Cost of living in Panama compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 21% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Panama | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15 B/. (NZ$25) | NZ$25 | - 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (NZ$13) | NZ$16 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.00 B/. (NZ$5.17) | NZ$8 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.77 B/. (NZ$3.05) | NZ$2.29 | + 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.61 B/. (NZ$4.49) | NZ$11 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. (NZ$4.26) | NZ$8 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. (NZ$10) | NZ$8 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.32 B/. (NZ$5.72) | NZ$5.09 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.27 B/. (NZ$3.90) | NZ$4.05 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.39 B/. (NZ$2.39) | NZ$7 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 9 B/. (NZ$16) | NZ$19 | - 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.29 B/. (NZ$3.95) | NZ$4.63 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.19 B/. (NZ$3.77) | NZ$2.94 | + 28% | |
| Housing | - 31% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 31% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Panama | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,470 B/. (NZ$2,532) | NZ$3,887 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 969 B/. (NZ$1,670) | NZ$2,922 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 126 B/. (NZ$218) | NZ$203 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 921 B/. (NZ$1,586) | NZ$2,549 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 607 B/. (NZ$1,046) | NZ$2,011 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 97 B/. (NZ$167) | NZ$169 | - 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 44 B/. (NZ$76) | NZ$79 | - 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 280 B/. (NZ$483) | NZ$745 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 131 B/. (NZ$226) | NZ$194 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 22 B/. (NZ$37) | NZ$20 | + 83% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11 B/. (NZ$20) | NZ$39 | - 50% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 17% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Panama | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 44 B/. (NZ$75) | NZ$141 | - 47% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 49 B/. (NZ$84) | NZ$91 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 110 B/. (NZ$190) | NZ$211 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 146 B/. (NZ$252) | NZ$204 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | - 60% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 60% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| Panama | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 24,370 B/. (NZ$41,987) | NZ$47,093 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.97 B/. (NZ$1.67) | NZ$2.79 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 27 B/. (NZ$47) | NZ$186 | - 75% | |
| Personal Care | + 68% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 68% more expensive than in New Zealand | ||||
| Panama | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 10 B/. (NZ$18) | NZ$15 | + 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 19 B/. (NZ$33) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 63 B/. (NZ$109) | NZ$70 | + 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 11 B/. (NZ$20) | NZ$8 | + 147% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 7 B/. (NZ$12) | NZ$6 | + 97% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 B/. (NZ$15) | NZ$10 | + 50% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 4.49 B/. (NZ$8) | NZ$2.97 | + 161% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.34 B/. (NZ$5.75) | NZ$3.30 | + 74% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 45 B/. (NZ$78) | NZ$39 | + 101% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is about the same as in New Zealand | ||||
| Panama | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 36 B/. (NZ$62) | NZ$75 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. (NZ$19) | NZ$40 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 35 B/. (NZ$60) | NZ$251 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 66 B/. (NZ$113) | NZ$118 | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 17 B/. (NZ$29) | NZ$20 | + 48% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 8 B/. (NZ$14) | NZ$5.68 | + 153% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4.62 B/. (NZ$8) | NZ$14 | - 45% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 805 B/. (NZ$1,387) | NZ$1,174 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.50 B/. (NZ$0.86) | NZ$0.51 | + 69% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 57 B/. (NZ$99) | NZ$71 | + 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8 B/. (NZ$14) | NZ$40 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 869 prices entered by 102 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.723
NZD
/
PAB
Cost of living in Panama is 28% cheaper than in New Zealand
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