Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Upland, CA and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,837 in Upland, CA, rent and utilities included – about $11,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Upland, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,837
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,837 per month in Upland, CA vs $1,857 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Upland, CA $2,837
  • Panama City $1,857

A couple spends around $4,100 per month in Upland, CA vs $2,815 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Upland, CA $4,100
  • Panama City $2,815

A family of three spends $5,362 per month in Upland, CA vs $3,773 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Upland, CA $5,362
  • Panama City $3,773

Upland, CA costs about 53% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Upland, CA and Panama City sit above the global median – Upland, CA by 109%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.96 $14.96
$11.68 PAB 11.68
28.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7 $68.7
$47.76 PAB 47.76
43.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.14 $12.14
$8.12 PAB 8.12
49.51%
Cappuccino
$1.95 $1.95
$4.23 PAB 4.23
-53.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$1.92 PAB 1.92
5.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.58 PAB 1.58
29.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.63 $7.63
$3.31 PAB 3.31
130.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.57 $9.57
$3.98 PAB 3.98
140.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.92 PAB 1.92
-45.83%
White Bread (500g)
$1.63 $1.63
$2.63 PAB 2.63
-38.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$3.39 PAB 3.39
-36.87%
Eggs
$4.72 $4.72
$2.67 PAB 2.67
76.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.85 $8.85
$12.21 PAB 12.21
-27.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.50 $6.50
$6.91 PAB 6.91
-5.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.93 $10.93
$10.58 PAB 10.58
3.31%
Apples (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$4.16 PAB 4.16
7.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.97 PAB 1.97
-15.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.28 $3.28
$4.06 PAB 4.06
-19.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.82 $5.82
$4.18 PAB 4.18
39.23%
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 $2.22
$3.47 PAB 3.47
-36.02%
Onion (1kg)
$2.25 $2.25
$4.26 PAB 4.26
-47.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.44 PAB 2.44
-19.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 $1.87
$1.69 PAB 1.69
10.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.90 $11.90
$5.83 PAB 5.83
104.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.13 $12.13
$11.43 PAB 11.43
6.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00 $2.00
$1.38 PAB 1.38
44.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26 $1.26
$2.76 PAB 2.76
-54.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.33 PAB 0.33
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.5 $59.5
$20.63 PAB 20.63
188.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.15 $6.15
$2.55 PAB 2.55
141.18%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.78 PAB 1.78
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$22.17 PAB 22.17
-
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)
$28.8K $28.8K
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
17.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6K $27.6K
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
29.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$168 $168
$131 PAB 131
27.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$66.6 $66.6
$27.83 PAB 27.83
139.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.1 $58.1
$49.32 PAB 49.32
17.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$45.69 PAB 45.69
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$34.10 PAB 34.10
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.11 $12.11
$8.47 PAB 8.47
42.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,890 $1,890
$553 PAB 553
241.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,719 PAB 9,719
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.9 $54.9
$66.4 PAB 66.4
-17.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.06 $40.06
$47.39 PAB 47.39
-15.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.5 $88.5
$95.7 PAB 95.7
-7.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 $122
$113 PAB 113
8.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,474 $1,474
$1,322 PAB 1,322
11.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$874 PAB 874
101.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,598 $2,598
$2,153 PAB 2,153
20.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,986 $2,986
$1,580 PAB 1,580
88.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,097 PAB 3,097
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,698 PAB 1,698
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Upland, CA
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,302 $5,302
$914 PAB 914
480.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
6.39
-21.75%

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

Last update for Upland, CA: October 18, 2026

Last update for Panama City: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Upland, CA
$1.8K
Panama City
$874 50.5% $891
Groceries & Markets
Upland, CA
$299
Panama City
$327 9.3% $28
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Upland, CA
$292
Panama City
$208 28.7% $84
Eating Out
Upland, CA
$253
Panama City
$207 18.2% $46
Clothing & Footwear
Upland, CA
$137
Panama City
$145 5.5% $7.5
Getting Around
Upland, CA
$66 *
Panama City
$33 49% $32
Sport & Entertainment
Upland, CA
$24 *
Panama City
$63 159% $38

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,474 in Upland, 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 480% higher in Upland, 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 $69.0 in Upland, CA versus $48.00 in Panama City. Groceries tell a different story – $299 in Upland, CA vs $327 in Panama City – so Upland, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Upland, CA
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
14:01 2:01 PM
16:01 4:01 PM
2 h ahead of Upland, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
73,379
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 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Panamanian Balboa exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 1 PAB (1 PAB = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 PAB (1 PAB = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Upland, CA Panama City 4,780 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Upland, 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
Upland, CA vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Upland, CA?
Yes – Upland, CA is pricier by about 53%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in utilities.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,255 per month in Upland, 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 Upland, CA and in Panama City?
Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Upland, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is eating out cheaper in Upland, CA or in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Upland, 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 Upland, 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 Upland, CA at $2,837. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Upland, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Upland, 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, Upland, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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