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 $1,827 per month in Panama City vs $1,296 in Fukuoka, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,748 per month in Panama City vs $2,055 in Fukuoka, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,670 per month in Panama City vs $2,814 in Fukuoka, rent included.

Panama City costs about 41% more than Fukuoka, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Panama City sits 36% above the global median, while Fukuoka is 4% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.14 PAB 10.14

$8.53 ¥1,364

18.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.97 PAB 49.97

$41.84 ¥6,692

19.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 PAB 8.11

$6.05 ¥967

34.05%

Cappuccino

$3.58 PAB 3.58

$3.14 ¥502

14.01%

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

$1.66 PAB 1.66

$1.03 ¥165

61.17%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 PAB 1.38

$0.83 ¥132

66.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 PAB 2.99

$1.71 ¥273

74.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 PAB 4.04

$2.03 ¥325

99.01%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.67 ¥268

9.58%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$1.65 ¥264

55.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.38 PAB 2.38

$4.19 ¥670

-43.20%

Eggs

$2.87 PAB 2.87

$2.54 ¥405

12.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 PAB 11.36

$20.95 ¥3,350

-45.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.09 PAB 7.09

$6.31 ¥1,009

12.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.82 PAB 9.82

$20.70 ¥3,310

-52.56%

Apples (1kg)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

$3.13 ¥501

8.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

$1.42 ¥227

4.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.77 PAB 2.77

$1.43 ¥228

93.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.24 PAB 3.24

$5.74 ¥917

-43.55%

Potato (1kg)

$2.31 PAB 2.31

$2.76 ¥441

-16.30%

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

$3.17 ¥507

-12.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 PAB 2.22

$0.90 ¥145

146.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

$0.80 ¥129

91.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.88 PAB 5.88

$3.90 ¥624

50.77%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.14 PAB 11.14

$6.32 ¥1,011

76.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$1.91 ¥306

-32.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 PAB 2.44

$2.10 ¥335

16.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PAB 0.43

$1.84 ¥294

-76.63%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.81 PAB 22.81

$42.95 ¥6,869

-46.89%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$4.59 ¥734

-44.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

$4.39 ¥702

-59.68%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.12 PAB 22.12

$19.92 ¥3,186

11.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 PAB 0.90

$1.23 ¥197

-26.83%

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

$19.6K PAB 19.6K

$23.2K ¥3.7M

-15.61%

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

$20.3K PAB 20.3K

$20.2K ¥3.2M

0.71%

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

$124 PAB 124

$214 ¥34.2K

-42.28%

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

$29.39 PAB 29.39

$27.55 ¥4,407

6.68%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.62 PAB 48.62

$36.16 ¥5,784

34.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.88 PAB 44.88

$59.8 ¥9,564

-24.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.90 PAB 31.90

$3.37 ¥539

846.59%

Cinema Ticket

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$14.05 ¥2,247

-43.35%

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

$469 PAB 469

$417 ¥66.6K

12.49%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K PAB 15.5K

$13.6K ¥2.2M

14.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.1 PAB 52.1

$42.82 ¥6,848

21.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.54 PAB 46.54

$29.60 ¥4,734

57.23%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 PAB 88.3

$65.6 ¥10.5K

34.58%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 PAB 123

$60.5 ¥9,671

103.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,124 PAB 1,124

$547 ¥87.5K

105.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$900 PAB 900

$300 ¥47.9K

200.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,036 PAB 2,036

$1,046 ¥167.3K

94.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,547 PAB 1,547

$692 ¥110.6K

123.61%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,087 PAB 3,087

$6,314 ¥1.0M

-51.11%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,727 PAB 1,727

$2,704 ¥432.6K

-36.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$952 PAB 952

$1,529 ¥244.5K

-37.75%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

1.67

273.05%

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

Last update for Panama City: June 9, 2026

Last update for Fukuoka: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,124 in Panama City versus $547 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 61% 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 $50.0 in Panama City versus $42.00 in Fukuoka. Groceries tell a different story – $290 in Panama City vs $329 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: $1,827 in Panama City, $1,296 in Fukuoka – roughly 41% apart. Panama City costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,740 per month in Panama City and $1,944 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 $469 per month in Panama City and $417 in Fukuoka. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 13% 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 $1,296, than in Panama City at $1,827. 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 $1,296 in Fukuoka to $1,827 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.