Cost of Living in Panama City - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Panama City
Address: Panama City, PA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $788 (excluding rent), and $1,814 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,888 (excluding rent), and $3,672 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.84 PAB 9.84

$5.41 PAB 5.41

$19.68 PAB 19.68

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.8 PAB 50.8

$40.65 PAB 40.65

$102 PAB 102

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.96 PAB 7.96

$6.96 PAB 6.96

$8.95 PAB 8.95

Cappuccino

$3.71 PAB 3.71

$2.06 PAB 2.06

$5.14 PAB 5.14

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

$1.73 PAB 1.73

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$2.56 PAB 2.56

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)

$2.91 PAB 2.91

$1.7 PAB 1.7

$3.89 PAB 3.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.89 PAB 3.89

$2.92 PAB 2.92

$5.83 PAB 5.83

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 PAB 1.87

$1.51 PAB 1.51

$2.02 PAB 2.02

White Bread (500g)

$2.55 PAB 2.55

$1.11 PAB 1.11

$4.04 PAB 4.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.48 PAB 2.48

$1.45 PAB 1.45

$4.44 PAB 4.44

Eggs

$2.81 PAB 2.81

$1.17 PAB 1.17

$3.51 PAB 3.51

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.61 PAB 11.61

$3.96 PAB 3.96

$17.92 PAB 17.92

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.2 PAB 7.2

$3.51 PAB 3.51

$11.06 PAB 11.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.74 PAB 9.74

$4.9 PAB 4.9

$15.68 PAB 15.68

Apples (1kg)

$3.44 PAB 3.44

$1.54 PAB 1.54

$5.13 PAB 5.13

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 PAB 1.5

$0.89 PAB 0.89

$2.96 PAB 2.96

Oranges (1kg)

$2.75 PAB 2.75

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$6.35 PAB 6.35

Tomato (1kg)

$3.09 PAB 3.09

$1.96 PAB 1.96

$4.32 PAB 4.32

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 PAB 2.21

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$2.93 PAB 2.93

Onion (1kg)

$2.9 PAB 2.9

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$5.11 PAB 5.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 PAB 2.18

$1.24 PAB 1.24

$3.18 PAB 3.18

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.51 PAB 1.51

$0.78 PAB 0.78

$2.44 PAB 2.44

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.17 PAB 6.17

$5.66 PAB 5.66

$6.69 PAB 6.69

Wine (Bottle)

$10.09 PAB 10.09

$8.07 PAB 8.07

$15.14 PAB 15.14

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.3 PAB 1.3

$0.87 PAB 0.87

$2.33 PAB 2.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 PAB 2.45

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$4.1 PAB 4.1

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)

$22.4 PAB 22.4

$19.91 PAB 19.91

$39.82 PAB 39.82

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.48 PAB 2.48

$1.99 PAB 1.99

$3.47 PAB 3.47

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 PAB 1.85

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$4.1 PAB 4.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.98 PAB 21.98

$13.99 PAB 13.99

$24.98 PAB 24.98

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 PAB 0.88

$0.84 PAB 0.84

$1.01 PAB 1.01

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

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

$19K PAB 19K

$23.5K PAB 23.5K

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

$20.9K PAB 20.9K

$20K PAB 20K

$23.4K PAB 23.4K

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

$121 PAB 121

$88.2 PAB 88.2

$196 PAB 196

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

$29.32 PAB 29.32

$20.63 PAB 20.63

$39.29 PAB 39.29

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.98 PAB 49.98

$40.61 PAB 40.61

$71.1 PAB 71.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.24 PAB 46.24

$30.45 PAB 30.45

$81.2 PAB 81.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$32.69 PAB 32.69

$20.12 PAB 20.12

$50.3 PAB 50.3

Cinema Ticket

$8.1 PAB 8.1

$6.58 PAB 6.58

$15.18 PAB 15.18

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

$469 PAB 469

$325 PAB 325

$985 PAB 985

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K PAB 15.5K

$11.8K PAB 11.8K

$19.7K PAB 19.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52 PAB 52

$25.26 PAB 25.26

$70.7 PAB 70.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.51 PAB 45.51

$14.8 PAB 14.8

$98.7 PAB 98.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88 PAB 88

$69 PAB 69

$98.6 PAB 98.6

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 PAB 121

$49.86 PAB 49.86

$199 PAB 199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,163 PAB 1,163

$765 PAB 765

$1,733 PAB 1,733

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$875 PAB 875

$643 PAB 643

$1,484 PAB 1,484

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,017 PAB 2,017

$1,490 PAB 1,490

$2,979 PAB 2,979

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,587 PAB 1,587

$1,007 PAB 1,007

$2,517 PAB 2,517

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,755 PAB 2,755

$1,968 PAB 1,968

$3,443 PAB 3,443

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,704 PAB 1,704

$1,017 PAB 1,017

$2,238 PAB 2,238

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$997 PAB 997

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

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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.