Cost of living in Panama compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 18% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 14 B/. (¥2,122) | ¥1,000 | + 112% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. (¥1,151) | ¥722 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.71 B/. (¥551) | ¥512 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2.12 B/. (¥315) | ¥204 | + 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3.17 B/. (¥470) | ¥324 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.51 B/. (¥373) | ¥616 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7 B/. (¥1,029) | ¥932 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.92 B/. (¥433) | ¥800 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.14 B/. (¥317) | ¥542 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.29 B/. (¥191) | ¥290 | - 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 13 B/. (¥1,988) | ¥1,238 | + 61% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.55 B/. (¥379) | ¥237 | + 60% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.70 B/. (¥252) | ¥205 | + 23% | |
| Housing | - 9% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 9% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,450 B/. (¥215,033) | ¥278,877 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 852 B/. (¥126,348) | ¥150,711 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 147 B/. (¥21,743) | ¥23,456 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 939 B/. (¥139,196) | ¥149,073 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 939 B/. (¥139,308) | ¥80,601 | + 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 89 B/. (¥13,188) | ¥36,500 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 43 B/. (¥6,327) | ¥4,379 | + 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 346 B/. (¥51,342) | ¥52,721 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 98 B/. (¥14,485) | ¥17,628 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7 B/. (¥1,098) | ¥1,017 | + 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4.70 B/. (¥697) | ¥1,313 | - 47% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 49 B/. (¥7,274) | ¥6,007 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 33 B/. (¥4,961) | ¥5,278 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 87 B/. (¥12,832) | ¥9,959 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 79 B/. (¥11,772) | ¥13,627 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,405 B/. (¥3,026,071) | ¥2,740,140 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.35 B/. (¥201) | ¥170 | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 31 B/. (¥4,636) | ¥9,951 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 12% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 7 B/. (¥1,099) | ¥2,154 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 17 B/. (¥2,536) | ¥2,551 | - 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 28 B/. (¥4,215) | ¥5,499 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 5.50 B/. (¥815) | ¥1,340 | - 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.42 B/. (¥507) | ¥842 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. (¥1,041) | ¥750 | + 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.52 B/. (¥522) | ¥225 | + 132% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.31 B/. (¥492) | ¥233 | + 111% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15 B/. (¥2,295) | ¥3,251 | - 29% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 34 B/. (¥5,053) | ¥4,367 | + 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. (¥1,910) | ¥3,572 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 36 B/. (¥5,269) | ¥4,524 | + 16% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 58 B/. (¥8,541) | ¥6,047 | + 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. (¥1,474) | ¥901 | + 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.48 B/. (¥813) | ¥487 | + 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.83 B/. (¥419) | ¥590 | - 29% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 663 B/. (¥98,389) | ¥98,506 | - 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.29 B/. (¥42) | ¥52 | - 19% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 49 B/. (¥7,248) | ¥9,275 | - 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.65 B/. (¥838) | ¥584 | + 43% | |
| TOTAL | - 10% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
148.300
JPY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,410 prices entered by 180 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 10% cheaper than in Japan
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