Panama City, Panama

Cost of Living in Panama City, Panama

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Panama City costs approximately $1,834 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,289. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Panama City is a city in Panama, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,834 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,289 per month, or $1,011 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 197 Mbps median download speed, and Panama offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Panama City scores 55/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 87°F and winter highs around 86°F, with roughly 344 sunny days a year.

Digital nomad visaFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$1,834≈ $61/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,289
Internet197 Mbps
Safety55/100
Avg Temp87°F

Panama City Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$10
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$50
McDonald's Combo Meal$7
Cappuccino$3.55
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$3
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.37

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.86
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.32
Eggs (12)$2.94
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.05
Apples (1 lb)$1.78
Bananas (1 lb)$0.75
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.46
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.11
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.72
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10.20
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$6

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.35
Monthly Transit Pass$21
Taxi Start$2.50
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.96
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.91
VW Golf (New)$21,262

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$127.43
Mobile Phone Plan$30.58
Broadband Internet$46.98

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$44.09
Cinema Ticket$8
Preschool (Monthly)$500
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$11,716.92

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$49.38
Nike Running Shoes$89.38

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,289.44
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,011.07
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,131.92
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,538.24
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$289.64
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$161.22

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$938.83
Mortgage Interest Rate6.32%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,990.10
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$822.50

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Panama City

Internet197 Mbps
Safety55/100
Healthcare60/100
Public Transit45/100
Walkability48/100
Nightlife50/100
Food Scene62/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture55/100
Air Quality91/100
Green Spaces50/100
Culture40/100
Beaches70/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing30/100
Coworking Spaces20
US Visa-Free180 days

Communities & Expat Groups

Panama Expats & Digital Nomads

Panama City FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Panama City?

A single person should budget around $1,834 per month in Panama City, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,990 per month.

How much is rent in Panama City?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Panama City averages $1,289 per month, dropping to about $1,011 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,132.

Is Panama City safe?

Panama City scores 55/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 50/100.

How fast is the internet in Panama City?

Median download speeds in Panama City are around 197 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 20 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Panama offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Panama offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 180 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Panama City?

Panama City sees summer highs around 87°F and winter highs near 86°F, with about 344 sunny days and 250 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Panama

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Panama and how to apply.

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