Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Stephenville and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,837 a month against $2,261 in Stephenville, rent and utilities included – about $5,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Stephenville
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,261
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,261 per month in Stephenville vs $1,837 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Stephenville $2,261
  • Panama City $1,837

A couple spends around $3,221 per month in Stephenville vs $2,825 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Stephenville $3,221
  • Panama City $2,825

A family of three spends $4,181 per month in Stephenville vs $3,812 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Stephenville $4,181
  • Panama City $3,812

Stephenville costs about 23% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Stephenville and Panama City sit above the global median – Stephenville by 69%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.69 CA$25.17
$11.34 PAB 11.34
56.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.6 CA$89.0
$47.85 PAB 47.85
30.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.70 CA$15.22
$8.07 PAB 8.07
32.59%
Cappuccino
$3.58 CA$5.09
$4.02 PAB 4.02
-10.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 CA$2.79
$1.94 PAB 1.94
1.03%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 CA$2.31
$1.62 PAB 1.62
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.31 CA$7.55
$3.26 PAB 3.26
62.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.49 CA$7.81
$3.99 PAB 3.99
37.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.47 CA$3.52
$1.83 PAB 1.83
34.97%
White Bread (500g)
$2.52 CA$3.59
$2.57 PAB 2.57
-1.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.34 CA$4.75
$3.33 PAB 3.33
0.30%
Eggs
$3.45 CA$4.91
$2.69 PAB 2.69
28.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.77 CA$13.90
$12.33 PAB 12.33
-20.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.42 CA$16.24
$6.69 PAB 6.69
70.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.30 CA$20.34
$10.40 PAB 10.40
37.50%
Apples (1kg)
$3.80 CA$5.40
$4.16 PAB 4.16
-8.65%
Banana (1kg)
$1.30 CA$1.85
$1.84 PAB 1.84
-29.35%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.70 CA$5.27
$4.18 PAB 4.18
-11.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.68 CA$5.23
$4.08 PAB 4.08
-9.80%
Potato (1kg)
$2.50 CA$3.56
$3.50 PAB 3.50
-28.57%
Onion (1kg)
$2.25 CA$3.20
$4.37 PAB 4.37
-48.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.34 CA$3.33
$2.34 PAB 2.34
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 CA$2.28
$1.75 PAB 1.75
-8.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.88 CA$19.74
$6.06 PAB 6.06
129.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.76 CA$15.31
$11.72 PAB 11.72
-8.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 CA$3.66
$1.37 PAB 1.37
87.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 CA$4.40
$2.84 PAB 2.84
8.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.30 CA$3.27
$0.36 PAB 0.36
538.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$61.0 CA$86.8
$20.96 PAB 20.96
191.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.82 CA$4.01
$2.52 PAB 2.52
11.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 CA$2.02
$1.79 PAB 1.79
-20.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.82 CA$32.45
$22.01 PAB 22.01
3.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 CA$1.58
$1.25 PAB 1.25
-11.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K CA$39.5K
$21.5K PAB 21.5K
28.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.8K CA$26.7K
$21.2K PAB 21.2K
-11.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$139 CA$197
$131 PAB 131
5.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.22 CA$54.4
$27.68 PAB 27.68
38.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.8 CA$77.9
$48.59 PAB 48.59
12.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.70 CA$57.9
$46.11 PAB 46.11
-11.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.03 CA$25.64
$35.01 PAB 35.01
-48.50%
Cinema Ticket
$11.22 CA$15.95
$8.73 PAB 8.73
28.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 CA$1,046
$551 PAB 551
33.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.2K CA$18.7K
$9,560 PAB 9,560
37.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.0 CA$76.9
$67.6 PAB 67.6
-20.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.23 CA$54.4
$48.03 PAB 48.03
-20.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.5 CA$119
$94.9 PAB 94.9
-12.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.0 CA$141
$113 PAB 113
-12.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,232 CA$1,753
$1,238 PAB 1,238
-0.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,132 CA$1,610
$873 PAB 873
29.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,911 CA$2,718
$2,197 PAB 2,197
-13.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,711 CA$2,434
$1,538 PAB 1,538
11.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,270 CA$6,073
$3,116 PAB 3,116
37.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,568 CA$5,075
$1,725 PAB 1,725
106.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Stephenville
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$934 PAB 934
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.64
6.39
-27.39%

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

Last update for Stephenville: October 5, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Stephenville
$1.1K
Panama City
$873 22.8% $258
Groceries & Markets
Stephenville
$348
Panama City
$324 6.7% $23
Eating Out
Stephenville
$268
Panama City
$202 24.9% $67
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stephenville
$232
Panama City
$207 10.4% $24
Clothing & Footwear
Stephenville
$124
Panama City
$146 17.7% $22
Getting Around
Stephenville
$80
Panama City
$34 57.7% $46
Sport & Entertainment
Stephenville
$63
Panama City
$64 0.7% $0.4

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,232 in Stephenville 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Stephenville versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $348 vs $324 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Stephenville
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
08:16 8:16 AM
05:46 5:46 AM
2 h 30 min behind Stephenville
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
6,600
1,086,990 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1.42 CAD (1 CAD = 0.703 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.627 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Stephenville Panama City 4,820 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Stephenville
  • 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
Stephenville vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Stephenville?
Yes – Stephenville is pricier by about 23%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,392 per month in Stephenville and $2,756 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 Stephenville and in Panama City?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Stephenville, 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 Stephenville or in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Stephenville 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 Stephenville or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,837, than in Stephenville at $2,261. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Stephenville it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Stephenville 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, Stephenville makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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