Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Glendale, AZ

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $2,173 in Glendale, AZ, rent and utilities included – about $3,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Glendale, AZ
🇺🇸 United States
$2,173
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Glendale, AZ

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 Glendale, AZ actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $2,173 in Glendale, AZ, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Glendale, AZ $2,173

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $3,425 in Glendale, AZ, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Glendale, AZ $3,425

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $4,676 in Glendale, AZ, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Glendale, AZ $4,676

Panama City is about 15% cheaper than Glendale, AZ, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and Glendale, AZ sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Glendale, AZ by 61%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$15.13 $15.13
-23.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$62.1 $62.1
-22.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$12.45 $12.45
-36.06%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$5.38 $5.38
-21.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$2.17 $2.17
-7.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$1.96 $1.96
-20.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$7.11 $7.11
-52.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$7.21 $7.21
-45.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$0.96 $0.96
92.71%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$3.24 $3.24
-20.99%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$5.11 $5.11
-31.90%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$4.54 $4.54
-40.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$13.36 $13.36
-5.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$11.27 $11.27
-39.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$16.92 $16.92
-37.47%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$4.57 $4.57
-8.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$1.87 $1.87
-2.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$3.94 $3.94
6.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$4.12 $4.12
-2.18%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$2.45 $2.45
42.04%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$2.91 $2.91
45.02%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$2.13 $2.13
13.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$2.10 $2.10
-19.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$10.47 $10.47
-41.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$13.35 $13.35
-15.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$1.77 $1.77
-19.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
$3.75 $3.75
-27.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$2.04 $2.04
-83.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$2.72 $2.72
-7.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$1.34 $1.34
38.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$35.46 $35.46
-38.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.02 $1.02
22.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$36.1K $36.1K
-41.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$25.9K $25.9K
-18.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$194 $194
-33.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$48.28 $48.28
-41.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$66.4 $66.4
-27.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
$34.52 $34.52
32.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$9.95 $9.95
-12.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$1,089 $1,089
-50.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
$15.8K $15.8K
-38.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$54.3 $54.3
23.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$42.94 $42.94
14.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$88.2 $88.2
6.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$103 $103
8.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$1,360 $1,360
-7.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$985 $985
-11.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$2,469 $2,469
-12.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$2,105 $2,105
-25.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,122 PAB 3,122
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,709 PAB 1,709
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Glendale, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
$3,716 $3,716
-75.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.23
2.57%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Glendale, AZ: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Glendale, AZ
$985 12.6% $110
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Glendale, AZ
$388 19.4% $63
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Glendale, AZ
$289 40.1% $83
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Glendale, AZ
$309 49.8% $103
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Glendale, AZ
$130 10.2% $15
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Glendale, AZ
$54 13.8% $8.7
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Glendale, AZ
$18 * 48.9% $17

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $1,360 in Glendale, AZ. 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 306% higher in Glendale, AZ, 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 $62.0 in Glendale, AZ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $388 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇺🇸 Glendale, AZ
🕒 Local time
14:58 2:58 PM
12:58 12:58 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
200,831
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.889 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.889 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Glendale, AZ 4,310 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Glendale, AZ

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 Glendale, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Panama City or Glendale, AZ?
Glendale, AZ costs about 17% 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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Panama City and in Glendale, AZ?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $3,260 in Glendale, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Panama City or Glendale, AZ?
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.
How do dining costs compare in Panama City and in Glendale, AZ?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $62.0 in Glendale, AZ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Panama City or in Glendale, AZ?
Groceries cost about 19% more in Glendale, AZ, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Panama City or in Glendale, AZ?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Glendale, AZ at $2,173. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Glendale, AZ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Panama City or Glendale, AZ?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Panama City costs $1,855 versus $2,173 in Glendale, AZ. 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 Glendale, AZ?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Glendale, AZ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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