Cost of Living in Panama City - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Panama City
Address: Panama City, PA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $792 (excluding rent), and $1,818 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,931 (excluding rent), and $3,640 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.95 PAB 9.95

$5.47 PAB 5.47

$19.90 PAB 19.90

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.92 PAB 49.92

$39.94 PAB 39.94

$99.8 PAB 99.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.01 PAB 8.01

$7.01 PAB 7.01

$9.02 PAB 9.02

Cappuccino

$3.66 PAB 3.66

$2.03 PAB 2.03

$5.07 PAB 5.07

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

$1.72 PAB 1.72

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$2.54 PAB 2.54

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 PAB 1.38

$1.01 PAB 1.01

$2.02 PAB 2.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92 PAB 2.92

$1.70 PAB 1.70

$3.89 PAB 3.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.08 PAB 4.08

$3.06 PAB 3.06

$6.13 PAB 6.13

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 PAB 1.91

$1.53 PAB 1.53

$2.06 PAB 2.06

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 PAB 2.46

$1.07 PAB 1.07

$3.90 PAB 3.90

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.41 PAB 2.41

$1.41 PAB 1.41

$4.32 PAB 4.32

Eggs

$2.82 PAB 2.82

$1.17 PAB 1.17

$3.52 PAB 3.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.49 PAB 11.49

$3.92 PAB 3.92

$17.73 PAB 17.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.24 PAB 7.24

$3.53 PAB 3.53

$11.12 PAB 11.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.90 PAB 9.90

$4.98 PAB 4.98

$15.93 PAB 15.93

Apples (1kg)

$3.38 PAB 3.38

$1.51 PAB 1.51

$5.03 PAB 5.03

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

$0.87 PAB 0.87

$2.91 PAB 2.91

Oranges (1kg)

$2.87 PAB 2.87

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$6.65 PAB 6.65

Tomato (1kg)

$3.23 PAB 3.23

$2.04 PAB 2.04

$4.51 PAB 4.51

Potato (1kg)

$2.30 PAB 2.30

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$3.05 PAB 3.05

Onion (1kg)

$2.89 PAB 2.89

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$5.09 PAB 5.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 PAB 2.22

$1.26 PAB 1.26

$3.24 PAB 3.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.59 PAB 1.59

$0.82 PAB 0.82

$2.57 PAB 2.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.09 PAB 6.09

$5.58 PAB 5.58

$6.60 PAB 6.60

Wine (Bottle)

$9.83 PAB 9.83

$7.86 PAB 7.86

$14.74 PAB 14.74

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 PAB 1.26

$0.84 PAB 0.84

$2.25 PAB 2.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 PAB 2.46

$1.29 PAB 1.29

$4.12 PAB 4.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.41 PAB 0.41

$0.34 PAB 0.34

$0.48 PAB 0.48

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.67 PAB 22.67

$20.15 PAB 20.15

$40.31 PAB 40.31

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 PAB 2.56

$2.05 PAB 2.05

$3.59 PAB 3.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 PAB 1.78

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$3.93 PAB 3.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.26 PAB 22.26

$14.16 PAB 14.16

$25.29 PAB 25.29

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 PAB 0.93

$0.89 PAB 0.89

$1.07 PAB 1.07

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

$19.5K PAB 19.5K

$18.8K PAB 18.8K

$23.2K PAB 23.2K

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

$20.2K PAB 20.2K

$19.4K PAB 19.4K

$22.7K PAB 22.7K

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

$125 PAB 125

$91.2 PAB 91.2

$203 PAB 203

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

$30.03 PAB 30.03

$21.13 PAB 21.13

$40.24 PAB 40.24

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.56 PAB 48.56

$39.45 PAB 39.45

$69.1 PAB 69.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.20 PAB 46.20

$30.42 PAB 30.42

$81.1 PAB 81.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.29 PAB 32.29

$19.87 PAB 19.87

$49.67 PAB 49.67

Cinema Ticket

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$6.47 PAB 6.47

$14.92 PAB 14.92

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

$474 PAB 474

$329 PAB 329

$996 PAB 996

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K PAB 15.8K

$12.0K PAB 12.0K

$20.1K PAB 20.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.9 PAB 51.9

$25.19 PAB 25.19

$70.5 PAB 70.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.99 PAB 46.99

$15.29 PAB 15.29

$102 PAB 102

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.0 PAB 89.0

$69.8 PAB 69.8

$99.7 PAB 99.7

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 PAB 120

$49.74 PAB 49.74

$199 PAB 199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,146 PAB 1,146

$754 PAB 754

$1,708 PAB 1,708

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$884 PAB 884

$649 PAB 649

$1,499 PAB 1,499

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,014 PAB 2,014

$1,487 PAB 1,487

$2,974 PAB 2,974

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,586 PAB 1,586

$1,006 PAB 1,006

$2,515 PAB 2,515

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,112 PAB 3,112

$2,985 PAB 2,985

$3,271 PAB 3,271

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,734 PAB 1,734

$1,544 PAB 1,544

$2,023 PAB 2,023

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$873 PAB 873

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Panama City Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

129

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

272

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.