Cost of living in Panama compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 12 B/. (¥1,259) | ¥1,030 | + 22% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (¥743) | ¥723 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.37 B/. (¥367) | ¥464 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.58 B/. (¥172) | ¥214 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.41 B/. (¥263) | ¥284 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. (¥269) | ¥501 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. (¥666) | ¥1,191 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.11 B/. (¥339) | ¥734 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.23 B/. (¥244) | ¥385 | - 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 0.88 B/. (¥96) | ¥257 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 9 B/. (¥970) | ¥1,788 | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.48 B/. (¥271) | ¥217 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.30 B/. (¥142) | ¥244 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,336 B/. (¥145,755) | ¥229,251 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 828 B/. (¥90,314) | ¥119,039 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 130 B/. (¥14,171) | ¥14,600 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 924 B/. (¥100,794) | ¥136,696 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 605 B/. (¥66,044) | ¥114,972 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 91 B/. (¥9,965) | ¥10,415 | - 4% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 31 B/. (¥3,433) | ¥3,500 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 374 B/. (¥40,841) | ¥40,095 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 107 B/. (¥11,685) | ¥10,420 | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. (¥903) | ¥803 | + 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4.67 B/. (¥509) | ¥1,906 | - 73% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 14% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 51 B/. (¥5,602) | ¥5,921 | - 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 35 B/. (¥3,862) | ¥4,587 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 78 B/. (¥8,494) | ¥8,447 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 80 B/. (¥8,682) | ¥12,915 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,077 B/. (¥2,190,071) | ¥2,936,380 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.82 B/. (¥89) | ¥143 | - 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 32 B/. (¥3,483) | ¥9,719 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | - 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 9 B/. (¥948) | ¥1,375 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28 B/. (¥3,063) | ¥807 | + 279% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 47 B/. (¥5,082) | ¥8,290 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 4.54 B/. (¥496) | ¥543 | - 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 4.01 B/. (¥438) | ¥696 | - 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.42 B/. (¥592) | ¥558 | + 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.51 B/. (¥274) | ¥186 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.47 B/. (¥269) | ¥229 | + 17% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15 B/. (¥1,584) | ¥2,634 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 34 B/. (¥3,751) | ¥3,927 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. (¥1,369) | ¥3,170 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 46 B/. (¥4,975) | ¥10,399 | - 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 57 B/. (¥6,255) | ¥7,477 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. (¥1,051) | ¥1,286 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3.96 B/. (¥432) | ¥495 | - 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.72 B/. (¥297) | ¥522 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 559 B/. (¥60,938) | ¥47,253 | + 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24 B/. (¥26) | ¥26 | - 2% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 50 B/. (¥5,473) | ¥8,663 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.35 B/. (¥583) | ¥480 | + 22% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2020.
Exchange rate:
109.086
JPY
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,381 prices entered by 281 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 31% cheaper than in Japan
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