Cost of living in Panama compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 48% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 17 B/. (123元) | 46元 | + 168% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. (55元) | 40元 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4.47 B/. (32元) | 16元 | + 100% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.69 B/. (12元) | 18元 | - 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.82 B/. (20元) | 19元 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. (17元) | 11元 | + 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8 B/. (57元) | 62元 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.85 B/. (20元) | 15元 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.19 B/. (15元) | 6元 | + 147% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.49 B/. (11元) | 7元 | + 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 18 B/. (130元) | 116元 | + 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.45 B/. (17元) | 9元 | + 101% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.63 B/. (12元) | 16元 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 2% | |||
| Housing in Panama is about the same as in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,384 B/. (9,776元) | 15,641元 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 920 B/. (6,501元) | 9,134元 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 136 B/. (960元) | 405元 | + 137% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 995 B/. (7,029元) | 7,815元 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 850 B/. (6,002元) | 4,294元 | + 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 80 B/. (563元) | 249元 | + 126% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 45 B/. (319元) | 114元 | + 180% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 332 B/. (2,343元) | 1,086元 | + 116% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 96 B/. (679元) | 589元 | + 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7 B/. (53元) | 39元 | + 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.23 B/. (37元) | 51元 | - 27% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 47 B/. (331元) | 524元 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 31 B/. (218元) | 247元 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 91 B/. (643元) | 629元 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 93 B/. (655元) | 843元 | - 22% | |
| Transportation | + 11% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 11% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 22,199 B/. (156,845元) | 161,247元 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.26 B/. (9元) | 9元 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 36 B/. (252元) | 204元 | + 24% | |
| Personal Care | + 51% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 51% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 9 B/. (66元) | 39元 | + 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 23 B/. (164元) | 27元 | + 511% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 47 B/. (332元) | 391元 | - 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7 B/. (52元) | 53元 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.80 B/. (27元) | 33元 | - 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. (52元) | 34元 | + 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.71 B/. (26元) | 13元 | + 99% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.41 B/. (24元) | 15元 | + 64% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 16 B/. (116元) | 74元 | + 57% | |
| Entertainment | + 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 35% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 34 B/. (242元) | 265元 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 15 B/. (104元) | 110元 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 33 B/. (233元) | 1,294元 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 54 B/. (382元) | 348元 | + 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 11 B/. (79元) | 79元 | - 0% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.56 B/. (39元) | 29元 | + 34% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.67 B/. (19元) | 18元 | + 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 590 B/. (4,169元) | 3,321元 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.39 B/. (2.77元) | 0.20元 | + 1286% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 51 B/. (363元) | 410元 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.73 B/. (40元) | 24元 | + 67% | |
| TOTAL | + 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
7.065
CNY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,065 prices entered by 214 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 16% more expensive than in China
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