Cost of living in Panama compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 51% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 20 B/. (137元) | 43元 | + 216% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. (51元) | 37元 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.21 B/. (22元) | 17元 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.60 B/. (11元) | 14元 | - 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.57 B/. (17元) | 16元 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.32 B/. (16元) | 9元 | + 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8 B/. (54元) | 48元 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.42 B/. (16元) | 13元 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.44 B/. (16元) | 6元 | + 172% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.48 B/. (10元) | 7元 | + 49% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 16 B/. (106元) | 97元 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.49 B/. (17元) | 9元 | + 81% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.02 B/. (14元) | 13元 | + 3% | |
| Housing | - 15% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 15% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,294 B/. (8,753元) | 13,898元 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 748 B/. (5,061元) | 8,379元 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 94 B/. (639元) | 462元 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 860 B/. (5,817元) | 6,525元 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 480 B/. (3,245元) | 4,376元 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 75 B/. (509元) | 516元 | - 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 30 B/. (205元) | 140元 | + 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 331 B/. (2,239元) | 1,829元 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 136 B/. (917元) | 546元 | + 68% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7 B/. (49元) | 50元 | - 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 16 B/. (107元) | 66元 | + 62% | |
| Clothes | - 22% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 22% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 47 B/. (319元) | 511元 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 38 B/. (256元) | 288元 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 76 B/. (516元) | 654元 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 80 B/. (538元) | 844元 | - 36% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 9% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,986 B/. (141,958元) | 148,501元 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.20 B/. (8元) | 8元 | - 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 38 B/. (254元) | 206元 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 53% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 7 B/. (49元) | 28元 | + 74% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 24 B/. (163元) | 27元 | + 504% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 64 B/. (433元) | 386元 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 6 B/. (44元) | 30元 | + 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.29 B/. (36元) | 19元 | + 85% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. (47元) | 44元 | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.83 B/. (19元) | 21元 | - 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.32 B/. (22元) | 16元 | + 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 16 B/. (111元) | 82元 | + 35% | |
| Entertainment | + 32% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 32% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 42 B/. (286元) | 260元 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. (85元) | 122元 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 67 B/. (452元) | 417元 | + 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 55 B/. (375元) | 319元 | + 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7 B/. (46元) | 90元 | - 49% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.27 B/. (29元) | 31元 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.13 B/. (21元) | 19元 | + 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 882 B/. (5,965元) | 2,968元 | + 101% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.30 B/. (2.05元) | 0.24元 | + 741% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 51 B/. (343元) | 410元 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 7 B/. (46元) | 38元 | + 22% | |
| TOTAL | + 12% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,737 prices entered by 168 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
6.764
CNY
/
PAB
Cost of living in Panama is 12% more expensive than in China
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