Cost of living in Panama compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 23% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 12 B/. (83元) | 45元 | + 82% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (48元) | 34元 | + 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.16 B/. (22元) | 15元 | + 44% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.57 B/. (11元) | 15元 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.42 B/. (17元) | 13元 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. (17元) | 8元 | + 115% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. (43元) | 59元 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.11 B/. (22元) | 15元 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.22 B/. (16元) | 6.00元 | + 160% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 0.93 B/. (7元) | 5.17元 | + 27% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 9 B/. (63元) | 112元 | - 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.53 B/. (18元) | 8元 | + 122% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.27 B/. (9元) | 14元 | - 36% | |
| Housing | + 24% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 24% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,308 B/. (9,194元) | 9,398元 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 862 B/. (6,062元) | 4,943元 | + 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 123 B/. (865元) | 431元 | + 101% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 924 B/. (6,495元) | 5,740元 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 605 B/. (4,256元) | 3,007元 | + 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 87 B/. (610元) | 285元 | + 114% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 31 B/. (217元) | 96元 | + 127% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 374 B/. (2,630元) | 2,464元 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 111 B/. (783元) | 561元 | + 40% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. (59元) | 38元 | + 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4.73 B/. (33元) | 47元 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 49 B/. (343元) | 481元 | - 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 35 B/. (244元) | 250元 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 75 B/. (529元) | 647元 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 77 B/. (544元) | 620元 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | + 14% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 14% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,428 B/. (143,593元) | 134,340元 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.83 B/. (5.87元) | 7元 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 30 B/. (212元) | 149元 | + 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 15% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 15% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 8 B/. (59元) | 37元 | + 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 27 B/. (192元) | 45元 | + 324% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 46 B/. (320元) | 347元 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 4.54 B/. (32元) | 62元 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.80 B/. (27元) | 47元 | - 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.12 B/. (36元) | 31元 | + 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.41 B/. (17元) | 8元 | + 104% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.59 B/. (18元) | 12元 | + 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 14 B/. (98元) | 71元 | + 39% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 15% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 34 B/. (239元) | 177元 | + 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 12 B/. (86元) | 100元 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 48 B/. (340元) | 1,029元 | - 67% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 58 B/. (407元) | 395元 | + 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. (68元) | 68元 | - 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3.98 B/. (28元) | 33元 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.02 B/. (21元) | 31元 | - 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 559 B/. (3,930元) | 3,256元 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.18 B/. (1.23元) | 0.31元 | + 298% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 49 B/. (345元) | 335元 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.33 B/. (37元) | 22元 | + 71% | |
| TOTAL | + 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 24, 2020.
Exchange rate:
7.029
CNY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,230 prices entered by 441 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 16% more expensive than in China
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