Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Sydney, NS

For one person, living is cheaper in Sydney, NS: $1,595 a month against $1,855 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $3,100 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
78

Cost of Living Index in Sydney, NS
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Sydney, NS Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,855

/mo nomad

Sydney, NS

🇨🇦 Canada

$1,595

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Sydney, NS

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 Sydney, NS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,855 per month in Panama City vs $1,595 in Sydney, NS, rent included.

Panama City $1,855
Sydney, NS $1,595

A couple spends around $2,804 per month in Panama City vs $2,519 in Sydney, NS, rent included.

Panama City $2,804
Sydney, NS $2,519

A family of three spends $3,753 per month in Panama City vs $3,443 in Sydney, NS, rent included.

Panama City $3,753
Sydney, NS $3,443

Panama City costs about 16% more than Sydney, NS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Panama City and Sydney, NS sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Sydney, NS by 18%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.63 PAB 11.63

$11.02 CA$15.57

5.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.92 PAB 47.92

$63.5 CA$89.7

-24.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$7.36 CA$10.40

8.15%

Cappuccino

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$2.84 CA$4.02

48.59%

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

$2.01 PAB 2.01

$2.29 CA$3.23

-12.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 PAB 1.56

$2.06 CA$2.91

-24.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 PAB 3.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

$2.24 CA$3.16

-17.41%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$2.48 CA$3.51

3.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$2.41 CA$3.41

44.40%

Eggs

$2.69 PAB 2.69

$3.19 CA$4.50

-15.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.57 PAB 12.57

$6.29 CA$8.89

99.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 PAB 6.83

$8.04 CA$11.36

-15.05%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.58 PAB 10.58

$13.06 CA$18.47

-18.99%

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

$7.04 CA$9.96

-40.63%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.19 CA$1.68

53.78%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.20 PAB 4.20

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 PAB 4.03

$1.43 CA$2.02

181.82%

Potato (1kg)

$3.48 PAB 3.48

$0.78 CA$1.10

346.15%

Onion (1kg)

$4.22 PAB 4.22

$1.95 CA$2.76

116.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

$6.41 CA$9.06

-62.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 PAB 1.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.14 PAB 6.14

$17.79 CA$25.15

-65.49%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.30 PAB 11.30

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 PAB 1.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 PAB 2.73

$4.21 CA$5.96

-35.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

$1.08 CA$1.53

-69.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.23 PAB 21.23

$47.58 CA$67.3

-55.38%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

$4.10 CA$5.80

-38.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 PAB 1.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.78 PAB 21.78

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 PAB 1.25

$1.17 CA$1.66

6.84%

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

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

$25.6K CA$36.2K

-17.07%

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

$21.0K PAB 21.0K

$19.0K CA$26.9K

10.48%

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

$130 PAB 130

$88.1 CA$124

47.44%

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

$28.13 PAB 28.13

$34.80 CA$49.20

-19.17%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.21 PAB 48.21

$73.5 CA$104

-34.36%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.78 PAB 45.78

$47.87 CA$67.7

-4.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.92 PAB 34.92

$3.40 CA$4.80

927.06%

Cinema Ticket

$8.67 PAB 8.67

$6.93 CA$9.80

25.11%

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

$544 PAB 544

$698 CA$987

-22.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,697 PAB 9,697

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.8 PAB 66.8

$67.6 CA$95.6

-1.32%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.14 PAB 49.14

$66.2 CA$93.6

-25.75%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.9 PAB 93.9

$99.2 CA$140

-5.36%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 PAB 112

$105 CA$149

6.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,257 PAB 1,257

$900 CA$1,273

39.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$875 PAB 875

$709 CA$1,002

23.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,155 PAB 2,155

$1,770 CA$2,503

21.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,564 PAB 1,564

$1,367 CA$1,932

14.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,122 PAB 3,122

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,709 PAB 1,709

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$916 PAB 916

$2,501 CA$3,536

-63.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

5.8

10.17%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 10, 2026

Last update for Sydney, NS: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$875 47.2%

Sydney, NS

$709 44.5% 19% $166

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$325 17.5%

Sydney, NS

$258 * 16.2% 20.8% $68

Eating Out

Panama City

$207 11.1%

Sydney, NS

$162 * 10.1% 21.8% $45

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$206 11.1%

Sydney, NS

$196 12.3% 4.8% $9.9

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$145 7.8%

Sydney, NS

$152 9.5% 5.3% $7.6

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$63 3.4%

Sydney, NS

$62 3.9% 2.2% $1.4

Getting Around

Panama City

$34 1.9%

Sydney, NS

$56 * 3.5% 62.8% $22

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 $900 in Sydney, NS. 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 173% higher in Sydney, NS, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City versus $63.0 in Sydney, NS. Groceries tell a different story – $325 in Panama City vs $258 in Sydney, NS – so Sydney, NS wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇨🇦 Sydney, NS

🕒 Local time

15:28 3:28 PM

17:28 5:28 PM

2 h ahead of Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

30,960

💱 Currency

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

Canadian Dollar CAD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.89 EUR

1 CAD = 0.707 USD

1 CAD = 0.629 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇦 Panamanian Balboa (B/.)

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).

USD to PAB in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Panama City Sydney, NS 4,520 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Sydney, NS

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 Sydney, NS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Panama City is pricier by about 16%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,783 per month in Panama City and $2,392 in Sydney, NS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sydney, NS, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 26% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $63.0 in Sydney, NS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sydney, NS, where all-in costs run around $1,595, than in Panama City at $1,855. In Sydney, NS it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Sydney, NS – 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 Sydney, NS. 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.