Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama and BrazilCost of Living Comparison Between Panama and Brazil
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $800 per month in Panama vs $839 in Brazil, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,193 per month in Panama vs $1,336 in Brazil, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,586 per month in Panama vs $1,832 in Brazil, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Panama is roughly 5% lower than in Brazil on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Panama and Brazil are more affordable than the global median – Panama 42% lower, Brazil 39% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.03PAB 8.03
$6.47R$32.98
24.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.89PAB 45.89
$33.23R$169
38.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.20PAB 8.20
$7.84R$39.94
4.59%
Cappuccino
$3.93PAB 3.93
$2.08R$10.57
88.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56PAB 1.56
$1.19R$6.06
31.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31PAB 1.31
$0.77R$3.91
70.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44PAB 2.44
$1.92R$9.75
27.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90PAB 3.90
$2.84R$14.44
37.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.81PAB 1.81
$1.07R$5.45
69.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.36PAB 2.36
$1.70R$8.63
38.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.86PAB 2.86
$1.23R$6.26
132.52%
Eggs
$2.56PAB 2.56
$2.17R$11.05
17.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.41PAB 12.41
$9.03R$45.98
37.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.96PAB 6.96
$4.08R$20.76
70.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.87PAB 9.87
$8.27R$42.13
19.35%
Apples(1kg)
$4.24PAB 4.24
$2.22R$11.33
90.99%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49PAB 1.49
$1.38R$7.05
7.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.34PAB 3.34
$1.19R$6.04
180.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.68PAB 3.68
$1.57R$7.98
134.39%
Potato(1kg)
$2.46PAB 2.46
$1.15R$5.87
113.91%
Onion(1kg)
$3.24PAB 3.24
$1.05R$5.36
208.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.24PAB 2.24
$0.84R$4.27
166.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.59PAB 1.59
$0.79R$4.02
101.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.84PAB 5.84
$2.38R$12.14
145.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.08PAB 10.08
$7.55R$38.43
33.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39PAB 1.39
$1.28R$6.52
8.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35PAB 2.35
$2.39R$12.20
-1.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama
Brazil
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52PAB 0.52
$0.94R$4.81
-44.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.16PAB 21.16
$44.09R$225
-52.01%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.47PAB 2.47
$1.26R$6.42
96.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.86PAB 1.86
$0.99R$5.03
87.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.19PAB 22.19
$7.75R$39.46
186.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13PAB 1.13
$1.19R$6.06
-5.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5KPAB 21.5K
$23.3KR$118.8K
-7.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8KPAB 22.8K
$31.8KR$162.2K
-28.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$115PAB 115
$79.9R$407
44.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.80PAB 26.80
$12.78R$65.1
109.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.78PAB 47.78
$20.61R$105
131.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.45PAB 49.45
$24.72R$126
100.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.33PAB 29.33
$25.94R$132
13.07%
Cinema Ticket
$7.86PAB 7.86
$6.74R$34.33
16.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$546PAB 546
$327R$1,665
67.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,950PAB 7,950
$8,584R$43.7K
-7.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3PAB 51.3
$50.9R$259
0.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.17PAB 38.17
$46.69R$238
-18.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7PAB 89.7
$87.1R$444
2.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118PAB 118
$69.4R$353
69.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama
Brazil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$937PAB 937
$380R$1,937
146.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$728PAB 728
$239R$1,217
204.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,675PAB 1,675
$724R$3,690
131.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,212PAB 1,212
$483R$2,458
151.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,983PAB 2,983
$1,825R$9,297
63.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,684PAB 1,684
$1,239R$6,313
35.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$842PAB 842
$519R$2,641
62.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.35
11.16
-43.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Panama: August 31, 2026
Last update for Brazil: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $340 in Panama vs $339 in Brazil. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,276 in Panama City and $500 in Brasilia.
💰Average salary: $719 in Panama vs $482 in Brazil. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Public transport is 1200% more expensive in Brazil.
⭐Salaries are 49% higher in Panama, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Panama.
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 vs Brazil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Brazil and Panama compare in cost of living?
Panama is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 5% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Brazil and Panama?
Housing costs more in Brazil, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Brazil consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Brazil or Panama?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Panama, contributing to the overall 5% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $2,000 go in Brazil compared to Panama?
$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Panama, but in Brazil it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Brazil and in Panama?
Panama is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.