Cost of living in Panama compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 21% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 12 B/. (75元) | 54元 | + 39% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (46元) | 36元 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2.65 B/. (17元) | 16元 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.40 B/. (9元) | 14元 | - 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.83 B/. (18元) | 14元 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.60 B/. (17元) | 8元 | + 98% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 5.99 B/. (39元) | 56元 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.92 B/. (19元) | 13元 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.03 B/. (13元) | 7元 | + 101% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.02 B/. (7元) | 6元 | + 7% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 10 B/. (63元) | 109元 | - 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.20 B/. (14元) | 9元 | + 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.64 B/. (11元) | 10元 | + 11% | |
| Housing | + 21% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 21% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,285 B/. (8,321元) | 7,537元 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 919 B/. (5,947元) | 4,597元 | + 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 109 B/. (707元) | 416元 | + 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 856 B/. (5,541元) | 6,994元 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 673 B/. (4,354元) | 3,863元 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 79 B/. (513元) | 264元 | + 94% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 B/. (266元) | 87元 | + 206% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 389 B/. (2,519元) | 2,180元 | + 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 101 B/. (653元) | 614元 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. (49元) | 46元 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.37 B/. (35元) | 45元 | - 22% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 5% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 44 B/. (286元) | 370元 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 38 B/. (244元) | 226元 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 68 B/. (438元) | 582元 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 78 B/. (504元) | 519元 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | + 12% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 12% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,866 B/. (135,084元) | 160,747元 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.70 B/. (4.55元) | 6元 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 44 B/. (283元) | 177元 | + 60% | |
| Personal Care | + 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 7% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 11 B/. (73元) | 29元 | + 152% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 19 B/. (125元) | 35元 | + 258% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 45 B/. (288元) | 488元 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3.83 B/. (25元) | 31元 | - 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.02 B/. (20元) | 38元 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.59 B/. (36元) | 33元 | + 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.11 B/. (14元) | 9元 | + 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.90 B/. (19元) | 10元 | + 83% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 14 B/. (93元) | 86元 | + 8% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 5% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30 B/. (192元) | 195元 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. (74元) | 95元 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 39 B/. (251元) | 996元 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 54 B/. (349元) | 413元 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 9 B/. (58元) | 71元 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.62 B/. (30元) | 34元 | - 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.92 B/. (25元) | 32元 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 537 B/. (3,479元) | 3,170元 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34 B/. (2.18元) | 0.55元 | + 298% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 46 B/. (299元) | 370元 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.35 B/. (35元) | 22元 | + 56% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 25, 2021.
Exchange rate:
6.474
CNY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,458 prices entered by 270 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 14% more expensive than in China
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