Cost of living in Panama compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 12 B/. ($12) | $14 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. ($7) | $8 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.37 B/. ($3.37) | $4.27 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.58 B/. ($1.58) | $0.87 | + 81% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.41 B/. ($2.41) | $3.03 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.47 B/. ($2.47) | $4.02 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. ($6) | $6 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.11 B/. ($3.11) | $3.37 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.23 B/. ($2.23) | $1.70 | + 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 0.88 B/. ($0.88) | $3.17 | - 72% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 9 B/. ($9) | $14 | - 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.48 B/. ($2.48) | $1.92 | + 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.30 B/. ($1.30) | $2.10 | - 38% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,336 B/. ($1,336) | $2,200 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 828 B/. ($828) | $1,580 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 130 B/. ($130) | $179 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 924 B/. ($924) | $1,579 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 605 B/. ($605) | $1,117 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 91 B/. ($91) | $118 | - 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 31 B/. ($31) | $48 | - 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 374 B/. ($374) | $302 | + 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 107 B/. ($107) | $119 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. ($8) | $11 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4.67 B/. ($4.66) | $22 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 51 B/. ($51) | $48 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 35 B/. ($35) | $43 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 78 B/. ($78) | $86 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 80 B/. ($80) | $111 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 42% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,077 B/. ($20,072) | $22,798 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.82 B/. ($0.82) | $0.76 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 32 B/. ($32) | $80 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 13% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 9 B/. ($9) | $7 | + 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28 B/. ($28) | $19 | + 50% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 47 B/. ($47) | $109 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 4.54 B/. ($4.54) | $6 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 4.01 B/. ($4.01) | $3.47 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.42 B/. ($5.42) | $4.90 | + 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.51 B/. ($2.51) | $3.46 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.47 B/. ($2.47) | $1.80 | + 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15 B/. ($15) | $21 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | - 18% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 34 B/. ($34) | $45 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. ($13) | $25 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 46 B/. ($46) | $208 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 57 B/. ($57) | $75 | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. ($10) | $12 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3.96 B/. ($3.96) | $4.85 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.72 B/. ($2.72) | $5.75 | - 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 559 B/. ($558) | $406 | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.24 B/. ($0.24) | $0.18 | + 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 50 B/. ($50) | $53 | - 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.35 B/. ($5.35) | $8 | - 33% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.000
USD
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 53,643 prices entered by 6,797 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 33% cheaper than in United States
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