Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama and Brazil Cost of Living Comparison Between Panama and Brazil

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $839 per month in Panama vs $765 in Brazil, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,204 per month in Panama vs $1,223 in Brazil, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,568 per month in Panama vs $1,681 in Brazil, rent included.

Panama costs about 10% more than Brazil on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Panama and Brazil are more affordable than the global median – Panama 37% lower, Brazil 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.83 PAB 9.83
$5.34 R$26.73
84.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.27 PAB 49.27
$28.68 R$144
71.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.71 PAB 7.71
$6.33 R$31.68
21.80%
Cappuccino
$3.58 PAB 3.58
$1.77 R$8.84
102.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47 PAB 1.47
$1.08 R$5.40
36.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 PAB 1.28
$0.66 R$3.28
93.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.19 PAB 2.19
$1.81 R$9.08
20.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 PAB 3.69
$2.76 R$13.79
33.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 PAB 1.79
$0.93 R$4.67
92.47%
White Bread (500g)
$2.48 PAB 2.48
$1.47 R$7.36
68.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.31 PAB 2.31
$1.18 R$5.89
95.76%
Eggs
$2.63 PAB 2.63
$2.05 R$10.26
28.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.15 PAB 11.15
$8.34 R$41.75
33.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.03 PAB 7.03
$3.77 R$18.88
86.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.03 PAB 9.03
$7.26 R$36.34
24.38%
Apples (1kg)
$3.91 PAB 3.91
$2.07 R$10.38
88.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.33 PAB 1.33
$1.27 R$6.36
4.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.88 PAB 2.88
$1.13 R$5.64
154.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.05 PAB 3.05
$1.45 R$7.25
110.34%
Potato (1kg)
$2.17 PAB 2.17
$1.13 R$5.67
92.04%
Onion (1kg)
$2.37 PAB 2.37
$1.11 R$5.54
113.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.07 PAB 2.07
$0.72 R$3.60
187.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.64 PAB 1.64
$0.69 R$3.43
137.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.08 PAB 6.08
$2.15 R$10.74
182.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.16 PAB 10.16
$8.09 R$40.47
25.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 PAB 1.25
$1.17 R$5.86
6.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 PAB 2.22
$2.13 R$10.66
4.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Panama
Brazil
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.52 PAB 0.52
$0.86 R$4.31
-39.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$25.30 PAB 25.30
$40.93 R$205
-38.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 PAB 2.02
$1.06 R$5.29
90.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.97 PAB 1.97
$0.90 R$4.48
118.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.62 PAB 20.62
$7.33 R$36.68
181.31%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 PAB 0.88
$1.04 R$5.20
-15.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K PAB 22.1K
$21.3K R$106.5K
3.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K PAB 20.7K
$27.5K R$137.6K
-24.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$108 PAB 108
$68.1 R$341
59.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.06 PAB 29.06
$14.08 R$70.4
106.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.71 PAB 48.71
$19.45 R$97.3
150.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.82 PAB 49.82
$23.15 R$116
115.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$33.48 PAB 33.48
$22.55 R$113
48.47%
Cinema Ticket
$6.79 PAB 6.79
$6.36 R$31.84
6.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$451 PAB 451
$289 R$1,445
56.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K PAB 11.4K
$7,444 R$37.3K
53.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.60 PAB 46.60
$49.66 R$249
-6.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.52 PAB 41.52
$41.98 R$210
-1.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.5 PAB 83.5
$77.4 R$387
7.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 PAB 117
$63.0 R$316
85.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Panama
Brazil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$933 PAB 933
$326 R$1,632
186.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$728 PAB 728
$229 R$1,144
218.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,732 PAB 1,732
$634 R$3,170
173.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,363 PAB 1,363
$452 R$2,263
201.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,991 PAB 2,991
$1,906 R$9,537
56.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,673 PAB 1,673
$1,257 R$6,293
33.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Panama
Brazil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$820 PAB 820
$536 R$2,683
52.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.3
11.16
-43.55%

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

Last update for Panama: June 2, 2026

Last update for Brazil: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $368 in Panama vs $304 in Brazil. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,157 in Panama City and $408 in Brasilia.

Average salary: $720 in Panama vs $494 in Brazil. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 21% higher in Panama.

Public transport is 680% more expensive in Brazil.

Salaries are 46% higher in Panama, giving Panama stronger purchasing power.

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?
Brazil is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 8% 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 Panama, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Panama consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Brazil or Panama?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Brazil, contributing to the overall 8% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $2,000 go in Brazil vs Panama?
$2,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Brazil, but in Panama it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Brazil and Panama?
Brazil 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.

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