Cost of Living in Panama City - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Panama City
Address: Panama City, PA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $787 (excluding rent), and $1,808 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,923 (excluding rent), and $3,695 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.17 PAB 10.17

$5.59 PAB 5.59

$20.34 PAB 20.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.4 PAB 50.4

$40.36 PAB 40.36

$101 PAB 101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.88 PAB 7.88

$6.90 PAB 6.90

$8.87 PAB 8.87

Cappuccino

$3.71 PAB 3.71

$2.05 PAB 2.05

$5.13 PAB 5.13

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.64 PAB 1.64

$0.97 PAB 0.97

$2.43 PAB 2.43

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 PAB 1.33

$0.97 PAB 0.97

$1.95 PAB 1.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 PAB 2.95

$1.72 PAB 1.72

$3.93 PAB 3.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.06 PAB 4.06

$3.04 PAB 3.04

$6.09 PAB 6.09

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.47 PAB 1.47

$1.98 PAB 1.98

White Bread (500g)

$2.58 PAB 2.58

$1.13 PAB 1.13

$4.10 PAB 4.10

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.40 PAB 2.40

$1.40 PAB 1.40

$4.30 PAB 4.30

Eggs

$2.97 PAB 2.97

$1.24 PAB 1.24

$3.71 PAB 3.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.34 PAB 11.34

$3.87 PAB 3.87

$17.50 PAB 17.50

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.06 PAB 7.06

$3.44 PAB 3.44

$10.84 PAB 10.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.76 PAB 9.76

$4.91 PAB 4.91

$15.71 PAB 15.71

Apples (1kg)

$3.40 PAB 3.40

$1.52 PAB 1.52

$5.06 PAB 5.06

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 PAB 1.50

$0.89 PAB 0.89

$2.96 PAB 2.96

Oranges (1kg)

$2.77 PAB 2.77

$0.99 PAB 0.99

$6.41 PAB 6.41

Tomato (1kg)

$3.23 PAB 3.23

$2.04 PAB 2.04

$4.50 PAB 4.50

Potato (1kg)

$2.20 PAB 2.20

$0.97 PAB 0.97

$2.92 PAB 2.92

Onion (1kg)

$2.87 PAB 2.87

$1.01 PAB 1.01

$5.06 PAB 5.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.17 PAB 2.17

$1.24 PAB 1.24

$3.17 PAB 3.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.54 PAB 1.54

$0.79 PAB 0.79

$2.48 PAB 2.48

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.99 PAB 5.99

$5.49 PAB 5.49

$6.49 PAB 6.49

Wine (Bottle)

$10.31 PAB 10.31

$6.94 PAB 6.94

$19.82 PAB 19.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.30 PAB 1.30

$0.87 PAB 0.87

$2.33 PAB 2.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 PAB 2.33

$1.22 PAB 1.22

$3.90 PAB 3.90

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PAB 0.43

$0.36 PAB 0.36

$0.51 PAB 0.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.39 PAB 22.39

$19.91 PAB 19.91

$39.81 PAB 39.81

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.46 PAB 2.46

$1.97 PAB 1.97

$3.44 PAB 3.44

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 PAB 1.82

$1.01 PAB 1.01

$4.02 PAB 4.02

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.57 PAB 21.57

$13.72 PAB 13.72

$24.51 PAB 24.51

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 PAB 0.95

$0.91 PAB 0.91

$1.09 PAB 1.09

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$20.1K PAB 20.1K

$19.4K PAB 19.4K

$24.0K PAB 24.0K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.1K PAB 20.1K

$19.3K PAB 19.3K

$22.6K PAB 22.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$123 PAB 123

$90.2 PAB 90.2

$200 PAB 200

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$29.81 PAB 29.81

$20.97 PAB 20.97

$39.95 PAB 39.95

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.87 PAB 49.87

$40.52 PAB 40.52

$70.9 PAB 70.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.19 PAB 46.19

$30.41 PAB 30.41

$81.1 PAB 81.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.83 PAB 32.83

$20.20 PAB 20.20

$50.5 PAB 50.5

Cinema Ticket

$8.09 PAB 8.09

$6.58 PAB 6.58

$15.18 PAB 15.18

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$478 PAB 478

$332 PAB 332

$1,005 PAB 1,005

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K PAB 15.8K

$12.1K PAB 12.1K

$20.1K PAB 20.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.0 PAB 52.0

$25.26 PAB 25.26

$70.7 PAB 70.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.66 PAB 46.66

$15.18 PAB 15.18

$101 PAB 101

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.6 PAB 89.6

$70.3 PAB 70.3

$100 PAB 100

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 PAB 123

$50.9 PAB 50.9

$204 PAB 204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,124 PAB 1,124

$739 PAB 739

$1,675 PAB 1,675

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$894 PAB 894

$657 PAB 657

$1,516 PAB 1,516

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,059 PAB 2,059

$1,521 PAB 1,521

$3,041 PAB 3,041

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,553 PAB 1,553

$985 PAB 985

$2,463 PAB 2,463

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,128 PAB 3,128

$2,990 PAB 2,990

$3,276 PAB 3,276

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,730 PAB 1,730

$1,526 PAB 1,526

$2,000 PAB 2,000

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$967 PAB 967

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Panama City Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Panama City - Frequently Asked Questions

Panama City, Panama offers a compelling mix of value and access for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Cost of Living in Panama City, Panama tends to be more affordable than many North American or European cities, with flexible housing options and plentiful street-food and market choices. You’ll find diverse neighborhoods, from waterfront to hillside zones, each with its own vibe and price range. Compare rents, utilities, and internet bundles to identify real value, and plan around the local rainy season when some services run differently. Tip: build a monthly budget that leaves room for occasional splurges in a vibrant, walkable area.

Daily life in Panama City, Panama centers on flexibility and choices. A quick check of the Panama City, Panama living cost helps you target neighborhoods where rent, groceries, and transit align with your budget. Use a mix of online listings and short-term rentals to test Casco Viejo, El Cangrejo, and San Francisco before committing to a longer lease. For food, you’ll enjoy a spectrum from casual eateries to farmers' markets with fresh produce. Transit is affordable and convenient via rideshare, buses, and a growing metro line, so you can live further from the center and still stay connected. Co-working spaces and cafés make remote work easy, with everything from quiet pockets to community events. Tip: scout a few co-working spots to find one that fits your routine.

Quality of life in Panama City, Panama leans on pace, safety, and access to nature and culture. Build a budgeting framework around housing, utilities, and discretionary time – split expenses by essential vs. flexible categories and adjust with seasonality, such as wetter months when outdoor activities shift. Neighborhood fit matters: Casco Viejo is historic and lively, El Cangrejo offers central convenience, and modern high-rises cluster near the waterfront. Save by cooking at home from markets, using public transit, and sharing co-working spaces. Tip: reserve a buffer for occasional trips to nearby coastlines or mountain escapes to refresh your routine.