Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Santa Cruz, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,837 a month against $4,316 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent and utilities included – about $29,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

90

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index
211

Cost of Living Index in Santa Cruz, CA
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Santa Cruz, CA Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,837

/mo nomad

Santa Cruz, CA

🇺🇸 United States

$4,316

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Santa Cruz, CA

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 Santa Cruz, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,837 per month in Panama City vs $4,316 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent included.

Panama City $1,837
Santa Cruz, CA $4,316

A couple spends around $2,825 per month in Panama City vs $6,246 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent included.

Panama City $2,825
Santa Cruz, CA $6,246

A family of three spends $3,812 per month in Panama City vs $8,177 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent included.

Panama City $3,812
Santa Cruz, CA $8,177

Panama City is about 57% cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Panama City and Santa Cruz, CA sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Santa Cruz, CA by 222%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.34 PAB 11.34

$24.94 $24.94

-54.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.85 PAB 47.85

$99.7 $99.7

-51.98%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.07 PAB 8.07

$14.73 $14.73

-45.21%

Cappuccino

$4.02 PAB 4.02

$5.83 $5.83

-31.05%

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

$1.94 PAB 1.94

$3.46 $3.46

-43.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 PAB 1.62

$2.42 $2.42

-33.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.26 PAB 3.26

$8.18 $8.18

-60.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.99 PAB 3.99

$8.04 $8.04

-50.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.39 $1.39

31.65%

White Bread (500g)

$2.57 PAB 2.57

$4.75 $4.75

-45.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.33 PAB 3.33

$7.81 $7.81

-57.36%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

$6.37 $6.37

-57.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.33 PAB 12.33

$26.58 $26.58

-53.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.69 PAB 6.69

$16.84 $16.84

-60.27%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.40 PAB 10.40

$17.62 $17.62

-40.98%

Apples (1kg)

$4.16 PAB 4.16

$7.78 $7.78

-46.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 PAB 1.84

$2.27 $2.27

-18.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

$8.80 $8.80

-52.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.08 PAB 4.08

$6.61 $6.61

-38.28%

Potato (1kg)

$3.50 PAB 3.50

$4.49 $4.49

-22.05%

Onion (1kg)

$4.37 PAB 4.37

$3.03 $3.03

44.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.34 PAB 2.34

$5.10 $5.10

-54.12%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 PAB 1.75

$2.96 $2.96

-40.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.06 PAB 6.06

$11.82 $11.82

-48.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.72 PAB 11.72

$25.49 $25.49

-54.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 PAB 1.37

$2.17 $2.17

-36.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 PAB 2.84

$3.27 $3.27

-13.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 PAB 0.36

$1.99 $1.99

-81.91%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.96 PAB 20.96

$64.5 $64.5

-67.51%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

$3.29 $3.29

-23.40%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 PAB 1.79

$2.47 $2.47

-27.53%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.01 PAB 22.01

$39.30 $39.30

-43.99%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 PAB 1.25

$1.54 $1.54

-18.83%

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

$21.5K PAB 21.5K

$37.0K $37.0K

-41.87%

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

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

$26.3K $26.3K

-19.33%

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

$131 PAB 131

$373 $373

-64.87%

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

$27.68 PAB 27.68

$57.8 $57.8

-52.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.59 PAB 48.59

$68.4 $68.4

-29.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.11 PAB 46.11

$78.0 $78.0

-40.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.01 PAB 35.01

$12.74 $12.74

174.80%

Cinema Ticket

$8.73 PAB 8.73

$15.71 $15.71

-44.43%

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

$551 PAB 551

$2,499 $2,499

-77.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,560 PAB 9,560

$29.6K $29.6K

-67.67%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.6 PAB 67.6

$68.0 $68.0

-0.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.03 PAB 48.03

$48.64 $48.64

-1.25%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.9 PAB 94.9

$93.4 $93.4

1.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 PAB 113

$158 $158

-28.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,238 PAB 1,238

$3,049 $3,049

-59.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$873 PAB 873

$2,524 $2,524

-65.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,197 PAB 2,197

$4,860 $4,860

-54.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,538 PAB 1,538

$4,160 $4,160

-63.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,116 PAB 3,116

$8,227 $8,227

-62.13%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,725 PAB 1,725

$11.3K $11.3K

-84.80%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$934 PAB 934

$5,485 $5,485

-82.96%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

6.47

-1.24%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Last update for Santa Cruz, CA: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$873 47.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$2.5K 57.6% 189% $1.7K

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$324 17.5%

Santa Cruz, CA

$599 13.7% 84.9% $275

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$207 11.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$500 11.4% 141% $292

Eating Out

Panama City

$202 10.9%

Santa Cruz, CA

$394 9% 95.4% $192

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$146 7.9%

Santa Cruz, CA

$166 3.8% 13.7% $20

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$64 3.4%

Santa Cruz, CA

$109 2.5% 72.2% $46

Getting Around

Panama City

$34 1.8%

Santa Cruz, CA

$88 2% 160% $54

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,238 in Panama City versus $3,049 in Santa Cruz, CA. 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 487% higher in Santa Cruz, CA, 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 $100 in Santa Cruz, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $324 vs $599 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇺🇸 Santa Cruz, CA

🕒 Local time

00:47 12:47 AM

22:47 10:47 PM

2 h behind Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

64,220

💱 Currency

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.892 EUR

1 USD = 0.892 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 October 12, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.892 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

USD to PAB in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Panama City Santa Cruz, CA 5,280 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Santa Cruz, CA

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 Santa Cruz, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Santa Cruz, CA is pricier by about 135%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,756 per month in Panama City and $6,474 in Santa Cruz, CA. 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 85% more in Santa Cruz, CA, 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 $100 in Santa Cruz, CA. 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 $1,837, than in Santa Cruz, CA at $4,316. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Cruz, CA 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, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Cruz, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.