Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Prince George

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,855 a month against $2,068 in Prince George, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,855
/mo nomad
Prince George
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,068
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Prince George

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 Prince George actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $2,068 in Prince George, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,855
  • Prince George $2,068

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $3,230 in Prince George, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,804
  • Prince George $3,230

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $4,391 in Prince George, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,753
  • Prince George $4,391

Panama City is about 10% cheaper than Prince George, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and Prince George sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Prince George by 53%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.63 PAB 11.63
$17.19 CA$24.31
-32.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.92 PAB 47.92
$70.2 CA$99.3
-31.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 PAB 7.96
$8.38 CA$11.85
-5.01%
Cappuccino
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$3.81 CA$5.39
10.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$2.08 CA$2.94
-3.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 PAB 1.56
$2.34 CA$3.30
-33.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$5.56 CA$7.86
-39.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 PAB 3.94
$7.19 CA$10.17
-45.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.85 PAB 1.85
$1.86 CA$2.63
-0.54%
White Bread (500g)
$2.56 PAB 2.56
$2.49 CA$3.51
2.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$4.50 CA$6.37
-22.67%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$4.10 CA$5.80
-34.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.57 PAB 12.57
$6.28 CA$8.87
100.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.83 PAB 6.83
$13.90 CA$19.66
-50.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$13.80 CA$19.51
-23.33%
Apples (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$4.02 CA$5.69
3.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$2.77 CA$3.92
-33.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 PAB 4.20
$5.19 CA$7.34
-19.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.03 PAB 4.03
$3.76 CA$5.32
7.18%
Potato (1kg)
$3.48 PAB 3.48
$2.83 CA$4.01
22.97%
Onion (1kg)
$4.22 PAB 4.22
$2.26 CA$3.19
86.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 PAB 2.41
$2.96 CA$4.19
-18.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$2.07 CA$2.93
-18.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.14 PAB 6.14
$14.79 CA$20.91
-58.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.30 PAB 11.30
$10.38 CA$14.68
8.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 PAB 1.42
$5.34 CA$7.55
-73.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 PAB 2.73
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.76 CA$2.49
-81.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.23 PAB 21.23
$41.79 CA$59.1
-49.20%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$2.95 CA$4.17
-14.58%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 PAB 1.86
$1.70 CA$2.40
9.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.78 PAB 21.78
$32.29 CA$45.65
-32.55%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.32 CA$1.86
-5.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$28.1K CA$39.7K
-24.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K PAB 21.0K
$19.1K CA$27.1K
9.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 PAB 130
$171 CA$242
-24.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.13 PAB 28.13
$40.80 CA$57.7
-31.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.21 PAB 48.21
$60.7 CA$85.7
-20.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.78 PAB 45.78
$42.40 CA$59.9
7.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.92 PAB 34.92
$17.48 CA$24.71
99.77%
Cinema Ticket
$8.67 PAB 8.67
$8.93 CA$12.63
-2.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$544 PAB 544
$406 CA$574
33.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,697 PAB 9,697
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.8 PAB 66.8
$59.9 CA$84.7
11.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 PAB 49.14
$38.03 CA$53.8
29.21%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.9 PAB 93.9
$92.7 CA$131
1.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 PAB 112
$149 CA$211
-25.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 PAB 1,257
$961 CA$1,359
30.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$875 PAB 875
$872 CA$1,233
0.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,155 PAB 2,155
$1,820 CA$2,573
18.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 PAB 1,564
$1,719 CA$2,430
-9.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,122 PAB 3,122
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,709 PAB 1,709
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Prince George
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$916 PAB 916
$3,044 CA$4,303
-69.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
4.96
28.83%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Prince George: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$875
Prince George
$872 0.3% $2.6
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$325
Prince George
$381 * 17.2% $56
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
Prince George
$268 29.8% $62
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$206
Prince George
$273 32.3% $67
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Prince George
$153 5.9% $8.5
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
Prince George
$60 4.5% $2.8
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Prince George
$60 75.2% $26

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,257 in Panama City versus $961 in Prince George. 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 232% higher in Prince George, 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 $70.0 in Prince George. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $325 vs $381 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇨🇦 Prince George
🕒 Local time
16:24 4:24 PM
14:24 2:24 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
71,974
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Prince George 6,300 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Prince George

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 Prince George: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prince George cheaper than Panama City?
Yes – Prince George is pricier by about 11%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $3,102 in Prince George. 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 Prince George?
Groceries cost about 17% more in Prince George, 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 Prince George?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $70.0 in Prince George. 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 Prince George?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,855, than in Prince George at $2,068. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Prince George it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Panama City or Prince George 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 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, Prince George makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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