Cost of living in Panama compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 12 B/. (¥1,221) | ¥954 | + 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (¥731) | ¥699 | + 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2.86 B/. (¥298) | ¥444 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.52 B/. (¥159) | ¥200 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.98 B/. (¥311) | ¥253 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.68 B/. (¥279) | ¥622 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 5.99 B/. (¥624) | ¥903 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.92 B/. (¥304) | ¥771 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.01 B/. (¥210) | ¥384 | - 45% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.02 B/. (¥106) | ¥306 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 10 B/. (¥1,046) | ¥1,331 | - 21% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.18 B/. (¥228) | ¥199 | + 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.65 B/. (¥172) | ¥226 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 38% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 38% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,298 B/. (¥135,327) | ¥268,095 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 919 B/. (¥95,781) | ¥150,794 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 109 B/. (¥11,393) | ¥23,880 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 918 B/. (¥95,673) | ¥140,127 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 673 B/. (¥70,118) | ¥77,433 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 79 B/. (¥8,255) | ¥12,855 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 B/. (¥4,282) | ¥4,197 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 389 B/. (¥40,566) | ¥63,991 | - 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 101 B/. (¥10,521) | ¥10,809 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. (¥789) | ¥901 | - 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.37 B/. (¥560) | ¥2,418 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 44 B/. (¥4,611) | ¥6,941 | - 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 38 B/. (¥3,930) | ¥4,416 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 68 B/. (¥7,047) | ¥8,088 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 78 B/. (¥8,110) | ¥12,131 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 54% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 54% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,866 B/. (¥2,175,455) | ¥2,676,280 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.70 B/. (¥73) | ¥136 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 32 B/. (¥3,361) | ¥10,384 | - 68% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 11 B/. (¥1,176) | ¥1,225 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 19 B/. (¥2,017) | ¥1,626 | + 24% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 45 B/. (¥4,640) | ¥6,148 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3.83 B/. (¥399) | ¥812 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.02 B/. (¥315) | ¥655 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.59 B/. (¥583) | ¥501 | + 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.11 B/. (¥220) | ¥170 | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.90 B/. (¥302) | ¥229 | + 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 14 B/. (¥1,494) | ¥2,983 | - 50% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 33 B/. (¥3,397) | ¥3,633 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. (¥1,198) | ¥3,657 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 39 B/. (¥4,049) | ¥12,969 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 54 B/. (¥5,617) | ¥6,422 | - 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. (¥1,027) | ¥1,122 | - 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.62 B/. (¥482) | ¥445 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.94 B/. (¥411) | ¥556 | - 26% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 537 B/. (¥56,021) | ¥52,544 | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34 B/. (¥35) | ¥40 | - 12% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 46 B/. (¥4,813) | ¥9,497 | - 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.35 B/. (¥558) | ¥525 | + 6% | |
| TOTAL | - 35% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2021.
Exchange rate:
104.260
JPY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,544 prices entered by 230 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 35% cheaper than in Japan
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