Cost of living in Panama compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 14 B/. ($14) | $19 | - 26% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. ($8) | $10 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.91 B/. ($3.87) | $5.80 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.63 B/. ($1.61) | $1.09 | + 48% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.85 B/. ($2.82) | $4.49 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.07 B/. ($2.05) | $4.61 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 7 B/. ($7) | $7 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.55 B/. ($2.53) | $4.24 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 1.96 B/. ($1.94) | $2.18 | - 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.51 B/. ($1.50) | $3.30 | - 55% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 13 B/. ($13) | $16 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.44 B/. ($2.42) | $2.53 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.61 B/. ($1.60) | $2.84 | - 44% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,273 B/. ($1,261) | $2,840 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 852 B/. ($844) | $2,110 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 127 B/. ($126) | $214 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 908 B/. ($899) | $1,987 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 556 B/. ($551) | $1,470 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 78 B/. ($78) | $149 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 46 B/. ($46) | $59 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 340 B/. ($337) | $290 | + 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 106 B/. ($105) | $123 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. ($8) | $13 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 15 B/. ($15) | $32 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 48 B/. ($47) | $53 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26 B/. ($26) | $48 | - 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 79 B/. ($78) | $94 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 83 B/. ($83) | $121 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 22,433 B/. ($22,220) | $27,040 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.29 B/. ($1.28) | $1.14 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 42 B/. ($41) | $79 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 8% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 8 B/. ($8) | $8 | + 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 32 B/. ($32) | $23 | + 41% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 62 B/. ($62) | $137 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 9 B/. ($9) | $8 | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.05 B/. ($5.01) | $4.60 | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. ($7) | $5.81 | + 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.79 B/. ($3.76) | $4.49 | - 16% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.38 B/. ($3.35) | $2.14 | + 56% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 19 B/. ($19) | $27 | - 30% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 29 B/. ($29) | $53 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 13 B/. ($12) | $28 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 55 B/. ($55) | $197 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 47 B/. ($47) | $92 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8 B/. ($8) | $13 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.69 B/. ($5.64) | $5.53 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.75 B/. ($2.72) | $7 | - 58% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 651 B/. ($645) | $522 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.22 B/. ($0.22) | $0.21 | + 6% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 47 B/. ($47) | $57 | - 18% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.66 B/. ($5.60) | $10 | - 43% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.991
USD
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 21,025 prices entered by 2,853 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 37% cheaper than in United States
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