Cost of living in Panama compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 14 B/. (¥1,819) | ¥1,510 | + 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. (¥985) | ¥777 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.91 B/. (¥508) | ¥442 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.63 B/. (¥211) | ¥210 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.85 B/. (¥371) | ¥332 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.07 B/. (¥269) | ¥626 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7 B/. (¥936) | ¥855 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.55 B/. (¥332) | ¥1,035 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 1.96 B/. (¥255) | ¥461 | - 45% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.51 B/. (¥196) | ¥271 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 13 B/. (¥1,733) | ¥1,299 | + 33% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.44 B/. (¥318) | ¥205 | + 55% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.61 B/. (¥210) | ¥227 | - 7% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,273 B/. (¥165,441) | ¥218,917 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 852 B/. (¥110,773) | ¥128,457 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 127 B/. (¥16,559) | ¥27,749 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 908 B/. (¥117,953) | ¥187,909 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 556 B/. (¥72,265) | ¥76,748 | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 78 B/. (¥10,175) | ¥19,268 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 46 B/. (¥6,014) | ¥4,419 | + 36% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 340 B/. (¥44,165) | ¥43,152 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 106 B/. (¥13,806) | ¥17,240 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. (¥1,086) | ¥1,196 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 15 B/. (¥1,974) | ¥3,024 | - 35% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 5% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 48 B/. (¥6,208) | ¥6,406 | - 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26 B/. (¥3,398) | ¥3,885 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 79 B/. (¥10,254) | ¥8,497 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 83 B/. (¥10,852) | ¥10,842 | + 0% | |
| Transportation | - 46% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 22,433 B/. (¥2,915,703) | ¥3,145,430 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.29 B/. (¥168) | ¥167 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 42 B/. (¥5,410) | ¥13,986 | - 61% | |
| Personal Care | + 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 37% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 8 B/. (¥1,090) | ¥2,137 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 32 B/. (¥4,220) | ¥1,967 | + 115% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 62 B/. (¥8,074) | ¥4,294 | + 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 9 B/. (¥1,155) | ¥677 | + 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.05 B/. (¥657) | ¥635 | + 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. (¥904) | ¥529 | + 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.79 B/. (¥493) | ¥195 | + 153% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.38 B/. (¥439) | ¥192 | + 129% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 19 B/. (¥2,464) | ¥3,899 | - 37% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Panama | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 29 B/. (¥3,775) | ¥3,808 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. (¥1,628) | ¥3,606 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 55 B/. (¥7,178) | ¥9,510 | - 25% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 47 B/. (¥6,161) | ¥6,842 | - 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8 B/. (¥1,102) | ¥1,086 | + 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.69 B/. (¥740) | ¥566 | + 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.75 B/. (¥357) | ¥564 | - 37% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 651 B/. (¥84,628) | ¥106,060 | - 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.22 B/. (¥29) | ¥56 | - 48% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 47 B/. (¥6,151) | ¥12,147 | - 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.66 B/. (¥735) | ¥600 | + 23% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
129.974
JPY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,517 prices entered by 168 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 24% cheaper than in Japan
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