Cost of living in Panama City, Panama vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Panama City (Panama) is 33% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 13 B/. ($13) | $19 | - 32% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. ($7) | $11 | - 33% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.07 B/. ($3.05) | $5.19 | - 41% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.47 B/. ($1.46) | $1.21 | + 21% | |
12 eggs, large | 2.81 B/. ($2.79) | $3.92 | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.71 B/. ($2.69) | $4.21 | - 36% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. ($5.97) | $7 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.22 B/. ($3.20) | $4.37 | - 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.00 B/. ($1.98) | $2.38 | - 17% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.04 B/. ($1.03) | $2.95 | - 65% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 10 B/. ($10) | $18 | - 47% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2.22 B/. ($2.20) | $2.37 | - 7% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.61 B/. ($1.60) | $2.24 | - 29% | |
Housing | - 54% | |||
Housing in Panama City (Panama) is 54% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,323 B/. ($1,315) | $3,253 | - 60% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 911 B/. ($906) | $2,659 | - 66% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 112 B/. ($112) | $149 | - 25% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 986 B/. ($980) | $2,410 | - 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 653 B/. ($649) | $1,555 | - 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 96 B/. ($96) | $114 | - 16% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 40 B/. ($40) | $38 | + 4% | |
40” flat screen tv | 401 B/. ($398) | $329 | + 21% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 124 B/. ($124) | $128 | - 3% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 6 B/. ($6) | $10 | - 38% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.98 B/. ($5.94) | $37 | - 84% | |
Clothes | - 26% | |||
Clothes in Panama City (Panama) is 26% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 48 B/. ($48) | $49 | - 3% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 34 B/. ($34) | $50 | - 32% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 69 B/. ($69) | $89 | - 23% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 80 B/. ($79) | $112 | - 29% | |
Transportation | - 44% | |||
Transportation in Panama City (Panama) is 44% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,059 B/. ($18,945) | $23,712 | - 20% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.67 B/. ($0.67) | $0.92 | - 28% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 37 B/. ($36) | $81 | - 55% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 12 B/. ($12) | $19 | - 35% | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Panama City (Panama) is 23% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 9 B/. ($9) | $7 | + 29% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 23 B/. ($23) | $21 | + 10% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 42 B/. ($41) | $110 | - 63% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 4.39 B/. ($4.36) | $7 | - 37% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.60 B/. ($3.58) | $3.71 | - 4% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.71 B/. ($5.68) | $5.68 | + 0% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.20 B/. ($2.19) | $3.57 | - 39% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 2.57 B/. ($2.55) | $1.93 | + 33% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15 B/. ($15) | $21 | - 28% | |
Entertainment | - 37% | |||
Entertainment in Panama City (Panama) is 37% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 32 B/. ($32) | $50 | - 36% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 12 B/. ($12) | $27 | - 57% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 45 B/. ($45) | $202 | - 78% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 55 B/. ($55) | $89 | - 39% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. ($10) | $13 | - 26% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.84 B/. ($4.81) | $5.70 | - 16% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.83 B/. ($3.81) | $8 | - 51% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 519 B/. ($515) | $436 | + 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24 B/. ($0.23) | $0.43 | - 46% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 48 B/. ($47) | $62 | - 24% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.49 B/. ($5.46) | $9 | - 39% | |
TOTAL | - 43% |

These prices were last updated on March 07, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.994
USD
/
PAB
Do you live in San Jose, California? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in San Francisco, California is about the same as in San Francisco, California
- Cost of living in Madrid is 133% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Valencia is 87% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 18% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Sarajevo is 12% more expensive than in Novi Sad
- Cost of living in Copenhagen is 16% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Victoria is 7% cheaper than in Vancouver
- Cost of living in Florianopolis is 37% cheaper than in Montevideo
- Cost of living in New York City is 114% more expensive than in Beijing
- Cost of living in Barcelona is about the same as in Madrid
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Calgary (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dallas, Texas (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Francisco, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Barranquilla (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Diego, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Quito (Ecuador)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Guatemala City (Guatemala)
Cost of living in Panama City (Panama) is 43% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $11,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $6,249 (6,286 B/.) in Panama City.
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Chicago, Illinois costs $20 (2 minutes ago)
- Ipad wi-fi 128gb in Cúcuta costs COL$1,700,000 (33 minutes ago)
- 1 year rent - 480 sqft furnished studio in expensive area in San Jose, California costs $10,932 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Fortaleza costs R$ 20 (about 3 hours ago)
- Monthly rate for domestic cleaning help in Macao costs 31 Pataca (about 4 hours ago)
- Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Laguna Niguel, California costs $23,000 (about 5 hours ago)