Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Hermosa Beach, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,748 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent and utilities included – about $10,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Hermosa Beach, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,748
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Hermosa Beach, CA

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 Hermosa Beach, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,857 per month in Panama City vs $2,748 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,857
  • Hermosa Beach, CA $2,748

A couple spends around $2,815 per month in Panama City vs $4,129 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,815
  • Hermosa Beach, CA $4,129

A family of three spends $3,773 per month in Panama City vs $5,511 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,773
  • Hermosa Beach, CA $5,511

Panama City is about 32% cheaper than Hermosa Beach, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and Hermosa Beach, CA sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Hermosa Beach, CA by 103%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.68 PAB 11.68
$25.31 $25.31
-53.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.76 PAB 47.76
$121 $121
-60.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.12 PAB 8.12
$15.05 $15.05
-46.05%
Cappuccino
$4.23 PAB 4.23
$6.10 $6.10
-30.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 PAB 1.92
$3.07 $3.07
-37.46%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 PAB 1.58
$2.32 $2.32
-31.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.31 PAB 3.31
$7.88 $7.88
-57.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98 PAB 3.98
$10.03 $10.03
-60.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 PAB 1.92
$1.28 $1.28
50.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.63 PAB 2.63
$4.70 $4.70
-44.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$4.74 $4.74
-28.48%
Eggs
$2.67 PAB 2.67
$5.51 $5.51
-51.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.21 PAB 12.21
$11.56 $11.56
5.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.91 PAB 6.91
$9.02 $9.02
-23.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$19.23 $19.23
-44.98%
Apples (1kg)
$4.16 PAB 4.16
$4.69 $4.69
-11.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.97 PAB 1.97
$2.30 $2.30
-14.35%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.06 PAB 4.06
$3.95 $3.95
2.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$5.59 $5.59
-25.22%
Potato (1kg)
$3.47 PAB 3.47
$3.24 $3.24
7.10%
Onion (1kg)
$4.26 PAB 4.26
$2.90 $2.90
46.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.44 PAB 2.44
$2.00 $2.00
22.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$2.45 $2.45
-31.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.83 PAB 5.83
$11.95 $11.95
-51.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.43 PAB 11.43
$14.87 $14.87
-23.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38 PAB 1.38
$2.45 $2.45
-43.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 PAB 2.76
$2.77 $2.77
-0.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.96 $1.96
-83.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.63 PAB 20.63
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.55 PAB 2.55
$3.04 $3.04
-16.12%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 PAB 1.78
$1.82 $1.82
-2.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.17 PAB 22.17
$32.13 $32.13
-31.00%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 PAB 1.24
$1.54 $1.54
-19.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
$29.0K $29.0K
-15.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
$26.9K $26.9K
-20.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$131 PAB 131
$217 $217
-39.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.83 PAB 27.83
$77.3 $77.3
-63.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.32 PAB 49.32
$76.2 $76.2
-35.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.69 PAB 45.69
$41.90 $41.90
9.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.10 PAB 34.10
$15.06 $15.06
126.43%
Cinema Ticket
$8.47 PAB 8.47
$17.68 $17.68
-52.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$553 PAB 553
$1,636 $1,636
-66.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,719 PAB 9,719
$12.5K $12.5K
-22.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.4 PAB 66.4
$61.7 $61.7
7.70%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.39 PAB 47.39
$48.44 $48.44
-2.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.7 PAB 95.7
$106 $106
-9.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 PAB 113
$104 $104
7.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,322 PAB 1,322
$1,566 $1,566
-15.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$874 PAB 874
$1,314 $1,314
-33.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,153 PAB 2,153
$2,537 $2,537
-15.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,580 PAB 1,580
$2,150 $2,150
-26.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,097 PAB 3,097
$2,944 $2,944
5.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,698 PAB 1,698
$2,224 $2,224
-23.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$914 PAB 914
$7,062 $7,062
-87.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.31
1.27%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Hermosa Beach, CA: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$874
Hermosa Beach, CA
$1.3K 50.3% $440
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$327
Hermosa Beach, CA
$420 28.5% $93
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$208
Hermosa Beach, CA
$371 77.8% $162
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Hermosa Beach, CA
$402 94.1% $195
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Hermosa Beach, CA
$144 0.6% $0.9
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Hermosa Beach, CA
$77 23.4% $15
Getting Around
Panama City
$33
Hermosa Beach, CA
$20 * 40.2% $13

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,322 in Panama City versus $1,566 in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 673% higher in Hermosa Beach, CA, 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 $121 in Hermosa Beach, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $327 vs $420 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇺🇸 Hermosa Beach, CA
🕒 Local time
18:45 6:45 PM
16:45 4:45 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
19,728
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 21, 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 October 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Hermosa Beach, CA 4,840 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Hermosa Beach, CA

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 Hermosa Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hermosa Beach, CA cheaper than Panama City?
Yes – Hermosa Beach, CA is pricier by about 48%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,786 per month in Panama City and $4,121 in Hermosa Beach, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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.
What are total monthly expenses in Panama City and in Hermosa Beach, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,857 in Panama City and $2,748 in Hermosa Beach, CA. That's a gap of about 48%.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $553 per month in Panama City and $1,636 in Hermosa Beach, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Hermosa Beach, CA?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,857, than in Hermosa Beach, CA at $2,748. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hermosa Beach, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Panama City or Hermosa Beach, CA more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Panama City – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Panama City or Hermosa Beach, CA?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hermosa Beach, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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