Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Timbo and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Timbo: $764 a month against $1,857 in Panama City, rent and utilities included – about $13,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Timbo
🇧🇷 Brazil
$764
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $764 per month in Timbo vs $1,857 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Timbo $764
  • Panama City $1,857

A couple spends around $1,250 per month in Timbo vs $2,815 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Timbo $1,250
  • Panama City $2,815

A family of three spends $1,737 per month in Timbo vs $3,773 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Timbo $1,737
  • Panama City $3,773

Timbo is about 59% cheaper than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Timbo sits 44% below the global median, while Panama City is 37% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.90 R$24.82
$11.68 PAB 11.68
-58.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.89 R$202
$47.76 PAB 47.76
-16.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.93 R$19.90
$8.12 PAB 8.12
-51.60%
Cappuccino
$2.05 R$10.41
$4.23 PAB 4.23
-51.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07 R$5.44
$1.92 PAB 1.92
-44.27%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 R$3.60
$1.58 PAB 1.58
-55.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.89 R$9.57
$3.31 PAB 3.31
-42.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35 R$11.93
$3.98 PAB 3.98
-40.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.93 R$4.69
$1.92 PAB 1.92
-51.56%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 R$7.47
$2.63 PAB 2.63
-44.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.93 R$4.72
$3.39 PAB 3.39
-72.57%
Eggs
$1.80 R$9.11
$2.67 PAB 2.67
-32.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.84 R$39.76
$12.21 PAB 12.21
-35.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.60 R$18.24
$6.91 PAB 6.91
-47.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.74 R$39.26
$10.58 PAB 10.58
-26.84%
Apples (1kg)
$1.83 R$9.29
$4.16 PAB 4.16
-56.01%
Banana (1kg)
$0.72 R$3.65
$1.97 PAB 1.97
-63.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.83 R$4.20
$4.06 PAB 4.06
-79.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.34 R$6.81
$4.18 PAB 4.18
-67.94%
Potato (1kg)
$0.86 R$4.35
$3.47 PAB 3.47
-75.22%
Onion (1kg)
$0.78 R$3.96
$4.26 PAB 4.26
-81.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.63 R$3.18
$2.44 PAB 2.44
-74.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83 R$4.20
$1.69 PAB 1.69
-50.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.63 R$8.25
$5.83 PAB 5.83
-72.04%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.99 R$25.28
$11.43 PAB 11.43
-56.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 R$5.68
$1.38 PAB 1.38
-18.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 R$10.44
$2.76 PAB 2.76
-25.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.03 R$5.24
$0.33 PAB 0.33
212.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.44 R$225
$20.63 PAB 20.63
115.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.31 R$6.65
$2.55 PAB 2.55
-48.63%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.83 R$4.20
$1.78 PAB 1.78
-53.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.11 R$30.95
$22.17 PAB 22.17
-72.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 R$5.19
$1.24 PAB 1.24
-17.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8K R$115.7K
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
-6.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K R$138.4K
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
28.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$57.6 R$292
$131 PAB 131
-56.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.86 R$65.2
$27.83 PAB 27.83
-53.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.62 R$120
$49.32 PAB 49.32
-52.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.78 R$131
$45.69 PAB 45.69
-43.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.38 R$139
$34.10 PAB 34.10
-19.71%
Cinema Ticket
$5.84 R$29.62
$8.47 PAB 8.47
-31.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$238 R$1,204
$553 PAB 553
-57.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,918 R$14.8K
$9,719 PAB 9,719
-69.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.48 R$160
$66.4 PAB 66.4
-52.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.18 R$204
$47.39 PAB 47.39
-15.21%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.2 R$300
$95.7 PAB 95.7
-38.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.89 R$253
$113 PAB 113
-55.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$351 R$1,781
$1,322 PAB 1,322
-73.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$241 R$1,223
$874 PAB 874
-72.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$662 R$3,354
$2,153 PAB 2,153
-69.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$477 R$2,419
$1,580 PAB 1,580
-69.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,726 R$8,751
$3,097 PAB 3,097
-44.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,213 R$6,151
$1,698 PAB 1,698
-28.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Timbo
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$713 R$3,613
$914 PAB 914
-22.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11
6.39
72.14%

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

Last update for Timbo: 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
Timbo
$241
Panama City
$874 262% $633
Groceries & Markets
Timbo
$159
Panama City
$327 105% $167
Eating Out
Timbo
$97
Panama City
$207 114% $110
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Timbo
$94
Panama City
$208 122% $114
Clothing & Footwear
Timbo
$81
Panama City
$145 78.2% $64
Getting Around
Timbo
$54
Panama City
$33 38.1% $21
Sport & Entertainment
Timbo
$37
Panama City
$63 67.2% $25

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $351 in Timbo 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 28% higher in Panama City, 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 $40.00 in Timbo versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $159 vs $327 – making Timbo the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇧🇷 Timbo
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
19:31 7:31 PM
17:31 5:31 PM
2 h behind Timbo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
46,099
1,086,990 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PAB, USD, EUR to BRL – Brazilian Real Converter

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 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
  • Timbo Panama City 5,150 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Timbo
  • 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
Timbo vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Timbo?
Yes – Panama City is pricier by about 143%, 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 $1,147 per month in Timbo 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 Timbo, 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 Timbo and in Panama City?
Groceries cost about 105% more in Panama City, 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 Timbo or in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Timbo and $48.00 in Panama City. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Timbo or in Panama City?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Timbo, where all-in costs run around $764, than in Panama City at $1,857. In Timbo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Panama City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Timbo or Panama City more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Timbo – 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 Timbo. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Panama City makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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