Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Scottsbluff, NE and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,972 a month against $2,740 in Scottsbluff, NE, rent and utilities included – about $9,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Scottsbluff, NE, United States
Panama City, Panama
Scottsbluff, NE
🇺🇸 United States
$2,740
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,972
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,740 per month in Scottsbluff, NE vs $1,972 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Scottsbluff, NE $2,740
  • Panama City $1,972

A couple spends around $3,993 per month in Scottsbluff, NE vs $2,930 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Scottsbluff, NE $3,993
  • Panama City $2,930

A family of three spends $5,246 per month in Scottsbluff, NE vs $3,888 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Scottsbluff, NE $5,246
  • Panama City $3,888

Scottsbluff, NE costs about 39% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Scottsbluff, NE and Panama City sit above the global median – Scottsbluff, NE by 103%, Panama City by 46%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.68 $19.68
$11.37 PAB 11.37
73.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8 $64.8
$46.69 PAB 46.69
38.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.05 $12.05
$7.98 PAB 7.98
51.00%
Cappuccino
$5.95 $5.95
$4.12 PAB 4.12
44.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 $2.86
$2.01 PAB 2.01
42.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$1.57 PAB 1.57
45.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.93 $6.93
$3.28 PAB 3.28
111.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.63 $7.63
$3.88 PAB 3.88
96.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$1.82 PAB 1.82
-36.26%
White Bread (500g)
$5.39 $5.39
$2.61 PAB 2.61
106.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.43 $7.43
$3.45 PAB 3.45
115.36%
Eggs
$4.54 $4.54
$2.68 PAB 2.68
69.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.55 $16.55
$12.42 PAB 12.42
33.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.16 $17.16
$6.73 PAB 6.73
154.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.86 $18.86
$10.44 PAB 10.44
80.65%
Apples (1kg)
$5.04 $5.04
$4.21 PAB 4.21
19.71%
Banana (1kg)
$2.08 $2.08
$1.95 PAB 1.95
6.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.70 $4.70
$4.07 PAB 4.07
15.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.33 $5.33
$4.02 PAB 4.02
32.59%
Potato (1kg)
$2.43 $2.43
$3.46 PAB 3.46
-29.77%
Onion (1kg)
$2.68 $2.68
$4.42 PAB 4.42
-39.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.39 $2.39
$2.43 PAB 2.43
-1.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$1.72 PAB 1.72
49.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.43 $10.43
$6.04 PAB 6.04
72.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.15 $19.15
$11.68 PAB 11.68
63.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.41 PAB 1.41
95.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.84 $3.84
$2.74 PAB 2.74
40.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.24 $2.24
$0.33 PAB 0.33
578.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.7 $54.7
$20.65 PAB 20.65
164.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.58 $3.58
$2.45 PAB 2.45
46.12%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.79 $1.79
$1.76 PAB 1.76
1.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.35 $30.35
$21.86 PAB 21.86
38.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 $1.10
$1.20 PAB 1.20
-8.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0K $30.0K
$24.6K PAB 24.6K
22.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$20.9K PAB 20.9K
23.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 $167
$132 PAB 132
27.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$77.8 $77.8
$27.89 PAB 27.89
178.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.6 $71.6
$49.10 PAB 49.10
45.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.36 $34.36
$44.53 PAB 44.53
-22.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.01 PAB 34.01
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.24 $15.24
$8.70 PAB 8.70
75.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,211 $2,211
$537 PAB 537
311.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$35.5K $35.5K
$20.5K PAB 20.5K
73.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.2 $69.2
$65.8 PAB 65.8
5.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.33 $45.33
$48.45 PAB 48.45
-6.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 $102
$95.4 PAB 95.4
7.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132 $132
$114 PAB 114
15.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,595 $1,595
$1,405 PAB 1,405
13.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,288 $1,288
$994 PAB 994
29.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,597 $2,597
$2,221 PAB 2,221
16.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,083 $2,083
$1,714 PAB 1,714
21.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,666 $2,666
$3,139 PAB 3,139
-15.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,475 $2,475
$1,724 PAB 1,724
43.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Scottsbluff, NE
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$936 PAB 936
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.86
6.39
7.36%

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

Last update for Scottsbluff, NE: November 3, 2026

Last update for Panama City: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Scottsbluff, NE
$1.3K
Panama City
$994 22.8% $294
Groceries & Markets
Scottsbluff, NE
$501
Panama City
$326 35.1% $176
Eating Out
Scottsbluff, NE
$336
Panama City
$203 39.5% $133
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Scottsbluff, NE
$317
Panama City
$209 34.1% $108
Clothing & Footwear
Scottsbluff, NE
$157
Panama City
$145 7.3% $11
Getting Around
Scottsbluff, NE
$76
Panama City
$33 56.4% $43
Sport & Entertainment
Scottsbluff, NE
$65
Panama City
$62 4.5% $2.9

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,595 in Scottsbluff, NE versus $1,405 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $65 in Scottsbluff, NE versus $47 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $501 vs $326 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Scottsbluff, NE
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
22:18 10:18 PM
00:18 12:18 AM
2 h ahead of Scottsbluff, NE
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
15,039
1,086,990 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.891 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.891 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Scottsbluff, NE Panama City 4,350 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Scottsbluff, NE
  • 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
Scottsbluff, NE vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Scottsbluff, NE?
Yes – Scottsbluff, NE is pricier by about 39%, 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 $4,110 per month in Scottsbluff, NE and $2,958 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,405 there versus $1,595 in Scottsbluff, NE.
How do food prices compare in Scottsbluff, NE and in Panama City?
Groceries cost about 54% more in Scottsbluff, NE, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is eating out cheaper in Scottsbluff, NE or in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $65 in Scottsbluff, NE and $47 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 Scottsbluff, NE or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,972, than in Scottsbluff, NE at $2,740. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Scottsbluff, NE it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Scottsbluff, NE 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Panama City is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 28% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Scottsbluff, NE vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?