Cost of living in Panama City (Panama) is 68% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 677 prices entered by 83 different people.
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Food | + 69% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Panama City (Panama) is 69% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Georgetown (Penang) | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15 B/. (RM63) | RM23 | + 174% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. (RM32) | RM16 | + 101% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.59 B/. (RM15) | RM5.14 | + 195% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.74 B/. (RM7) | RM6 | + 19% | |
12 eggs, large | 2.74 B/. (RM12) | RM7 | + 66% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.12 B/. (RM9) | RM4.07 | + 120% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7 B/. (RM31) | RM29 | + 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.46 B/. (RM15) | RM9 | + 69% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 1.85 B/. (RM8) | RM3.78 | + 106% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.92 B/. (RM8) | RM13 | - 38% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 13 B/. (RM56) | RM79 | - 28% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2.45 B/. (RM10) | RM4.03 | + 156% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.57 B/. (RM7) | RM3.41 | + 94% | |
Housing | + 99% | |||
Housing in Panama City (Panama) is 99% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Georgetown (Penang) | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,298 B/. (RM5,474) | RM2,088 | + 162% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 906 B/. (RM3,820) | RM1,532 | + 149% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 133 B/. (RM559) | RM172 | + 225% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 974 B/. (RM4,110) | RM2,149 | + 91% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 611 B/. (RM2,577) | RM1,408 | + 83% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 83 B/. (RM350) | RM909 | - 61% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 48 B/. (RM203) | RM87 | + 133% | |
40” flat screen tv | 330 B/. (RM1,392) | RM1,100 | + 26% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 109 B/. (RM460) | RM496 | - 7% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9 B/. (RM37) | RM24 | + 58% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 15 B/. (RM62) | RM17 | + 255% | |
Clothes | + 5% | |||
Clothes in Panama City (Panama) is 5% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Georgetown (Penang) | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 46 B/. (RM193) | RM229 | - 16% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 29 B/. (RM123) | RM115 | + 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 81 B/. (RM340) | RM289 | + 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 84 B/. (RM354) | RM264 | + 34% | |
Transportation | + 38% | |||
Transportation in Panama City (Panama) is 38% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Georgetown (Penang) | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 22,346 B/. (RM94,274) | RM136,585 | - 31% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.30 B/. (RM5.47) | RM2.02 | + 172% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 42 B/. (RM176) | RM82 | + 113% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 11 B/. (RM44) | RM36 | + 23% | |
Personal Care | + 204% | |||
Personal Care in Panama City (Panama) is 204% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Georgetown (Penang) | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 7 B/. (RM31) | RM14 | + 119% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28 B/. (RM119) | RM23 | + 419% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 69 B/. (RM290) | RM49 | + 493% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 8 B/. (RM36) | RM17 | + 108% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.05 B/. (RM21) | RM11 | + 89% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. (RM30) | RM17 | + 84% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.81 B/. (RM16) | RM4.06 | + 295% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3.71 B/. (RM16) | RM8 | + 96% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 20 B/. (RM84) | RM27 | + 216% | |
Entertainment | + 61% | |||
Entertainment in Panama City (Panama) is 61% more expensive than in Georgetown (Penang) (Malaysia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Georgetown (Penang) | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 31 B/. (RM130) | RM148 | - 12% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. (RM55) | RM32 | + 72% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 45 B/. (RM188) | RM100 | + 87% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 50 B/. (RM212) | RM135 | + 58% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 9 B/. (RM38) | RM26 | + 46% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.66 B/. (RM24) | RM13 | + 81% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.23 B/. (RM14) | RM14 | - 2% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 694 B/. (RM2,927) | RM1,934 | + 51% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.29 B/. (RM1.21) | RM0.34 | + 254% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 48 B/. (RM200) | RM131 | + 53% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 7 B/. (RM27) | RM17 | + 58% | |
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TOTAL | + 68% |

These prices were last updated on February 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.219
MYR
/
PAB
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For example, you would need at least RM11,114 (2,634 B/.) in Panama City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM6,600 in Georgetown (Penang).
Do you live in Georgetown (Penang)? We need your help!
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