Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Santa Cruz, CA and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,837 a month against $4,316 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent and utilities included – about $29,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

211

Cost of Living Index in Santa Cruz, CA
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Santa Cruz, CA Living Index
90

Cost of Living Index in Panama City
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Panama City Living Index

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Santa Cruz, CA

🇺🇸 United States

$4,316

/mo nomad

Panama City

🇵🇦 Panama

$1,837

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA and in Panama City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,316 per month in Santa Cruz, CA vs $1,837 in Panama City, rent included.

Santa Cruz, CA $4,316
Panama City $1,837

A couple spends around $6,246 per month in Santa Cruz, CA vs $2,825 in Panama City, rent included.

Santa Cruz, CA $6,246
Panama City $2,825

A family of three spends $8,177 per month in Santa Cruz, CA vs $3,812 in Panama City, rent included.

Santa Cruz, CA $8,177
Panama City $3,812

Santa Cruz, CA costs about 135% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Santa Cruz, CA and Panama City sit above the global median – Santa Cruz, CA by 222%, Panama City by 37%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.94 $24.94

$11.34 PAB 11.34

119.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.7 $99.7

$47.85 PAB 47.85

108.25%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.73 $14.73

$8.07 PAB 8.07

82.53%

Cappuccino

$5.83 $5.83

$4.02 PAB 4.02

45.02%

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

$3.46 $3.46

$1.94 PAB 1.94

78.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.62 PAB 1.62

49.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.18 $8.18

$3.26 PAB 3.26

150.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.04 $8.04

$3.99 PAB 3.99

101.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.83 PAB 1.83

-24.04%

White Bread (500g)

$4.75 $4.75

$2.57 PAB 2.57

84.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$7.81 $7.81

$3.33 PAB 3.33

134.53%

Eggs

$6.37 $6.37

$2.69 PAB 2.69

136.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$26.58 $26.58

$12.33 PAB 12.33

115.57%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.84 $16.84

$6.69 PAB 6.69

151.72%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.62 $17.62

$10.40 PAB 10.40

69.42%

Apples (1kg)

$7.78 $7.78

$4.16 PAB 4.16

87.02%

Banana (1kg)

$2.27 $2.27

$1.84 PAB 1.84

23.37%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.80 $8.80

$4.18 PAB 4.18

110.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.61 $6.61

$4.08 PAB 4.08

62.01%

Potato (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$3.50 PAB 3.50

28.29%

Onion (1kg)

$3.03 $3.03

$4.37 PAB 4.37

-30.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$5.10 $5.10

$2.34 PAB 2.34

117.95%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.75 PAB 1.75

69.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.82 $11.82

$6.06 PAB 6.06

95.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$25.49 $25.49

$11.72 PAB 11.72

117.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.37 PAB 1.37

58.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.27 $3.27

$2.84 PAB 2.84

15.14%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 $1.99

$0.36 PAB 0.36

452.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 $64.5

$20.96 PAB 20.96

207.78%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.52 PAB 2.52

30.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.79 PAB 1.79

37.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$39.30 $39.30

$22.01 PAB 22.01

78.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.25 PAB 1.25

23.20%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$21.5K PAB 21.5K

72.04%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$21.2K PAB 21.2K

23.95%

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

$373 $373

$131 PAB 131

184.68%

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

$57.8 $57.8

$27.68 PAB 27.68

108.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.4 $68.4

$48.59 PAB 48.59

40.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.0 $78.0

$46.11 PAB 46.11

69.23%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.74 $12.74

$35.01 PAB 35.01

-63.61%

Cinema Ticket

$15.71 $15.71

$8.73 PAB 8.73

79.95%

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

$2,499 $2,499

$551 PAB 551

353.92%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K $29.6K

$9,560 PAB 9,560

209.35%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.0 $68.0

$67.6 PAB 67.6

0.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.64 $48.64

$48.03 PAB 48.03

1.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.4 $93.4

$94.9 PAB 94.9

-1.61%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$158 $158

$113 PAB 113

39.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,049 $3,049

$1,238 PAB 1,238

146.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,524 $2,524

$873 PAB 873

189.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,860 $4,860

$2,197 PAB 2,197

121.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,160 $4,160

$1,538 PAB 1,538

170.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,227 $8,227

$3,116 PAB 3,116

164.06%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.3K $11.3K

$1,725 PAB 1,725

557.81%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,485 $5,485

$934 PAB 934

487.01%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.47

6.39

1.25%

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

Last update for Santa Cruz, CA: October 3, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Santa Cruz, CA

$2.5K 57.6%

Panama City

$873 47.2% 65.4% $1.7K

Groceries & Markets

Santa Cruz, CA

$599 13.7%

Panama City

$324 17.5% 45.9% $275

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Santa Cruz, CA

$500 11.4%

Panama City

$207 11.2% 58.5% $292

Eating Out

Santa Cruz, CA

$394 9%

Panama City

$202 10.9% 48.8% $192

Clothing & Footwear

Santa Cruz, CA

$166 3.8%

Panama City

$146 7.9% 12.1% $20

Sport & Entertainment

Santa Cruz, CA

$109 2.5%

Panama City

$64 3.4% 41.9% $46

Getting Around

Santa Cruz, CA

$88 2%

Panama City

$34 1.8% 61.5% $54

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,049 in Santa Cruz, CA versus $1,238 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 487% higher in Santa Cruz, 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 $100 in Santa Cruz, CA versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $599 vs $324 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Santa Cruz, CA

🇵🇦 Panama City

🕒 Local time

21:49 9:49 PM

23:49 11:49 PM

2 h ahead of Santa Cruz, CA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

64,220

1,086,990 Capital

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

Panamanian Balboa PAB B/.

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

1 PAB = 1 USD

1 PAB = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

🇵🇦 Panamanian Balboa (B/.)

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.892 EUR).

PAB to USD in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Santa Cruz, CA Panama City 5,280 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight

From you

Santa Cruz, 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

Santa Cruz, CA vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Santa Cruz, CA is pricier by about 135%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,474 per month in Santa Cruz, CA and $2,756 in Panama City. 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 85% more in Santa Cruz, CA, 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 $100 in Santa Cruz, CA and $48.00 in Panama City. 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 $1,837, than in Santa Cruz, CA at $4,316. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Cruz, CA 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, Santa Cruz, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.