Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Redding, CA and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,365 in Redding, CA, rent and utilities included – about $6,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Redding, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,365
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Redding, CA and in Panama City

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Redding, CA and in Panama City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,365 per month in Redding, CA vs $1,857 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Redding, CA $2,365
  • Panama City $1,857

A couple spends around $3,427 per month in Redding, CA vs $2,815 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Redding, CA $3,427
  • Panama City $2,815

A family of three spends $4,489 per month in Redding, CA vs $3,773 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Redding, CA $4,489
  • Panama City $3,773

Redding, CA costs about 27% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Redding, CA and Panama City sit above the global median – Redding, CA by 75%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.79 $14.79
$11.68 PAB 11.68
26.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.6 $59.6
$47.76 PAB 47.76
24.73%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.88 $11.88
$8.12 PAB 8.12
46.31%
Cappuccino
$5.29 $5.29
$4.23 PAB 4.23
25.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$1.92 PAB 1.92
27.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.58 PAB 1.58
24.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.82 $5.82
$3.31 PAB 3.31
75.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.14 $5.14
$3.98 PAB 3.98
29.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.92 PAB 1.92
-41.67%
White Bread (500g)
$4.18 $4.18
$2.63 PAB 2.63
58.94%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.14 $3.14
$3.39 PAB 3.39
-7.37%
Eggs
$3.96 $3.96
$2.67 PAB 2.67
48.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.54 $11.54
$12.21 PAB 12.21
-5.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.32 $16.32
$6.91 PAB 6.91
136.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.13 $19.13
$10.58 PAB 10.58
80.81%
Apples (1kg)
$5.83 $5.83
$4.16 PAB 4.16
40.14%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 $1.69
$1.97 PAB 1.97
-14.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$4.06 PAB 4.06
-30.54%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.57 $5.57
$4.18 PAB 4.18
33.25%
Potato (1kg)
$4.01 $4.01
$3.47 PAB 3.47
15.56%
Onion (1kg)
$3.14 $3.14
$4.26 PAB 4.26
-26.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.59 $2.59
$2.44 PAB 2.44
6.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.41 $1.41
$1.69 PAB 1.69
-16.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.85 $11.85
$5.83 PAB 5.83
103.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.40 $10.40
$11.43 PAB 11.43
-9.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.38 PAB 1.38
28.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74 $3.74
$2.76 PAB 2.76
35.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.24 $3.24
$0.33 PAB 0.33
881.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.49 $49.49
$20.63 PAB 20.63
139.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.17 $3.17
$2.55 PAB 2.55
24.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.44 $2.44
$1.78 PAB 1.78
37.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.80 $40.80
$22.17 PAB 22.17
84.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 $1.47
$1.24 PAB 1.24
18.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5K $27.5K
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
12.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
22.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$186 $186
$131 PAB 131
41.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.5 $59.5
$27.83 PAB 27.83
113.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.0 $67.0
$49.32 PAB 49.32
35.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.31 $47.31
$45.69 PAB 45.69
3.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.10 PAB 34.10
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.83 $10.83
$8.47 PAB 8.47
27.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,763 $2,763
$553 PAB 553
399.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$36.5K $36.5K
$9,719 PAB 9,719
275.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.8 $62.8
$66.4 PAB 66.4
-5.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.28 $32.28
$47.39 PAB 47.39
-31.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.2 $88.2
$95.7 PAB 95.7
-7.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$205 $205
$113 PAB 113
82.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,443 $1,443
$1,322 PAB 1,322
9.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,040 $1,040
$874 PAB 874
18.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,825 $1,825
$2,153 PAB 2,153
-15.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,612 $1,612
$1,580 PAB 1,580
1.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 $2,784
$3,097 PAB 3,097
-10.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,589 $2,589
$1,698 PAB 1,698
52.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Redding, CA
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,744 $3,744
$914 PAB 914
309.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.7
6.39
4.85%

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

Last update for Redding, CA: October 19, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Redding, CA
$1K
Panama City
$874 15.9% $165
Groceries & Markets
Redding, CA
$416
Panama City
$327 21.5% $90
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redding, CA
$312
Panama City
$208 33.3% $104
Eating Out
Redding, CA
$275
Panama City
$207 24.6% $67
Clothing & Footwear
Redding, CA
$175
Panama City
$145 17.1% $30
Getting Around
Redding, CA
$78
Panama City
$33 57% $44
Sport & Entertainment
Redding, CA
$69
Panama City
$63 9.2% $6.3

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,443 in Redding, CA versus $1,322 in Panama City. 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 310% higher in Redding, CA, 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 $60.0 in Redding, CA versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $416 vs $327 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Redding, CA
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
14:26 2:26 PM
16:26 4:26 PM
2 h ahead of Redding, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
91,582
1,086,990 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

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

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Redding, CA Panama City 5,490 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Redding, CA
  • Panama City

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
Redding, CA vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Redding, CA?
Yes – Redding, CA is pricier by about 27%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,547 per month in Redding, CA and $2,786 in Panama City. 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 Redding, CA and in Panama City?
Groceries cost about 27% more in Redding, CA, 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 Redding, CA or in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Redding, CA and $48.00 in Panama City. 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 Redding, CA or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,857, than in Redding, CA at $2,365. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Redding, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Redding, CA or Panama City 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, Redding, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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