Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Powell River, BC

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $2,305 in Powell River, BC, rent and utilities included – about $5,400 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

90

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index
112

Cost of Living Index in Powell River, BC
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Powell River, BC Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,855

/mo nomad

Powell River, BC

🇨🇦 Canada

$2,305

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Powell River, 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 Powell River, BC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $2,305 in Powell River, BC, rent included.

Panama City $1,855
Powell River, BC $2,305

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $3,329 in Powell River, BC, rent included.

Panama City $2,804
Powell River, BC $3,329

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $4,353 in Powell River, BC, rent included.

Panama City $3,753
Powell River, BC $4,353

Panama City is about 20% cheaper than Powell River, BC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Panama City and Powell River, BC sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Powell River, BC by 71%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.63 PAB 11.63

$17.43 CA$24.63

-33.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.92 PAB 47.92

$63.8 CA$90.3

-24.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$13.40 CA$18.94

-40.60%

Cappuccino

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$3.91 CA$5.53

7.93%

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

$2.01 PAB 2.01

$2.14 CA$3.03

-6.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 PAB 1.56

$2.08 CA$2.93

-25.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

$4.86 CA$6.87

-30.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 PAB 3.94

$6.50 CA$9.19

-39.38%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

$3.08 CA$4.35

-39.94%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$3.22 CA$4.55

-20.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$5.28 CA$7.47

-34.09%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

$4.54 CA$6.41

-40.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.57 PAB 12.57

$21.61 CA$30.55

-41.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 PAB 6.83

$16.08 CA$22.73

-57.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.58 PAB 10.58

$9.30 CA$13.15

13.76%

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

$4.04 CA$5.71

3.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.38 CA$1.95

32.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 PAB 4.20

$4.31 CA$6.09

-2.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 PAB 4.03

$4.57 CA$6.46

-11.82%

Potato (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$3.19 CA$4.51

9.09%

Onion (1kg)

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$3.07 CA$4.35

37.46%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

$2.76 CA$3.90

-12.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 PAB 1.69

$1.61 CA$2.28

4.97%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 PAB 6.14

$15.92 CA$22.51

-61.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.30 PAB 11.30

$13.84 CA$19.57

-18.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 PAB 1.42

$4.68 CA$6.62

-69.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 PAB 2.73

$3.02 CA$4.26

-9.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

$1.63 CA$2.31

-79.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.23 PAB 21.23

$35.13 CA$49.66

-39.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

$3.07 CA$4.34

-17.92%

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

$22.57 CA$31.91

-3.50%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 PAB 1.25

$1.25 CA$1.76

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

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

$24.3K CA$34.4K

-12.63%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

$22.1K CA$31.2K

-4.84%

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

$130 PAB 130

$150 CA$212

-13.45%

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

$28.13 PAB 28.13

$52.3 CA$73.9

-46.16%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.21 PAB 48.21

$70.8 CA$100

-31.88%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.78 PAB 45.78

$68.7 CA$97.1

-33.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.92 PAB 34.92

$17.88 CA$25.28

95.30%

Cinema Ticket

$8.67 PAB 8.67

$10.59 CA$14.97

-18.13%

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

$544 PAB 544

$740 CA$1,046

-26.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,697 PAB 9,697

$14.6K CA$20.6K

-33.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.8 PAB 66.8

$43.41 CA$61.4

53.77%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.14 PAB 49.14

$51.8 CA$73.2

-5.14%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.9 PAB 93.9

$91.2 CA$129

2.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 PAB 112

$125 CA$177

-10.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,257 PAB 1,257

$1,195 CA$1,689

5.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$875 PAB 875

$1,022 CA$1,444

-14.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,155 PAB 2,155

$1,835 CA$2,593

17.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,564 PAB 1,564

$1,515 CA$2,142

3.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,122 PAB 3,122

$4,674 CA$6,607

-33.20%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,709 PAB 1,709

$3,293 CA$4,655

-48.09%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$916 PAB 916

$2,557 CA$3,615

-64.18%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

5.67

12.70%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Powell River, BC: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$875 47.2%

Powell River, BC

$1K 44.3% 16.8% $147

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$325 17.5%

Powell River, BC

$447 19.4% 37.5% $122

Eating Out

Panama City

$207 11.1%

Powell River, BC

$281 12.2% 35.8% $74

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$206 11.1%

Powell River, BC

$273 11.8% 32.4% $67

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$145 7.8%

Powell River, BC

$140 6.1% 3% $4.3

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$63 3.4%

Powell River, BC

$90 3.9% 42.4% $27

Getting Around

Panama City

$34 1.9%

Powell River, BC

$53 2.3% 53.6% $18

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $1,195 in Powell River, 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 179% higher in Powell River, 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 $64.0 in Powell River, BC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $447 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇨🇦 Powell River, BC

🕒 Local time

22:23 10:23 PM

20:23 8:23 PM

2 h behind Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

13,157

💱 Currency

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

Canadian Dollar CAD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.89 EUR

1 CAD = 0.707 USD

1 CAD = 0.629 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇦 Panamanian Balboa (B/.)

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

USD to PAB in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Panama City Powell River, BC 6,150 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Powell River, 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 Powell River, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Powell River, BC is pricier by about 24%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $3,458 in Powell River, BC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Groceries cost about 38% more in Powell River, BC, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $64.0 in Powell River, BC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Powell River, BC at $2,305. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Powell River, BC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

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 Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Powell River, BC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.