Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Fukuoka Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Fukuoka

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,862 per month in Panama City vs $1,221 in Fukuoka, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,727 per month in Panama City vs $1,934 in Fukuoka, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,591 per month in Panama City vs $2,647 in Fukuoka, rent included.

Panama City costs about 52% more than Fukuoka, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Panama City sits 35% above the global median, while Fukuoka is 11% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.08 PAB 10.08

$7.34 ¥1,126

37.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.52 PAB 44.52

$43.73 ¥6,715

1.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.79 PAB 7.79

$5.84 ¥897

33.39%

Cappuccino

$3.98 PAB 3.98

$3.44 ¥528

15.70%

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

$1.94 PAB 1.94

$1.07 ¥165

81.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 PAB 1.58

$0.69 ¥107

128.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.03 PAB 3.03

$3.91 ¥600

-22.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.02 PAB 4.02

$2.24 ¥343

79.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 PAB 1.84

$1.66 ¥254

10.84%

White Bread (500g)

$2.43 PAB 2.43

$1.95 ¥300

24.62%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.10 PAB 3.10

$6.52 ¥1,002

-52.45%

Eggs

$2.81 PAB 2.81

$2.26 ¥347

24.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.54 PAB 12.54

$18.52 ¥2,844

-32.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.55 PAB 6.55

$5.48 ¥842

19.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.25 PAB 10.25

$19.17 ¥2,943

-46.53%

Apples (1kg)

$4.29 PAB 4.29

$3.75 ¥576

14.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 PAB 1.75

$1.91 ¥294

-8.38%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.02 PAB 4.02

$2.91 ¥446

38.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.06 PAB 4.06

$3.35 ¥515

21.19%

Potato (1kg)

$3.10 PAB 3.10

$2.29 ¥351

35.37%

Onion (1kg)

$4.45 PAB 4.45

$2.57 ¥394

73.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 PAB 2.25

$1.09 ¥167

106.42%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 PAB 1.73

$0.98 ¥151

76.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.06 PAB 6.06

$3.95 ¥606

53.42%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.95 PAB 10.95

$6.57 ¥1,010

66.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 PAB 1.37

$1.68 ¥258

-18.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

$1.86 ¥286

48.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 PAB 0.34

$1.65 ¥253

-79.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.16 PAB 21.16

$42.79 ¥6,571

-50.55%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.47 PAB 2.47

$3.96 ¥608

-37.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

$2.13 ¥327

-16.90%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.29 PAB 22.29

$18.49 ¥2,839

20.55%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 PAB 1.16

$1.08 ¥166

7.41%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

$22.0K ¥3.4M

-4.48%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

$18.1K ¥2.8M

16.01%

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

$129 PAB 129

$189 ¥29.0K

-31.94%

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

$29.00 PAB 29.00

$25.84 ¥3,967

12.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.99 PAB 47.99

$33.81 ¥5,192

41.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.57 PAB 47.57

$51.6 ¥7,920

-7.77%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$33.90 PAB 33.90

Cinema Ticket

$7.93 PAB 7.93

$11.15 ¥1,712

-28.88%

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

$553 PAB 553

$129 ¥19.9K

327.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,520 PAB 9,520

$12.8K ¥2.0M

-25.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.9 PAB 60.9

$35.12 ¥5,393

73.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.58 PAB 46.58

$24.57 ¥3,773

89.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.6 PAB 92.6

$57.9 ¥8,884

60.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 PAB 119

$48.42 ¥7,435

145.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,296 PAB 1,296

$479 ¥73.5K

170.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$931 PAB 931

$266 ¥40.9K

249.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,077 PAB 2,077

$1,151 ¥176.8K

80.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,468 PAB 1,468

$695 ¥106.8K

111.15%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,129 PAB 3,129

$5,769 ¥885.8K

-45.75%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,680 PAB 1,680

$2,546 ¥391.0K

-34.00%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$931 PAB 931

$2,787 ¥428.0K

-66.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

1.54

314.94%

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

Last update for Panama City: September 5, 2026

Last update for Fukuoka: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,296 in Panama City versus $479 in Fukuoka. 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 199% higher in Fukuoka, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Panama City versus $44.00 in Fukuoka. Groceries tell a different story – $318 in Panama City vs $324 in Fukuoka – so Panama City wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Fukuoka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,862 in Panama City, $1,221 in Fukuoka – roughly 52% apart. Panama City costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,793 per month in Panama City and $1,832 in Fukuoka. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $553 per month in Panama City and $129 in Fukuoka. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Panama City – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Fukuoka, where all-in costs run around $1,221, than in Panama City at $1,862. In Fukuoka it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Panama City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,221 in Fukuoka to $1,862 in Panama City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Fukuoka. 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.