Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and La Chorrera Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and La Chorrera

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Panama City vs $169 in La Chorrera, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Panama City vs $118 in La Chorrera, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,812 per month in Panama City vs $67.5 in La Chorrera, rent included.

Panama City costs about 986% more than La Chorrera, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Panama City sits 37% above the global median, while La Chorrera is 87% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.34 PAB 11.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.85 PAB 47.85

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.07 PAB 8.07

Cappuccino

$4.02 PAB 4.02

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

$1.94 PAB 1.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 PAB 1.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.26 PAB 3.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PAB 3.99

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.80 PAB 1.80

1.67%

White Bread (500g)

$2.57 PAB 2.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.33 PAB 3.33

$3.28 PAB 3.28

1.52%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.33 PAB 12.33

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.69 PAB 6.69

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.40 PAB 10.40

Apples (1kg)

$4.16 PAB 4.16

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 PAB 1.84

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

Tomato (1kg)

$4.08 PAB 4.08

Potato (1kg)

$3.50 PAB 3.50

Onion (1kg)

$4.37 PAB 4.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.34 PAB 2.34

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 PAB 1.75

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.06 PAB 6.06

Wine (Bottle)

$11.72 PAB 11.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 PAB 1.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 PAB 2.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 PAB 0.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.96 PAB 20.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 PAB 1.79

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.01 PAB 22.01

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 PAB 1.25

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

$21.5K PAB 21.5K

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

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

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

$131 PAB 131

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

$27.68 PAB 27.68

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.59 PAB 48.59

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.11 PAB 46.11

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.01 PAB 35.01

Cinema Ticket

$8.73 PAB 8.73

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

$551 PAB 551

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,560 PAB 9,560

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.6 PAB 67.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.03 PAB 48.03

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.9 PAB 94.9

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 PAB 113

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,238 PAB 1,238

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$873 PAB 873

$144 PAB 144

505.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,197 PAB 2,197

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,538 PAB 1,538

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,116 PAB 3,116

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,725 PAB 1,725

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$934 PAB 934

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

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

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Last update for La Chorrera: October 4, 2026

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 La Chorrera: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City costs about 986% more than La Chorrera, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Panama City and $254 in La Chorrera. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,837 in Panama City and $169 in La Chorrera. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 941% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in La Chorrera, where all-in costs run around $169, than in Panama City at $1,837. In La Chorrera it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. La Chorrera costs $169 versus $1,837 in Panama City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 La Chorrera. 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.