Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Ribeirao Preto

For one person, living is cheaper in Ribeirao Preto: $880 a month against $1,837 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $11,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,837
/mo nomad
Ribeirao Preto
🇧🇷 Brazil
$880
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Ribeirao Preto

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 Ribeirao Preto actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Panama City vs $880 in Ribeirao Preto, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,837
  • Ribeirao Preto $880

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Panama City vs $1,416 in Ribeirao Preto, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,825
  • Ribeirao Preto $1,416

A family of three spends $3,812 per month in Panama City vs $1,951 in Ribeirao Preto, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,812
  • Ribeirao Preto $1,951

Panama City costs about 109% more than Ribeirao Preto, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Panama City sits 37% above the global median, while Ribeirao Preto is 34% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.34 PAB 11.34
$7.85 R$39.20
44.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.85 PAB 47.85
$50.9 R$254
-6.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.07 PAB 8.07
$7.33 R$36.59
10.10%
Cappuccino
$4.02 PAB 4.02
$1.74 R$8.67
131.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 PAB 1.94
$0.98 R$4.89
97.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 PAB 1.62
$0.77 R$3.83
110.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.26 PAB 3.26
$1.17 R$5.83
178.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.99 PAB 3.99
$2.02 R$10.10
97.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.83 PAB 1.83
$0.98 R$4.87
86.73%
White Bread (500g)
$2.57 PAB 2.57
$1.70 R$8.48
51.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.33 PAB 3.33
$0.98 R$4.91
239.80%
Eggs
$2.69 PAB 2.69
$2.29 R$11.43
17.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.33 PAB 12.33
$10.27 R$51.3
20.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.69 PAB 6.69
$4.17 R$20.81
60.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.40 PAB 10.40
$8.85 R$44.16
17.51%
Apples (1kg)
$4.16 PAB 4.16
$2.86 R$14.26
45.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.84 PAB 1.84
$1.31 R$6.55
40.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$1.45 R$7.23
188.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.08 PAB 4.08
$1.88 R$9.36
117.02%
Potato (1kg)
$3.50 PAB 3.50
$1.26 R$6.30
177.78%
Onion (1kg)
$4.37 PAB 4.37
$0.99 R$4.93
341.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.34 PAB 2.34
$1.12 R$5.58
108.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 PAB 1.75
$0.89 R$4.46
96.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.06 PAB 6.06
$2.62 R$13.06
131.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.72 PAB 11.72
$9.16 R$45.73
27.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 PAB 1.37
$1.23 R$6.14
11.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 PAB 2.84
$1.78 R$8.89
59.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 PAB 0.36
$1.05 R$5.23
-65.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.96 PAB 20.96
$53.7 R$268
-60.97%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.52 PAB 2.52
$1.18 R$5.91
113.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.79 PAB 1.79
$1.43 R$7.16
25.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.01 PAB 22.01
$8.13 R$40.59
170.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.30 R$6.48
-3.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K PAB 21.5K
$23.3K R$116.5K
-7.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
$32.2K R$160.5K
-34.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$131 PAB 131
$85.9 R$429
52.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.68 PAB 27.68
$12.02 R$60.0
130.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.59 PAB 48.59
$18.14 R$90.5
167.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.11 PAB 46.11
$21.33 R$106
116.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.01 PAB 35.01
$24.56 R$123
42.55%
Cinema Ticket
$8.73 PAB 8.73
$7.85 R$39.20
11.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$551 PAB 551
$242 R$1,206
127.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,560 PAB 9,560
$5,936 R$29.6K
61.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.6 PAB 67.6
$53.6 R$268
26.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.03 PAB 48.03
$42.30 R$211
13.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.9 PAB 94.9
$82.5 R$412
15.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 PAB 113
$56.1 R$280
101.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,238 PAB 1,238
$267 R$1,334
363.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$873 PAB 873
$217 R$1,085
301.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,197 PAB 2,197
$512 R$2,555
329.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,538 PAB 1,538
$403 R$2,013
281.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,116 PAB 3,116
$1,302 R$6,502
139.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,725 PAB 1,725
$991 R$4,946
74.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Ribeirao Preto
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$934 PAB 934
$595 R$2,968
57.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
13.62
-53.08%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Last update for Ribeirao Preto: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$873
Ribeirao Preto
$217 75.1% $656
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$324
Ribeirao Preto
$204 37% $120
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$207
Ribeirao Preto
$116 44% $91
Eating Out
Panama City
$202
Ribeirao Preto
$123 39.2% $79
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$146
Ribeirao Preto
$106 27.5% $40
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$64
Ribeirao Preto
$37 41.7% $27
Getting Around
Panama City
$34
Ribeirao Preto
$66 95.5% $32

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,238 in Panama City versus $267 in Ribeirao Preto. 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 57% higher in Panama City, 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 $51.0 in Ribeirao Preto. Groceries tell a different story – $324 in Panama City vs $204 in Ribeirao Preto – so Ribeirao Preto wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇧🇷 Ribeirao Preto
🕒 Local time
03:52 3:52 AM
05:52 5:52 AM
2 h ahead of Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
698,642
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BRL, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.892 EUR).

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 4.99 BRL (1 BRL = 0.2 USD). 1 EUR = 5.6 BRL (1 BRL = 0.179 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Ribeirao Preto 4,820 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Ribeirao Preto

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 Ribeirao Preto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ribeirao Preto cheaper than Panama City?
Yes – Panama City is pricier by about 109%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Panama City and $1,321 in Ribeirao Preto. 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 Ribeirao Preto, 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 Ribeirao Preto?
Groceries cost about 59% 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.
Is eating out cheaper in Panama City or in Ribeirao Preto?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $51.0 in Ribeirao Preto. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Panama City or in Ribeirao Preto?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ribeirao Preto, where all-in costs run around $880, than in Panama City at $1,837. In Ribeirao Preto it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Panama City or Ribeirao Preto more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ribeirao Preto – 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 Ribeirao Preto. 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.

Panama City vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?