Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama City and Williams Lake, BC

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,019 in Williams Lake, BC, rent and utilities included – about $1,900 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

90

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index
98

Cost of Living Index in Williams Lake, BC
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Williams Lake, BC Living Index

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Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,857

/mo nomad

Williams Lake, BC

🇨🇦 Canada

$2,019

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Panama City and in Williams Lake, BC

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 Williams Lake, BC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,857 per month in Panama City vs $2,019 in Williams Lake, BC, rent included.

Panama City $1,857
Williams Lake, BC $2,019

A couple spends around $2,815 per month in Panama City vs $2,916 in Williams Lake, BC, rent included.

Panama City $2,815
Williams Lake, BC $2,916

A family of three spends $3,773 per month in Panama City vs $3,814 in Williams Lake, BC, rent included.

Panama City $3,773
Williams Lake, BC $3,814

Panama City is about 8% cheaper than Williams Lake, BC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Panama City and Williams Lake, BC sit above the global median – Panama City by 37%, Williams Lake, BC by 49%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.68 PAB 11.68

$17.93 CA$25.35

-34.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.76 PAB 47.76

$65.2 CA$92.1

-26.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.12 PAB 8.12

$10.44 CA$14.76

-22.22%

Cappuccino

$4.23 PAB 4.23

$3.67 CA$5.20

15.26%

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

$1.92 PAB 1.92

$2.05 CA$2.90

-6.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 PAB 1.58

$1.66 CA$2.35

-4.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.31 PAB 3.31

$4.59 CA$6.48

-27.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.98 PAB 3.98

$5.55 CA$7.84

-28.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 PAB 1.92

$2.36 CA$3.34

-18.64%

White Bread (500g)

$2.63 PAB 2.63

$2.50 CA$3.54

5.20%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.39 PAB 3.39

$3.24 CA$4.58

4.63%

Eggs

$2.67 PAB 2.67

$3.44 CA$4.87

-22.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.21 PAB 12.21

$10.27 CA$14.52

18.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.91 PAB 6.91

$11.37 CA$16.07

-39.23%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.58 PAB 10.58

$15.27 CA$21.59

-30.71%

Apples (1kg)

$4.16 PAB 4.16

$3.80 CA$5.37

9.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 PAB 1.97

$1.29 CA$1.82

52.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 PAB 4.06

$3.61 CA$5.11

12.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.18 PAB 4.18

$3.85 CA$5.44

8.57%

Potato (1kg)

$3.47 PAB 3.47

$2.47 CA$3.49

40.49%

Onion (1kg)

$4.26 PAB 4.26

$2.27 CA$3.21

87.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.44 PAB 2.44

$2.35 CA$3.32

3.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 PAB 1.69

$1.43 CA$2.02

18.18%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.83 PAB 5.83

$13.95 CA$19.72

-58.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.43 PAB 11.43

$12.48 CA$17.65

-8.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.38 PAB 1.38

$2.68 CA$3.79

-48.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 PAB 2.76

$3.51 CA$4.96

-21.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 PAB 0.33

$2.33 CA$3.29

-85.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.63 PAB 20.63

$61.3 CA$86.7

-66.36%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.55 PAB 2.55

$3.32 CA$4.70

-23.19%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 PAB 1.78

$1.54 CA$2.18

15.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.17 PAB 22.17

$23.03 CA$32.56

-3.73%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 PAB 1.24

$1.22 CA$1.72

1.64%

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

$24.4K PAB 24.4K

$26.7K CA$37.8K

-8.65%

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

$21.3K PAB 21.3K

$21.0K CA$29.7K

1.47%

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

$131 PAB 131

$135 CA$190

-2.45%

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

$27.83 PAB 27.83

$32.15 CA$45.44

-13.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.32 PAB 49.32

$83.4 CA$118

-40.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.69 PAB 45.69

$41.37 CA$58.5

10.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.10 PAB 34.10

$19.29 CA$27.28

76.78%

Cinema Ticket

$8.47 PAB 8.47

$10.78 CA$15.24

-21.43%

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

$553 PAB 553

$614 CA$868

-9.85%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,719 PAB 9,719

$14.5K CA$20.6K

-33.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.4 PAB 66.4

$52.9 CA$74.8

25.60%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.39 PAB 47.39

$39.15 CA$55.3

21.05%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.7 PAB 95.7

$95.9 CA$136

-0.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 PAB 113

$93.6 CA$132

20.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,322 PAB 1,322

$935 CA$1,322

41.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$874 PAB 874

$876 CA$1,239

-0.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,153 PAB 2,153

$1,340 CA$1,895

60.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,580 PAB 1,580

$1,257 CA$1,777

25.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,097 PAB 3,097

$3,904 CA$5,520

-20.67%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,698 PAB 1,698

$3,349 CA$4,734

-49.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$914 PAB 914

$3,103 CA$4,387

-70.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

4.67

36.83%

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

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Williams Lake, BC: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Panama City

$874 47.1%

Williams Lake, BC

$876 43.4% 0.2% $2

Groceries & Markets

Panama City

$327 17.6%

Williams Lake, BC

$353 17.5% 8.1% $27

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Panama City

$208 11.2%

Williams Lake, BC

$250 12.4% 20% $42

Eating Out

Panama City

$207 11.2%

Williams Lake, BC

$268 13.3% 29.3% $61

Clothing & Footwear

Panama City

$145 7.8%

Williams Lake, BC

$127 6.3% 12.6% $18

Sport & Entertainment

Panama City

$63 3.4%

Williams Lake, BC

$63 3.1% 0.5% $0.3

Getting Around

Panama City

$33 1.8%

Williams Lake, BC

$82 4.1% 144% $48

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,322 in Panama City versus $935 in Williams Lake, BC. 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 240% higher in Williams Lake, BC, 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 $65.0 in Williams Lake, BC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $327 vs $353 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇦 Panama City

🇨🇦 Williams Lake, BC

🕒 Local time

18:32 6:32 PM

16:32 4:32 PM

2 h behind Panama City

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,086,990 Capital

10,753

💱 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 20, 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 20, 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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Highest

Between locations

Panama City Williams Lake, BC 6,150 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight

From you

Panama City
Williams Lake, BC

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 Williams Lake, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Williams Lake, BC is pricier by about 9%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,786 per month in Panama City and $3,028 in Williams Lake, BC. 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 8% more in Williams Lake, BC, 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 $65.0 in Williams Lake, BC. 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 $1,857, than in Williams Lake, BC at $2,019. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Williams Lake, BC 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, Williams Lake, BC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.