Cost of living in Panama compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 16 B/. (¥1,866) | ¥1,140 | + 64% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (¥778) | ¥728 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.35 B/. (¥388) | ¥418 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.57 B/. (¥182) | ¥210 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.26 B/. (¥262) | ¥275 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1.95 B/. (¥226) | ¥668 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 4.90 B/. (¥569) | ¥1,129 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.26 B/. (¥263) | ¥710 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.21 B/. (¥256) | ¥393 | - 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.34 B/. (¥156) | ¥255 | - 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11 B/. (¥1,316) | ¥1,985 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.23 B/. (¥258) | ¥206 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.27 B/. (¥148) | ¥211 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 15% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 15% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,481 B/. (¥171,703) | ¥217,328 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 856 B/. (¥99,320) | ¥126,162 | - 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 117 B/. (¥13,581) | ¥16,068 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 933 B/. (¥108,226) | ¥132,665 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 508 B/. (¥58,970) | ¥77,507 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 68 B/. (¥7,935) | ¥9,982 | - 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 B/. (¥4,725) | ¥4,119 | + 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 311 B/. (¥36,045) | ¥42,816 | - 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 113 B/. (¥13,050) | ¥15,187 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7 B/. (¥814) | ¥663 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 12 B/. (¥1,430) | ¥1,759 | - 19% | |
| Clothes | - 1% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 56 B/. (¥6,507) | ¥7,849 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 39 B/. (¥4,482) | ¥3,745 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 80 B/. (¥9,305) | ¥8,707 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 86 B/. (¥10,012) | ¥16,382 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 41% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 41% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 23,123 B/. (¥2,681,750) | ¥2,749,320 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.95 B/. (¥110) | ¥144 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 44 B/. (¥5,097) | ¥11,441 | - 55% | |
| Personal Care | - 4% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 7 B/. (¥758) | ¥700 | + 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 22 B/. (¥2,502) | ¥1,350 | + 85% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 48 B/. (¥5,539) | ¥5,760 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 6 B/. (¥698) | ¥2,342 | - 70% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.43 B/. (¥398) | ¥937 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. (¥778) | ¥540 | + 44% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.48 B/. (¥404) | ¥142 | + 185% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.04 B/. (¥352) | ¥247 | + 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 16 B/. (¥1,886) | ¥2,858 | - 34% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 5% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 32 B/. (¥3,688) | ¥4,449 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 14 B/. (¥1,631) | ¥3,459 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 64 B/. (¥7,466) | ¥16,372 | - 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 58 B/. (¥6,754) | ¥3,771 | + 79% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 9 B/. (¥987) | ¥1,130 | - 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.73 B/. (¥549) | ¥520 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.45 B/. (¥401) | ¥517 | - 23% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,211 B/. (¥140,465) | ¥56,570 | + 148% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.43 B/. (¥50) | ¥49 | + 3% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 59 B/. (¥6,791) | ¥9,121 | - 26% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4.18 B/. (¥485) | ¥554 | - 13% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2022.
Exchange rate:
115.977
JPY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,157 prices entered by 150 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 18% cheaper than in Japan
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