Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Las Cumbres Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Las Cumbres

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.20 PAB 10.20

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.54 PAB 49.54

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.80 PAB 7.80

Cappuccino

$3.56 PAB 3.56

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

$1.73 PAB 1.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.41 PAB 1.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 PAB 2.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PAB 3.99

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 PAB 1.84

White Bread (500g)

$2.47 PAB 2.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.38 PAB 2.38

Eggs

$2.86 PAB 2.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.40 PAB 11.40

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.00 PAB 7.00

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.05 PAB 10.05

Apples (1kg)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

Oranges (1kg)

$2.89 PAB 2.89

Tomato (1kg)

$3.17 PAB 3.17

Potato (1kg)

$2.31 PAB 2.31

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 PAB 2.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.17 PAB 2.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.54 PAB 1.54

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.17 PAB 6.17

Wine (Bottle)

$11.14 PAB 11.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 PAB 1.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 PAB 2.43

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.40 PAB 0.40

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.08 PAB 22.08

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.55 PAB 2.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 PAB 1.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.60 PAB 21.60

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 PAB 0.89

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

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

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

$20.4K PAB 20.4K

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

$121 PAB 121

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

$30.22 PAB 30.22

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.45 PAB 49.45

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.38 PAB 45.38

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.57 PAB 32.57

Cinema Ticket

$7.89 PAB 7.89

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

$469 PAB 469

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.9K PAB 15.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.8 PAB 50.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.02 PAB 47.02

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.5 PAB 89.5

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 PAB 122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,133 PAB 1,133

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$874 PAB 874

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,002 PAB 2,002

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,558 PAB 1,558

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,087 PAB 3,087

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,710 PAB 1,710

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$964 PAB 964

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: April 28, 2026

Last update for Las Cumbres: April 28, 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 Las Cumbres: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Las Cumbres – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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 Las Cumbres. 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.