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 $1,793 per month in Panama City vs $173 in La Chorrera, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,686 per month in Panama City vs $120 in La Chorrera, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,578 per month in Panama City vs $66.5 in La Chorrera, rent included.

Panama City costs about 934% more than La Chorrera, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Panama City sits 31% above the global median, while La Chorrera is 87% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.83 PAB 9.83

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.51 PAB 45.51

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.16 PAB 8.16

Cappuccino

$4.09 PAB 4.09

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

$1.94 PAB 1.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 PAB 1.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.97 PAB 2.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.06 PAB 4.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

$1.71 PAB 1.71

8.19%

White Bread (500g)

$2.38 PAB 2.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.01 PAB 3.01

$3.22 PAB 3.22

-6.52%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.41 PAB 12.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.39 PAB 6.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.56 PAB 9.56

Apples (1kg)

$4.10 PAB 4.10

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 PAB 1.57

Oranges (1kg)

$3.19 PAB 3.19

Tomato (1kg)

$4.08 PAB 4.08

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 PAB 2.82

Onion (1kg)

$4.05 PAB 4.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.19 PAB 2.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 PAB 1.76

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 PAB 6.14

Wine (Bottle)

$10.91 PAB 10.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 PAB 1.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 PAB 2.57

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.77 PAB 20.77

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 PAB 2.45

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.77 PAB 21.77

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 PAB 1.16

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

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

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

$20.7K PAB 20.7K

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

$133 PAB 133

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

$28.86 PAB 28.86

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.92 PAB 47.92

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.07 PAB 45.07

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.31 PAB 31.31

Cinema Ticket

$8.12 PAB 8.12

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

$520 PAB 520

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,280 PAB 9,280

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.4 PAB 57.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.63 PAB 41.63

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.2 PAB 93.2

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 PAB 110

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,236 PAB 1,236

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$903 PAB 903

$141 PAB 141

542.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,985 PAB 1,985

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,449 PAB 1,449

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,038 PAB 3,038

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,685 PAB 1,685

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$939 PAB 939

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.33

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

Last update for Panama City: August 16, 2026

Last update for La Chorrera: August 18, 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 934% 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 $2,690 per month in Panama City and $260 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 $1,793 in Panama City and $173 in La Chorrera. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 923% 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 $173, than in Panama City at $1,793. 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 $173 versus $1,793 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.