Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Port Coquitlam, BC

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $2,485 in Port Coquitlam, BC, rent and utilities included – about $7,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Port Coquitlam, BC
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,485
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Port Coquitlam, BC

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Panama City and in Port Coquitlam, BC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $2,485 in Port Coquitlam, BC, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Port Coquitlam, BC $2,485

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $3,403 in Port Coquitlam, BC, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Port Coquitlam, BC $3,403

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $4,320 in Port Coquitlam, BC, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Port Coquitlam, BC $4,320

Panama City is about 25% cheaper than Port Coquitlam, BC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Panama City and Port Coquitlam, BC sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Port Coquitlam, BC by 84%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$14.22 CA$20.10
-18.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$71.0 CA$100
-32.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$8.57 CA$12.11
-7.12%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$3.40 CA$4.81
24.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$2.12 CA$2.99
-5.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$1.58 CA$2.24
-1.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$5.65 CA$7.99
-40.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$6.36 CA$8.99
-38.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$1.77 CA$2.50
4.52%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$2.48 CA$3.51
3.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$3.60 CA$5.09
-3.33%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$3.13 CA$4.42
-14.06%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$11.78 CA$16.66
6.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$12.49 CA$17.65
-45.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$14.17 CA$20.03
-25.34%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$3.96 CA$5.60
5.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$1.32 CA$1.87
38.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$3.76 CA$5.32
11.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$3.92 CA$5.54
2.81%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$2.64 CA$3.74
31.82%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$2.43 CA$3.43
73.66%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$2.49 CA$3.52
-3.21%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$1.56 CA$2.21
8.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$15.64 CA$22.11
-60.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$14.07 CA$19.89
-19.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$2.64 CA$3.73
-46.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
$2.86 CA$4.04
-4.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$2.03 CA$2.87
-83.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
$109 CA$154
-80.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$2.67 CA$3.78
-5.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$1.62 CA$2.29
14.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$30.78 CA$43.51
-29.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.38 CA$1.96
-9.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$27.2K CA$38.5K
-22.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$20.0K CA$28.3K
4.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$80.6 CA$114
61.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$37.11 CA$52.5
-24.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$51.0 CA$72.1
-5.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
$20.98 CA$29.66
118.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$10.56 CA$14.93
-17.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$1,106 CA$1,563
-50.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
$20.2K CA$28.6K
-52.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$56.9 CA$80.4
17.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$32.20 CA$45.52
52.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$83.0 CA$117
13.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$93.4 CA$132
19.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$1,568 CA$2,216
-19.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$1,431 CA$2,023
-38.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$2,128 CA$3,009
1.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$1,856 CA$2,624
-15.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,122 PAB 3,122
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,709 PAB 1,709
$5,490 CA$7,761
-68.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
$2,284 CA$3,229
-59.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
4.28
49.30%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Port Coquitlam, BC: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Port Coquitlam, BC
$1.4K 63.6% $556
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Port Coquitlam, BC
$361 10.9% $35
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Port Coquitlam, BC
$236 14.2% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Port Coquitlam, BC
$169 18.2% $38
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Port Coquitlam, BC
$119 17.4% $25
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Port Coquitlam, BC
$42 33.3% $21
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Port Coquitlam, BC
$128 271% $93

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $1,568 in Port Coquitlam, BC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 149% higher in Port Coquitlam, BC, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City versus $71.0 in Port Coquitlam, BC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $361 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇨🇦 Port Coquitlam, BC
🕒 Local time
14:18 2:18 PM
12:18 12:18 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
61,498
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.889 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Port Coquitlam, BC 6,010 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Port Coquitlam, BC

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Port Coquitlam, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Coquitlam, BC cheaper than Panama City?
Yes – Port Coquitlam, BC is pricier by about 34%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $3,728 in Port Coquitlam, BC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Panama City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Panama City and in Port Coquitlam, BC?
Groceries cost about 11% more in Port Coquitlam, BC, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is eating out cheaper in Panama City or in Port Coquitlam, BC?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $71.0 in Port Coquitlam, BC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Port Coquitlam, BC?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Port Coquitlam, BC at $2,485. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Port Coquitlam, BC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Panama City or Port Coquitlam, BC more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Panama City – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Panama City or Port Coquitlam, BC?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Port Coquitlam, BC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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