Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and The Dalles, OR

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,611 in The Dalles, OR, rent and utilities included – about $9,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
The Dalles, OR
🇺🇸 United States
$2,611
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in The Dalles, OR

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 The Dalles, OR actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,857 per month in Panama City vs $2,611 in The Dalles, OR, rent included.

  • Panama City $1,857
  • The Dalles, OR $2,611

A couple spends around $2,815 per month in Panama City vs $3,793 in The Dalles, OR, rent included.

  • Panama City $2,815
  • The Dalles, OR $3,793

A family of three spends $3,773 per month in Panama City vs $4,974 in The Dalles, OR, rent included.

  • Panama City $3,773
  • The Dalles, OR $4,974

Panama City is about 29% cheaper than The Dalles, OR, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and The Dalles, OR sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, The Dalles, OR by 93%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.68 PAB 11.68
$20.07 $20.07
-41.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.76 PAB 47.76
$96.8 $96.8
-50.68%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.12 PAB 8.12
$11.96 $11.96
-32.11%
Cappuccino
$4.23 PAB 4.23
$4.60 $4.60
-8.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 PAB 1.92
$2.44 $2.44
-21.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 PAB 1.58
$2.11 $2.11
-25.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.31 PAB 3.31
$5.04 $5.04
-34.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98 PAB 3.98
$6.90 $6.90
-42.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 PAB 1.92
$1.03 $1.03
86.41%
White Bread (500g)
$2.63 PAB 2.63
$3.26 $3.26
-19.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.39 PAB 3.39
$4.11 $4.11
-17.52%
Eggs
$2.67 PAB 2.67
$2.95 $2.95
-9.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.21 PAB 12.21
$14.43 $14.43
-15.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.91 PAB 6.91
$13.55 $13.55
-49.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.58 PAB 10.58
$10.94 $10.94
-3.29%
Apples (1kg)
$4.16 PAB 4.16
$4.80 $4.80
-13.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.97 PAB 1.97
$1.73 $1.73
13.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.06 PAB 4.06
$3.93 $3.93
3.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.18 PAB 4.18
$4.00 $4.00
4.50%
Potato (1kg)
$3.47 PAB 3.47
$2.99 $2.99
16.05%
Onion (1kg)
$4.26 PAB 4.26
$3.27 $3.27
30.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.44 PAB 2.44
$1.86 $1.86
31.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 PAB 1.69
$2.05 $2.05
-17.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.83 PAB 5.83
$11.25 $11.25
-48.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.43 PAB 11.43
$15.22 $15.22
-24.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38 PAB 1.38
$1.63 $1.63
-15.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 PAB 2.76
$2.92 $2.92
-5.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 PAB 0.33
$1.94 $1.94
-82.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.63 PAB 20.63
$44.93 $44.93
-54.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.55 PAB 2.55
$3.48 $3.48
-26.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 PAB 1.78
$2.20 $2.20
-19.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.17 PAB 22.17
$49.48 $49.48
-55.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 PAB 1.24
$1.30 $1.30
-4.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
$25.7K $25.7K
-4.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
$24.7K $24.7K
-13.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$131 PAB 131
$188 $188
-30.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.83 PAB 27.83
$59.8 $59.8
-53.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.32 PAB 49.32
$68.7 $68.7
-28.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.69 PAB 45.69
$41.77 $41.77
9.38%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.10 PAB 34.10
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.47 PAB 8.47
$11.83 $11.83
-28.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$553 PAB 553
$987 $987
-43.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,719 PAB 9,719
$16.3K $16.3K
-40.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.4 PAB 66.4
$40.22 $40.22
65.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.39 PAB 47.39
$34.38 $34.38
37.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.7 PAB 95.7
$60.1 $60.1
59.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 PAB 113
$81.5 $81.5
38.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,322 PAB 1,322
$1,612 $1,612
-17.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$874 PAB 874
$1,379 $1,379
-36.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,153 PAB 2,153
$2,526 $2,526
-14.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,580 PAB 1,580
$2,143 $2,143
-26.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,097 PAB 3,097
$3,021 $3,021
2.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,698 PAB 1,698
$2,708 $2,708
-37.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama City
The Dalles, OR
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$914 PAB 914
$3,789 $3,789
-75.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.59
-3.03%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Last update for The Dalles, OR: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Panama City
$874
The Dalles, OR
$1.4K 57.7% $505
Groceries & Markets
Panama City
$327
The Dalles, OR
$377 15.5% $51
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama City
$208
The Dalles, OR
$316 51.7% $108
Eating Out
Panama City
$207
The Dalles, OR
$309 49.1% $102
Clothing & Footwear
Panama City
$145
The Dalles, OR
$97 32.9% $48
Sport & Entertainment
Panama City
$63
The Dalles, OR
$65 4.5% $2.8
Getting Around
Panama City
$33
The Dalles, OR
$67 101% $34

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,322 in Panama City versus $1,612 in The Dalles, OR. 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 315% higher in The Dalles, OR, 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 $97.0 in The Dalles, OR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $327 vs $377 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇦 Panama City
🇺🇸 The Dalles, OR
🕒 Local time
16:22 4:22 PM
14:22 2:22 PM
2 h behind Panama City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,086,990 Capital
13,783
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PAB – Panamanian Balboa Converter

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Panama City The Dalles, OR 5,680 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Panama City
  • The Dalles, OR

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 The Dalles, OR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dalles, OR cheaper than Panama City?
Yes – The Dalles, OR is pricier by about 41%, 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 $2,786 per month in Panama City and $3,917 in The Dalles, OR. 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 Panama City, 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 The Dalles, OR?
Groceries cost about 15% more in The Dalles, OR, 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 The Dalles, OR?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Panama City and $97.0 in The Dalles, OR. 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 The Dalles, OR?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,857, than in The Dalles, OR at $2,611. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in The Dalles, OR it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Panama City or The Dalles, OR more family-friendly?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Panama City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, The Dalles, OR makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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