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 $1,827 per month in Panama City vs $169 in La Chorrera, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,748 per month in Panama City vs $292 in La Chorrera, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,670 per month in Panama City vs $415 in La Chorrera, rent included.

Panama City costs about 978% more than La Chorrera, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Panama City sits 36% above the global median, while La Chorrera is 87% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.14 PAB 10.14

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.97 PAB 49.97

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 PAB 8.11

Cappuccino

$3.58 PAB 3.58

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

$1.66 PAB 1.66

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 PAB 1.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 PAB 2.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 PAB 4.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.79 PAB 1.79

2.23%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.38 PAB 2.38

$3.21 PAB 3.21

-25.86%

Eggs

$2.87 PAB 2.87

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.36 PAB 11.36

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.09 PAB 7.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.82 PAB 9.82

Apples (1kg)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

Oranges (1kg)

$2.77 PAB 2.77

Tomato (1kg)

$3.24 PAB 3.24

Potato (1kg)

$2.31 PAB 2.31

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 PAB 2.22

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.88 PAB 5.88

Wine (Bottle)

$11.14 PAB 11.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 PAB 1.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 PAB 2.44

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PAB 0.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.81 PAB 22.81

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.12 PAB 22.12

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 PAB 0.90

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

$19.6K PAB 19.6K

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

$20.3K PAB 20.3K

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

$124 PAB 124

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

$29.39 PAB 29.39

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.62 PAB 48.62

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.88 PAB 44.88

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.90 PAB 31.90

Cinema Ticket

$7.96 PAB 7.96

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

$469 PAB 469

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K PAB 15.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.1 PAB 52.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.54 PAB 46.54

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 PAB 88.3

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 PAB 123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,124 PAB 1,124

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$900 PAB 900

$142 PAB 142

534.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,036 PAB 2,036

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,547 PAB 1,547

$357 PAB 357

333.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,087 PAB 3,087

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,727 PAB 1,727

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$952 PAB 952

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

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

Last update for Panama City: June 9, 2026

Last update for La Chorrera: June 8, 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 978% 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 $2,740 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 $1,827 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 842% 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 $1,827. 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 $1,827 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.