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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,862 per month in Panama City vs $465 in Las Tablas, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,727 per month in Panama City vs $684 in Las Tablas, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,591 per month in Panama City vs $903 in Las Tablas, rent included.

Panama City costs about 300% more than Las Tablas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Panama City sits 35% above the global median, while Las Tablas is 66% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.08 PAB 10.08

$10.19 PAB 10.19

-1.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.52 PAB 44.52

$29.50 PAB 29.50

50.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.79 PAB 7.79

$8.25 PAB 8.25

-5.58%

Cappuccino

$3.98 PAB 3.98

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

$1.94 PAB 1.94

$1.02 PAB 1.02

90.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 PAB 1.58

$1.02 PAB 1.02

54.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.03 PAB 3.03

$1.22 PAB 1.22

148.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.02 PAB 4.02

$2.70 PAB 2.70

48.89%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 PAB 1.84

White Bread (500g)

$2.43 PAB 2.43

$1.92 PAB 1.92

26.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.10 PAB 3.10

Eggs

$2.81 PAB 2.81

$2.11 PAB 2.11

33.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.54 PAB 12.54

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.55 PAB 6.55

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.25 PAB 10.25

Apples (1kg)

$4.29 PAB 4.29

$4.44 PAB 4.44

-3.38%

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 PAB 1.75

$1.30 PAB 1.30

34.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.02 PAB 4.02

Tomato (1kg)

$4.06 PAB 4.06

$1.58 PAB 1.58

156.96%

Potato (1kg)

$3.10 PAB 3.10

Onion (1kg)

$4.45 PAB 4.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 PAB 2.25

$1.29 PAB 1.29

74.42%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 PAB 1.73

$1.02 PAB 1.02

69.61%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.06 PAB 6.06

Wine (Bottle)

$10.95 PAB 10.95

$5.61 PAB 5.61

95.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 PAB 1.37

$1.27 PAB 1.27

7.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

$1.70 PAB 1.70

62.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 PAB 0.34

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.16 PAB 21.16

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.47 PAB 2.47

$0.97 PAB 0.97

154.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.29 PAB 22.29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 PAB 1.16

$0.89 PAB 0.89

30.34%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

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

$129 PAB 129

$149 PAB 149

-13.66%

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

$29.00 PAB 29.00

$22.89 PAB 22.89

26.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.99 PAB 47.99

$37.58 PAB 37.58

27.70%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.57 PAB 47.57

$19.62 PAB 19.62

142.46%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$33.90 PAB 33.90

Cinema Ticket

$7.93 PAB 7.93

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

$553 PAB 553

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,520 PAB 9,520

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.9 PAB 60.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.58 PAB 46.58

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.6 PAB 92.6

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 PAB 119

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,296 PAB 1,296

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$931 PAB 931

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,077 PAB 2,077

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,468 PAB 1,468

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,129 PAB 3,129

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,680 PAB 1,680

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$931 PAB 931

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: September 5, 2026

Last update for Las Tablas: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Panama City versus $29.00 in Las Tablas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $318 vs $104 – making Las Tablas the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Tablas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City costs about 300% more than Las Tablas, 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 $2,793 per month in Panama City and $698 in Las Tablas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,862 in Panama City and $465 in Las Tablas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 206% 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 Las Tablas, where all-in costs run around $465, than in Panama City at $1,862. In Las Tablas 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. Las Tablas costs $465 versus $1,862 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 Las Tablas. 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.