Cost of living in Panama compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 17% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Panama | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 14 B/. (£11) | £15 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. (£5.59) | £8 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.36 B/. (£2.52) | £3.90 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.78 B/. (£1.33) | £1.07 | + 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3.03 B/. (£2.26) | £3.76 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. (£1.85) | £2.42 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7 B/. (£5.47) | £4.90 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.03 B/. (£2.27) | £1.99 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.27 B/. (£1.69) | £0.87 | + 95% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.55 B/. (£1.16) | £2.01 | - 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 12 B/. (£9) | £10 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.55 B/. (£1.91) | £2.17 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.19 B/. (£1.64) | £1.03 | + 59% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 48% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Panama | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,591 B/. (£1,190) | £2,775 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,002 B/. (£749) | £1,995 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 153 B/. (£115) | £175 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,004 B/. (£750) | £1,600 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 658 B/. (£492) | £1,224 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 97 B/. (£73) | £136 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 45 B/. (£33) | £26 | + 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 280 B/. (£209) | £269 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 131 B/. (£98) | £98 | + 0% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 19 B/. (£14) | £7 | + 99% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11 B/. (£8) | £15 | - 46% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 12% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Panama | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 50 B/. (£38) | £69 | - 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 49 B/. (£37) | £35 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 110 B/. (£82) | £81 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 146 B/. (£110) | £85 | + 29% | |
| Transportation | - 69% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 69% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Panama | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 24,370 B/. (£18,223) | £27,498 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.97 B/. (£0.73) | £1.43 | - 49% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 27 B/. (£20) | £107 | - 81% | |
| Personal Care | + 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 52% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Panama | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 10 B/. (£8) | £3.28 | + 136% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 19 B/. (£14) | £8 | + 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 80 B/. (£60) | £72 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 11 B/. (£9) | £3.86 | + 122% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 7 B/. (£5.33) | £2.18 | + 144% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 9 B/. (£6) | £4.76 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 4.49 B/. (£3.36) | £2.28 | + 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.34 B/. (£2.50) | £2.00 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 40 B/. (£30) | £16 | + 87% | |
| Entertainment | + 0% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
| Panama | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 36 B/. (£27) | £40 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. (£8) | £23 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 35 B/. (£26) | £110 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 66 B/. (£49) | £65 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 17 B/. (£13) | £12 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 8 B/. (£6) | £3.88 | + 60% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4.62 B/. (£3.45) | £6 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 805 B/. (£602) | £427 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.50 B/. (£0.37) | £0.13 | + 199% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 57 B/. (£43) | £42 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8 B/. (£6) | £15 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 39% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,111 prices entered by 442 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.748
GBP
/
PAB
Cost of living in Panama is 39% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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