Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Wasilla, AK and Panama City

For one person, living is cheaper in Panama City: $1,857 a month against $2,904 in Wasilla, AK, rent and utilities included – about $12,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Wasilla, AK
🇺🇸 United States
$2,904
/mo nomad
Panama City
🇵🇦 Panama
$1,857
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,904 per month in Wasilla, AK vs $1,857 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Wasilla, AK $2,904
  • Panama City $1,857

A couple spends around $4,110 per month in Wasilla, AK vs $2,815 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Wasilla, AK $4,110
  • Panama City $2,815

A family of three spends $5,317 per month in Wasilla, AK vs $3,773 in Panama City, rent included.

  • Wasilla, AK $5,317
  • Panama City $3,773

Wasilla, AK costs about 56% more than Panama City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Wasilla, AK and Panama City sit above the global median – Wasilla, AK by 114%, Panama City by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.14 $25.14
$11.68 PAB 11.68
115.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$102 $102
$47.76 PAB 47.76
112.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.12 $12.12
$8.12 PAB 8.12
49.26%
Cappuccino
$4.02 $4.02
$4.23 PAB 4.23
-4.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.92 PAB 1.92
3.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.58 PAB 1.58
29.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.52 $5.52
$3.31 PAB 3.31
66.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.97 $7.97
$3.98 PAB 3.98
100.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.92 PAB 1.92
-38.54%
White Bread (500g)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.63 PAB 2.63
18.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.27 $6.27
$3.39 PAB 3.39
84.96%
Eggs
$3.27 $3.27
$2.67 PAB 2.67
22.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.50 $13.50
$12.21 PAB 12.21
10.57%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.49 $10.49
$6.91 PAB 6.91
51.81%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.25 $15.25
$10.58 PAB 10.58
44.14%
Apples (1kg)
$8.38 $8.38
$4.16 PAB 4.16
101.44%
Banana (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.97 PAB 1.97
8.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.94 $3.94
$4.06 PAB 4.06
-2.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$4.18 PAB 4.18
3.83%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$3.47 PAB 3.47
-21.61%
Onion (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$4.26 PAB 4.26
-27.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.73 $2.73
$2.44 PAB 2.44
11.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 $2.33
$1.69 PAB 1.69
37.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.76 $12.76
$5.83 PAB 5.83
118.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.23 $18.23
$11.43 PAB 11.43
59.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.38 PAB 1.38
28.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 $3.53
$2.76 PAB 2.76
27.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.94 $1.94
$0.33 PAB 0.33
487.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.0 $60.0
$20.63 PAB 20.63
190.64%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.78 $2.78
$2.55 PAB 2.55
9.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.69 $1.69
$1.78 PAB 1.78
-5.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$38.11 $38.11
$22.17 PAB 22.17
71.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.24 PAB 1.24
-18.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K $25.1K
$24.4K PAB 24.4K
2.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$21.3K PAB 21.3K
18.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$272 $272
$131 PAB 131
107.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.80 $48.80
$27.83 PAB 27.83
75.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$141 $141
$49.32 PAB 49.32
185.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$85.6 $85.6
$45.69 PAB 45.69
87.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.32 $35.32
$34.10 PAB 34.10
3.58%
Cinema Ticket
$8.25 $8.25
$8.47 PAB 8.47
-2.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,222 $1,222
$553 PAB 553
120.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.4K $10.4K
$9,719 PAB 9,719
6.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.80 $47.80
$66.4 PAB 66.4
-28.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.34 $46.34
$47.39 PAB 47.39
-2.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.9 $79.9
$95.7 PAB 95.7
-16.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.6 $88.6
$113 PAB 113
-21.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,394 $1,394
$1,322 PAB 1,322
5.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,380 $1,380
$874 PAB 874
57.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,990 $1,990
$2,153 PAB 2,153
-7.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 $1,976
$1,580 PAB 1,580
25.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,097 PAB 3,097
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,698 PAB 1,698
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wasilla, AK
Panama City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$914 PAB 914
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.49
6.39
1.56%

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

Last update for Wasilla, AK: 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
Wasilla, AK
$1.4K
Panama City
$874 36.7% $506
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wasilla, AK
$461
Panama City
$208 54.8% $253
Groceries & Markets
Wasilla, AK
$418
Panama City
$327 21.8% $91
Eating Out
Wasilla, AK
$345
Panama City
$207 40% $138
Clothing & Footwear
Wasilla, AK
$118
Panama City
$145 22.6% $27
Sport & Entertainment
Wasilla, AK
$102
Panama City
$63 38.6% $39
Getting Around
Wasilla, AK
$79
Panama City
$33 57.7% $46

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,394 in Wasilla, AK 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Wasilla, AK versus $48.00 in Panama City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $418 vs $327 – making Panama City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Wasilla, AK
🇵🇦 Panama City
🕒 Local time
14:01 2:01 PM
17:01 5:01 PM
3 h ahead of Wasilla, AK
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,000
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 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 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
  • Wasilla, AK Panama City 8,080 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Wasilla, AK
  • 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
Wasilla, AK vs Panama City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City cheaper than Wasilla, AK?
Yes – Wasilla, AK is pricier by about 56%, 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 $4,356 per month in Wasilla, AK 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 Wasilla, AK and in Panama City?
Groceries cost about 28% more in Wasilla, AK, 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 Wasilla, AK or in Panama City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Wasilla, AK 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 Wasilla, AK or in Panama City?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Panama City, where all-in costs run around $1,857, than in Wasilla, AK at $2,904. In Panama City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Wasilla, AK it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Wasilla, AK 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, Wasilla, AK makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Wasilla, AK vs other spots: cost of living compared

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