Cost of living in United States compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | + 58% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 58% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| United States | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (21 B/.) | 15 B/. | + 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (12 B/.) | 7 B/. | + 60% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.83 (5.83 B/.) | 3.00 B/. | + 94% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.11 (1.11 B/.) | 1.77 B/. | - 37% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.26 (5.26 B/.) | 2.61 B/. | + 102% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.89 (4.89 B/.) | 2.47 B/. | + 98% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (7 B/.) | 6 B/. | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.28 (4.28 B/.) | 3.32 B/. | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.32 (2.32 B/.) | 2.27 B/. | + 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.55 (3.55 B/.) | 1.39 B/. | + 156% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (18 B/.) | 9 B/. | + 90% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.94 (2.94 B/.) | 2.29 B/. | + 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.19 (3.19 B/.) | 2.19 B/. | + 46% | |
| Housing | + 113% | |||
| Housing in United States is 113% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| United States | Panama | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,300 (3,300 B/.) | 1,470 B/. | + 125% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,476 (2,476 B/.) | 969 B/. | + 155% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $228 (228 B/.) | 126 B/. | + 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,269 (2,269 B/.) | 921 B/. | + 146% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,668 (1,668 B/.) | 607 B/. | + 175% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $165 (165 B/.) | 97 B/. | + 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $63 (63 B/.) | 44 B/. | + 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $255 (255 B/.) | 280 B/. | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $147 (147 B/.) | 131 B/. | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (15 B/.) | 22 B/. | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (34 B/.) | 11 B/. | + 202% | |
| Clothes | + 8% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 8% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| United States | Panama | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (58 B/.) | 44 B/. | + 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 (51 B/.) | 49 B/. | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (105 B/.) | 110 B/. | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $144 (144 B/.) | 146 B/. | - 2% | |
| Transportation | + 112% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 112% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| United States | Panama | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,907 (30,907 B/.) | 24,370 B/. | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.95 (0.95 B/.) | 0.97 B/. | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $88 (88 B/.) | 27 B/. | + 222% | |
| Personal Care | + 11% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 11% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| United States | Panama | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (9 B/.) | 10 B/. | - 15% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 (21 B/.) | 19 B/. | + 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $164 (164 B/.) | 63 B/. | + 160% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (9 B/.) | 11 B/. | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.20 (5.20 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 27% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (7 B/.) | 9 B/. | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.15 (5.15 B/.) | 4.49 B/. | + 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.32 (2.32 B/.) | 3.34 B/. | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (31 B/.) | 45 B/. | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | + 28% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 28% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| United States | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (61 B/.) | 36 B/. | + 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (30 B/.) | 11 B/. | + 168% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $220 (220 B/.) | 35 B/. | + 529% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (104 B/.) | 66 B/. | + 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (15 B/.) | 17 B/. | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.86 (5.86 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (8 B/.) | 4.62 B/. | + 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $495 (495 B/.) | 805 B/. | - 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.54 (0.54 B/.) | 0.50 B/. | + 8% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $74 (74 B/.) | 57 B/. | + 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (11 B/.) | 8 B/. | + 42% | |
| TOTAL | + 69% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 16,851 prices entered by 2,040 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.000
PAB
/
USD
Cost of living in United States is 69% more expensive than in Panama
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