Cost of living in Panama compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Panama is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 16 B/. ($16) | $16 | + 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. ($7) | $9 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.35 B/. ($3.35) | $4.59 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.57 B/. ($1.57) | $0.90 | + 74% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2.26 B/. ($2.26) | $2.91 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1.95 B/. ($1.95) | $4.25 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 4.90 B/. ($4.91) | $6 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.26 B/. ($2.26) | $3.87 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.21 B/. ($2.21) | $2.01 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.34 B/. ($1.35) | $2.94 | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11 B/. ($11) | $15 | - 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.23 B/. ($2.23) | $2.06 | + 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.27 B/. ($1.28) | $2.41 | - 47% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Panama is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,481 B/. ($1,481) | $2,384 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 856 B/. ($857) | $1,818 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 117 B/. ($117) | $189 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 933 B/. ($934) | $1,662 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 508 B/. ($509) | $1,270 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 68 B/. ($68) | $127 | - 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 41 B/. ($41) | $56 | - 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 311 B/. ($311) | $284 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 113 B/. ($113) | $130 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7 B/. ($7) | $11 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 12 B/. ($12) | $24 | - 48% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in Panama is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 56 B/. ($56) | $48 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 39 B/. ($39) | $42 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 80 B/. ($80) | $87 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 86 B/. ($86) | $109 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in Panama is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 23,123 B/. ($23,138) | $23,783 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 0.95 B/. ($0.95) | $0.84 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 44 B/. ($44) | $75 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | - 17% | |||
| Personal Care in Panama is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 7 B/. ($7) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 22 B/. ($22) | $18 | + 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 48 B/. ($48) | $108 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 6 B/. ($6) | $7 | - 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.43 B/. ($3.44) | $3.89 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. ($7) | $5.21 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.48 B/. ($3.49) | $3.92 | - 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3.04 B/. ($3.04) | $1.91 | + 59% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 16 B/. ($16) | $23 | - 30% | |
| Entertainment | + 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Panama is 10% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Panama | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 32 B/. ($32) | $48 | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 14 B/. ($14) | $26 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 64 B/. ($64) | $167 | - 62% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 58 B/. ($58) | $77 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 9 B/. ($9) | $13 | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.73 B/. ($4.74) | $4.82 | - 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.45 B/. ($3.46) | $5.84 | - 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,211 B/. ($1,212) | $448 | + 170% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.43 B/. ($0.43) | $0.18 | + 140% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 59 B/. ($59) | $48 | + 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 4.18 B/. ($4.18) | $9 | - 52% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 25, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.001
USD
/
PAB
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,146 prices entered by 2,991 different people.
Cost of living in Panama is 25% cheaper than in United States
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