Cost of living in Panama compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 59% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 59% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 14 B/. (105元) | 42元 | + 149% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (55元) | 36元 | + 50% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.36 B/. (25元) | 15元 | + 66% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.78 B/. (13元) | 14元 | - 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3.03 B/. (22元) | 16元 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. (18元) | 11元 | + 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7 B/. (53元) | 50元 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.03 B/. (22元) | 16元 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.27 B/. (17元) | 7元 | + 149% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.55 B/. (11元) | 7元 | + 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 12 B/. (84元) | 94元 | - 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.55 B/. (19元) | 9元 | + 116% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.19 B/. (16元) | 13元 | + 27% | |
| Housing | + 32% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 32% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,591 B/. (11,630元) | 12,689元 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,002 B/. (7,324元) | 5,937元 | + 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 153 B/. (1,121元) | 450元 | + 149% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,004 B/. (7,334元) | 6,875元 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 658 B/. (4,805元) | 3,656元 | + 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 97 B/. (709元) | 296元 | + 139% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 45 B/. (327元) | 100元 | + 228% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 280 B/. (2,047元) | 1,460元 | + 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 131 B/. (958元) | 553元 | + 73% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 19 B/. (137元) | 43元 | + 218% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11 B/. (77元) | 55元 | + 40% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 14% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 44 B/. (318元) | 418元 | - 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 49 B/. (358元) | 296元 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 110 B/. (800元) | 553元 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 146 B/. (1,070元) | 705元 | + 52% | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is about the same as in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 24,370 B/. (178,099元) | 148,726元 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.97 B/. (7元) | 8元 | - 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 27 B/. (200元) | 228元 | - 13% | |
| Personal Care | + 79% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 79% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 10 B/. (76元) | 51元 | + 47% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 19 B/. (139元) | 84元 | + 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 80 B/. (586元) | 114元 | + 415% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 11 B/. (84元) | 67元 | + 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 7 B/. (52元) | 57元 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 B/. (62元) | 25元 | + 149% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 4.49 B/. (33元) | 7元 | + 372% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.34 B/. (24元) | 13元 | + 95% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 40 B/. (291元) | 85元 | + 244% | |
| Entertainment | + 89% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 89% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Panama | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 36 B/. (261元) | 178元 | + 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. (82元) | 109元 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 35 B/. (255元) | 1,179元 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 66 B/. (479元) | 320元 | + 50% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 17 B/. (123元) | 81元 | + 52% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 8 B/. (61元) | 28元 | + 120% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4.62 B/. (34元) | 15元 | + 122% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 805 B/. (5,882元) | 3,924元 | + 50% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.50 B/. (3.65元) | 0.34元 | + 991% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 57 B/. (420元) | 414元 | + 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8 B/. (59元) | 25元 | + 136% | |
| TOTAL | + 40% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,104 prices entered by 162 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
7.308
CNY
/
PAB
Cost of living in Panama is 40% more expensive than in China
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