Cost of living in Panama compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 12 B/. ($12) | $15 | - 22% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. ($7) | $8 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2.86 B/. ($2.86) | $4.22 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.52 B/. ($1.52) | $0.88 | + 72% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.93 B/. ($2.92) | $2.93 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.68 B/. ($2.68) | $4.08 | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 5.99 B/. ($5.98) | $6 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.92 B/. ($2.91) | $3.28 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.01 B/. ($2.01) | $1.67 | + 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.03 B/. ($1.03) | $3.20 | - 68% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 10 B/. ($10) | $14 | - 30% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.22 B/. ($2.22) | $1.97 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.65 B/. ($1.65) | $2.02 | - 19% | |
| Housing | - 38% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,298 B/. ($1,297) | $2,204 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 919 B/. ($918) | $1,533 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 109 B/. ($109) | $178 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 918 B/. ($917) | $1,524 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 673 B/. ($672) | $1,106 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 79 B/. ($79) | $109 | - 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 B/. ($41) | $49 | - 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 389 B/. ($389) | $271 | + 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 101 B/. ($101) | $127 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 8 B/. ($8) | $11 | - 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.37 B/. ($5.37) | $21 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 44 B/. ($44) | $47 | - 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 38 B/. ($38) | $43 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 68 B/. ($68) | $86 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 78 B/. ($78) | $108 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,866 B/. ($20,845) | $23,483 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.70 B/. ($0.70) | $0.64 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 32 B/. ($32) | $75 | - 57% | |
| Personal Care | - 20% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 11 B/. ($11) | $7 | + 55% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 19 B/. ($19) | $15 | + 30% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 45 B/. ($44) | $112 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3.83 B/. ($3.82) | $7 | - 42% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.02 B/. ($3.02) | $3.36 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.59 B/. ($5.59) | $4.94 | + 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 2.11 B/. ($2.11) | $3.61 | - 42% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.90 B/. ($2.90) | $1.81 | + 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 14 B/. ($14) | $21 | - 33% | |
| Entertainment | - 27% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 33 B/. ($33) | $45 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. ($11) | $25 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 39 B/. ($39) | $211 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 54 B/. ($54) | $78 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. ($10) | $12 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.62 B/. ($4.62) | $4.97 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.94 B/. ($3.93) | $5.74 | - 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 537 B/. ($537) | $412 | + 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34 B/. ($0.34) | $0.49 | - 31% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 46 B/. ($46) | $49 | - 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.35 B/. ($5.35) | $8 | - 35% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.999
USD
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 33,750 prices entered by 4,433 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 31% cheaper than in United States
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