Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Silver City, NM

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,972 a month against $2,565 in Silver City, NM, rent and utilities included – about $7,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City, Panama
Silver City, NM, United States
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,972
/mo nomad
Silver City, NM
🇺🇸 United States
$2,565
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,972 per month in Panama City vs $2,565 in Silver City, NM, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,972
  • Silver City, NM $2,565

A couple spends around $2,930 per month in Panama City vs $3,793 in Silver City, NM, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,930
  • Silver City, NM $3,793

A family of three spends $3,888 per month in Panama City vs $5,022 in Silver City, NM, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,888
  • Silver City, NM $5,022

Panama City is about 23% cheaper than Silver City, NM, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and Silver City, NM sit above the global median – Panama City by 46%, Silver City, NM by 90%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.37 PAB 11.37
$19.56 $19.56
-41.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.69 PAB 46.69
$79.3 $79.3
-41.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.98 PAB 7.98
$13.19 $13.19
-39.50%
Cappuccino
$4.12 PAB 4.12
$5.25 $5.25
-21.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 PAB 2.01
$2.79 $2.79
-27.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 PAB 1.57
$1.37 $1.37
14.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.28 PAB 3.28
$6.99 $6.99
-53.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88 PAB 3.88
$7.06 $7.06
-45.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.82 PAB 1.82
$0.80 $0.80
127.50%
White Bread (500g)
$2.61 PAB 2.61
$3.39 $3.39
-23.01%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.45 PAB 3.45
$2.59 $2.59
33.20%
Eggs
$2.68 PAB 2.68
$4.55 $4.55
-41.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.42 PAB 12.42
$13.26 $13.26
-6.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.73 PAB 6.73
$11.06 $11.06
-39.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.44 PAB 10.44
$16.98 $16.98
-38.52%
Apples (1kg)
$4.21 PAB 4.21
$4.26 $4.26
-1.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 PAB 1.95
$1.70 $1.70
14.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.07 PAB 4.07
$3.79 $3.79
7.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.02 PAB 4.02
$4.18 $4.18
-3.83%
Potato (1kg)
$3.46 PAB 3.46
$2.57 $2.57
34.63%
Onion (1kg)
$4.42 PAB 4.42
$2.45 $2.45
80.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 PAB 2.43
$2.17 $2.17
11.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 PAB 1.72
$1.51 $1.51
13.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04 PAB 6.04
$10.95 $10.95
-44.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.68 PAB 11.68
$13.59 $13.59
-14.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.41 PAB 1.41
$2.51 $2.51
-43.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 PAB 2.74
$3.72 $3.72
-26.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.96 $1.96
-83.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.65 PAB 20.65
$56.4 $56.4
-63.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.45 PAB 2.45
$2.83 $2.83
-13.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 PAB 1.76
$1.39 $1.39
26.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.86 PAB 21.86
$36.38 $36.38
-39.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 PAB 1.20
$0.91 $0.91
31.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K PAB 24.6K
$36.6K $36.6K
-32.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K PAB 20.9K
$22.3K $22.3K
-6.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$132 PAB 132
$201 $201
-34.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.89 PAB 27.89
$62.2 $62.2
-55.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.10 PAB 49.10
$73.7 $73.7
-33.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.53 PAB 44.53
$35.78 $35.78
24.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.01 PAB 34.01
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.70 PAB 8.70
$12.93 $12.93
-32.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$537 PAB 537
$1,068 $1,068
-49.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.5K PAB 20.5K
$14.9K $14.9K
37.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.8 PAB 65.8
$55.7 $55.7
18.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.45 PAB 48.45
$43.23 $43.23
12.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.4 PAB 95.4
$97.4 $97.4
-2.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 PAB 114
$115 $115
-1.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,405 PAB 1,405
$1,106 $1,106
27.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$994 PAB 994
$1,257 $1,257
-20.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,221 PAB 2,221
$2,038 $2,038
8.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,714 PAB 1,714
$2,132 $2,132
-19.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,139 PAB 3,139
$1,938 $1,938
61.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,724 PAB 1,724
$1,921 $1,921
-10.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
Silver City, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$936 PAB 936
$2,994 $2,994
-68.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.61
-3.33%

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

Last update for Panama City: November 3, 2026

Last update for Silver City, NM: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$994
Silver City, NM
$1.3K 26.4% $263
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$326
Silver City, NM
$371 13.8% $45
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$209
Silver City, NM
$337 61.4% $128
Eating Out
Panama City
$203
Silver City, NM
$325 60.1% $122
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
Silver City, NM
$140 3.6% $5.2
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$62
Silver City, NM
$62 0.5% $0.3
Getting Around
Panama City
$33
Silver City, NM
$74 123% $41

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,405 in Panama City versus $1,106 in Silver City, 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 Silver City, NM are about 3.2 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Panama City versus $79 in Silver City, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $326 vs $371 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇺🇸 Silver City, NM
🕒 Local time
14:23 2:23 PM
12:23 12:23 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
9,700
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.895 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.895 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City Silver City, NM 3,960 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • Silver City, 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 Silver City, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Silver City, NM?
Yes – Silver City, NM is pricier by about 30%, 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 $2,958 per month in Panama City and $3,848 in Silver City, NM. 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 Silver City, NM, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,106 there versus $1,405 in Panama City.
How do food prices compare in Panama City and in Silver City, NM?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Silver City, NM, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is eating out cheaper in Panama City or in Silver City, NM?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Panama City and $79 in Silver City, NM. 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 Silver City, NM?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,972, than in Silver City, NM at $2,565. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Silver City, NM it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Panama City or in Silver City, NM?
It depends on your priorities. Panama City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,972 in Panama City to $2,565 in Silver City, NM. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Silver City, NM 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?