Cost of Living in Santiago - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Santiago
Address: Santiago, PA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $579 (excluding rent), and $1,387 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,564 (excluding rent), and $2,682 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.38 PAB 4.38

$19.47 PAB 19.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.41 PAB 30.41

$101 PAB 101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.02 PAB 5.02

$9.04 PAB 9.04

Cappuccino

$3.59 PAB 3.59

$1.99 PAB 1.99

$4.97 PAB 4.97

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

$0.67 PAB 0.67

$2.4 PAB 2.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 PAB 0.76

$1.9 PAB 1.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$4.08 PAB 4.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 PAB 1.98

$5.94 PAB 5.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 PAB 1.83

$1.47 PAB 1.47

$1.98 PAB 1.98

White Bread (500g)

$2.45 PAB 2.45

$1.07 PAB 1.07

$3.89 PAB 3.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.42 PAB 2.42

$1.41 PAB 1.41

$4.33 PAB 4.33

Eggs

$2.96 PAB 2.96

$1.23 PAB 1.23

$3.7 PAB 3.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.39 PAB 11.39

$3.89 PAB 3.89

$17.57 PAB 17.57

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.32 PAB 7.32

$3.57 PAB 3.57

$11.23 PAB 11.23

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.77 PAB 9.77

$4.91 PAB 4.91

$15.72 PAB 15.72

Apples (1kg)

$3.46 PAB 3.46

$1.54 PAB 1.54

$5.15 PAB 5.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

$0.88 PAB 0.88

$2.93 PAB 2.93

Oranges (1kg)

$2.87 PAB 2.87

$1.02 PAB 1.02

$6.65 PAB 6.65

Tomato (1kg)

$3.11 PAB 3.11

$1.97 PAB 1.97

$4.33 PAB 4.33

Potato (1kg)

$2.29 PAB 2.29

$1.01 PAB 1.01

$3.04 PAB 3.04

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 PAB 2.77

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$4.88 PAB 4.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 PAB 2.25

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$3.28 PAB 3.28

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)

$6.18 PAB 6.18

$5.66 PAB 5.66

$6.69 PAB 6.69

Wine (Bottle)

$10.17 PAB 10.17

$8.14 PAB 8.14

$15.25 PAB 15.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.31 PAB 1.31

$0.87 PAB 0.87

$2.34 PAB 2.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 PAB 2.46

$1.29 PAB 1.29

$4.12 PAB 4.12

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.52 PAB 2.52

$2.02 PAB 2.02

$3.53 PAB 3.53

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 PAB 1.77

$0.98 PAB 0.98

$3.9 PAB 3.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.79 PAB 21.79

$13.87 PAB 13.87

$24.76 PAB 24.76

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 PAB 0.93

$0.89 PAB 0.89

$1.08 PAB 1.08

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

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

$19K PAB 19K

$23.6K PAB 23.6K

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

$20.7K PAB 20.7K

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

$23.2K PAB 23.2K

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

$122 PAB 122

$62.2 PAB 62.2

$204 PAB 204

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

$15.24 PAB 15.24

$40.65 PAB 40.65

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.01 PAB 43.01

$26.11 PAB 26.11

$69.9 PAB 69.9

Cinema Ticket

$7.77 PAB 7.77

$6.31 PAB 6.31

$14.56 PAB 14.56

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

$475 PAB 475

$330 PAB 330

$999 PAB 999

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.6K PAB 15.6K

$11.9K PAB 11.9K

$19.8K PAB 19.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.5 PAB 50.5

$24.5 PAB 24.5

$68.6 PAB 68.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.87 PAB 45.87

$14.92 PAB 14.92

$99.5 PAB 99.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.6 PAB 87.6

$68.7 PAB 68.7

$98.2 PAB 98.2

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 PAB 122

$50.3 PAB 50.3

$201 PAB 201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$454 PAB 454

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$659 PAB 659

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$658 PAB 658

$405 PAB 405

$911 PAB 911

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,105 PAB 1,105

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.23

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Santiago - Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santiago, Panama a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other regional hubs? For many, the city offers a practical balance between price and quality. Cost of Living in Santiago, Panama tends to be more affordable than Panama City, with solid options for housing, groceries, and services in mid-range neighborhoods. You can find comfortable apartments or houses for longer stays at predictable monthly costs, plus affordable local eateries and markets. Utilities and public transport stay reasonable, and you'll notice a slower pace that helps budgeting. Seasonality, such as rainy weeks, can affect prices for certain services, but not dramatically. Tip: Prioritize longer leases to lock in steadier costs and reduce surprises.

Daily life centers on practical choices: you’ll find mid-range apartments or casas in quieter residential areas and a bustling central market for affordable produce. For housing, start with online listings and local social groups; visit in person to test light, water pressure, and noise. Food options range from fresh fruit stands to modest bistros and inexpensive local meals – great for budgeting. Transport relies on buses, shared taxis, and walking; many places are walkable from core neighborhoods. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi are decent bets for workdays. Plan errands around the day’s heat or rain, and keep a simple packing list for day trips. Understanding the Santiago, Panama living cost can help you tailor your housing and grocery budget. Tip: Track transport and grocery spending to spot savings over time.

A solid approach is to think in simple buckets: housing, groceries, dining out, transport, and incidental costs. Favor a neighborhood that balances safety, access to markets, and quiet for focused work, like a residential center with easy bus lines. Build a flexible plan that uses local markets for fresh produce, and reserve some budget for occasional meals out in diverse neighborhoods to sample the culture. In Panama's climate, the wet season can impact outdoor activities and travel times, so build buffer days and adjust plans accordingly. Track your spending for a couple of weeks, then adjust categories to fit your pace of life. Tip: Use a simple monthly template to compare weekly costs against your actuals.