Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Rio Rancho, NM

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,972 a month against $2,621 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent and utilities included – about $7,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

95

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index
125

Cost of Living Index in Rio Rancho, NM
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Rio Rancho, NM Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,972

/mo nomad

Rio Rancho, NM

🇺🇸 United States

$2,621

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Rio Rancho, NM

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 Rio Rancho, NM actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,972 per month in Panama City vs $2,621 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

Panama City $1,972
Rio Rancho, NM $2,621

A couple spends around $2,930 per month in Panama City vs $3,842 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

Panama City $2,930
Rio Rancho, NM $3,842

A family of three spends $3,888 per month in Panama City vs $5,062 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

Panama City $3,888
Rio Rancho, NM $5,062

Panama City is about 25% cheaper than Rio Rancho, NM, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Panama City and Rio Rancho, NM sit above the global median – Panama City by 46%, Rio Rancho, NM by 94%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.37 PAB 11.37

$17.44 $17.44

-34.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.69 PAB 46.69

$78.4 $78.4

-40.48%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.98 PAB 7.98

$11.82 $11.82

-32.49%

Cappuccino

$4.12 PAB 4.12

$5.46 $5.46

-24.54%

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

$2.01 PAB 2.01

$2.85 $2.85

-29.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 PAB 1.57

$2.35 $2.35

-33.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.28 PAB 3.28

$6.08 $6.08

-46.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.88 PAB 3.88

$7.08 $7.08

-45.20%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 PAB 1.82

$1.06 $1.06

71.70%

White Bread (500g)

$2.61 PAB 2.61

$3.16 $3.16

-17.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.45 PAB 3.45

$4.63 $4.63

-25.49%

Eggs

$2.68 PAB 2.68

$4.20 $4.20

-36.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.42 PAB 12.42

$11.58 $11.58

7.25%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.73 PAB 6.73

$19.64 $19.64

-65.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.44 PAB 10.44

$18.46 $18.46

-43.45%

Apples (1kg)

$4.21 PAB 4.21

$5.42 $5.42

-22.32%

Banana (1kg)

$1.95 PAB 1.95

$1.63 $1.63

19.63%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.07 PAB 4.07

$3.89 $3.89

4.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.02 PAB 4.02

$4.10 $4.10

-1.95%

Potato (1kg)

$3.46 PAB 3.46

$1.13 $1.13

206.19%

Onion (1kg)

$4.42 PAB 4.42

$3.34 $3.34

32.34%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.43 PAB 2.43

$2.02 $2.02

20.30%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 PAB 1.72

$2.54 $2.54

-32.28%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.04 PAB 6.04

$10.93 $10.93

-44.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.68 PAB 11.68

$15.90 $15.90

-26.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.41 PAB 1.41

$2.10 $2.10

-32.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 PAB 2.74

$3.57 $3.57

-23.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

$1.92 $1.92

-82.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.65 PAB 20.65

$60.7 $60.7

-65.97%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 PAB 2.45

$3.45 $3.45

-28.99%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 PAB 1.76

$2.11 $2.11

-16.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.86 PAB 21.86

$35.16 $35.16

-37.83%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 PAB 1.20

$1.04 $1.04

15.38%

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

$24.6K PAB 24.6K

$29.7K $29.7K

-17.30%

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

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

$25.5K $25.5K

-18.10%

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

$132 PAB 132

$170 $170

-22.58%

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

$27.89 PAB 27.89

$44.41 $44.41

-37.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.10 PAB 49.10

$69.1 $69.1

-28.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.53 PAB 44.53

$40.50 $40.50

9.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.01 PAB 34.01

Cinema Ticket

$8.70 PAB 8.70

$18.05 $18.05

-51.80%

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

$537 PAB 537

$1,345 $1,345

-60.08%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.5K PAB 20.5K

$22.6K $22.6K

-9.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.8 PAB 65.8

$55.2 $55.2

19.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.45 PAB 48.45

$58.1 $58.1

-16.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 PAB 95.4

$80.3 $80.3

18.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 PAB 114

$120 $120

-5.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,405 PAB 1,405

$1,594 $1,594

-11.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$994 PAB 994

$1,294 $1,294

-23.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,221 PAB 2,221

$2,520 $2,520

-11.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,714 PAB 1,714

$2,090 $2,090

-18.00%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,139 PAB 3,139

$3,005 $3,005

4.44%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,724 PAB 1,724

$2,328 $2,328

-25.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$936 PAB 936

$5,911 $5,911

-84.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

6.64

-3.77%

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

Last update for Panama City: November 3, 2026

Last update for Rio Rancho, NM: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$994 50.4%

Rio Rancho, NM

$1.3K 49.4% 30.2% $300

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$326 16.5%

Rio Rancho, NM

$437 16.7% 34.2% $111

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$209 10.6%

Rio Rancho, NM

$284 10.8% 35.9% $75

Eating Out

Panama City

$203 10.3%

Rio Rancho, NM

$306 11.7% 50.7% $103

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$145 7.4%

Rio Rancho, NM

$141 5.4% 2.8% $4.1

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$62 3.1%

Rio Rancho, NM

$77 2.9% 23.7% $15

Getting Around

Panama City

$33 1.7%

Rio Rancho, NM

$82 3.1% 148% $49

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,405 in Panama City versus $1,594 in Rio Rancho, NM. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Rio Rancho, NM are about 6.3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Panama City versus $78 in Rio Rancho, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $326 vs $437 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇺🇸 Rio Rancho, NM

🕒 Local time

00:50 12:50 AM

22:50 10:50 PM

2 h behind Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

110,660

💱 Currency

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.891 EUR

1 USD = 0.891 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇦 Panamanian Balboa (B/.)

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.891 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

USD to PAB in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Panama City Rio Rancho, NM 4,010 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Rio Rancho, NM

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 Rio Rancho, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Rio Rancho, NM is pricier by about 33%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,958 per month in Panama City and $3,932 in Rio Rancho, NM. 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,405 there versus $1,594 in Rio Rancho, NM.

Groceries cost about 34% more in Rio Rancho, NM, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Panama City and $78 in Rio Rancho, NM. 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 $1,972, than in Rio Rancho, NM at $2,621. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Rio Rancho, NM 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.

If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rio Rancho, NM makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.