples (1kg)
$4.16 PAB 4.16
$2.83 R$14.37
47.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.97 PAB 1.97
$1.76 R$8.94
11.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.06 PAB 4.06
$1.58 R$8.00
156.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$1.79 R$9.07
133.52%
Potato (1kg)
$3.47 PAB 3.47
$1.20 R$6.06
189.17%
Onion (1kg)
$4.26 PAB 4.26
$1.06 R$5.38
301.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.44 PAB 2.44
$0.76 R$3.85
221.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$0.64 R$3.25
164.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.83 PAB 5.83
$2.83 R$14.32
106.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.43 PAB 11.43
$8.10 R$41.07
41.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38 PAB 1.38
$1.18 R$5.96
16.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 PAB 2.76
$2.49 R$12.61
10.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$0.98 R$4.97
-66.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.63 PAB 20.63
$43.44 R$220
-52.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.55 PAB 2.55
$1.27 R$6.43
100.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 PAB 1.78
$1.41 R$7.14
26.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.17 PAB 22.17
$9.23 R$46.81
140.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 PAB 1.24
$1.26 R$6.38
-1.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
$23.4K R$118.8K
4.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
$34.1K R$172.8K
-37.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$131 PAB 131
$42.43 R$215
209.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.83 PAB 27.83
$10.65 R$54.0
161.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.32 PAB 49.32
$18.29 R$92.7
169.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.69 PAB 45.69
$25.58 R$130
78.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.10 PAB 34.10
$27.88 R$141
22.31%
Cinema Ticket
$8.47 PAB 8.47
$7.91 R$40.12
7.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$553 PAB 553
$424 R$2,150
30.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,719 PAB 9,719
$7,540 R$38.2K
28.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.4 PAB 66.4
$41.79 R$212
58.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.39 PAB 47.39
$49.66 R$252
-4.57%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.7 PAB 95.7
$95.7 R$485
-0.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 PAB 113
$85.4 R$433
31.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,322 PAB 1,322
$297 R$1,505
345.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$874 PAB 874
$169 R$857
416.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,153 PAB 2,153
$789 R$4,000
172.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,580 PAB 1,580
$443 R$2,248
256.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,097 PAB 3,097
$1,286 R$6,519
140.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,698 PAB 1,698
$570 R$2,891
197.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Duque de Caxias
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$914 PAB 914
$302 R$1,530
202.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
11.12
-42.54%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Duque de Caxias: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$874
Duque de Caxias
$169 80.7% $705
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$327
Duque de Caxias
$209 36% $118
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$208
Duque de Caxias
$71 65.8% $137
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Duque de Caxias
$137 34% $70
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Duque de Caxias
$123 15.4% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Duque de Caxias
$41 33.9% $21
Getting Around
Panama City
$33
Duque de Caxias
$56 66.5% $22

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,322 in Panama City versus $297 in Duque de Caxias. 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 203% higher in Panama City, 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 $39.00 in Duque de Caxias. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $327 vs $209 – making Duque de Caxias the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇧🇷 Duque de Caxias
🕒 Local time
17:58 5:58 PM
19:58 7:58 PM
2 h ahead of Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
808,161
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BRL, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 20, 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 20, 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 Duque de Caxias 5,280 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Duque de Caxias

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 Duque de Caxias: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Panama City or Duque de Caxias?
Panama City costs about 130% more than Duque de Caxias, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Panama City and in Duque de Caxias?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,786 per month in Panama City and $1,209 in Duque de Caxias. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Panama City or Duque de Caxias?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Duque de Caxias, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Panama City or in Duque de Caxias?
Groceries cost about 56% 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.
How do dining costs compare in Panama City and in Duque de Caxias?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $39.00 in Duque de Caxias. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Panama City or in Duque de Caxias?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Duque de Caxias, where all-in costs run around $806, than in Panama City at $1,857. In Duque de Caxias it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Panama City or Duque de Caxias?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Duque de Caxias costs $806 versus $1,857 in Panama City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Panama City or to Duque de Caxias?
If budget matters most, go with Duque de Caxias. 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.

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