Cost of Living in Panama City, Panama
Summary: Should you move to Panama City for a lower cost of living? The answer may surprise you.
Panama's Cost of Living has Risen
"Panama is no longer cheap, though not expensive. In most places you can live without a car if you want. Utilities are cheap, except electricity-keep this in mind if you want to live at low elevation. Real estate is slow now and deals can be had on rentals and purchases (but rent to try out before buying) A couple can rent and live comfortably, but not extravagantly, on $2000 a month," wrote one expat.
"It's not as cheap as I thought it would be. Food is the same or more. Restaurants are cheaper. Transport much cheaper. Clothing and appliances are probably cheaper in US. We have better sales in US," wrote one American who decided to retire in Panama City.
Connect
The Business Panama Group is a well-established group of companies, professionals and alliance partners with 20 years of experience promoting and facilitating business, investments, real estate, immigration and tourism in Panama by providing information, business development and support services to individual and corporate investors.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
The Business Panama Group is a well-established group of companies, professionals and alliance partners with 20 years of experience promoting and facilitating business, investments, real estate, immigration and tourism in Panama by providing information, business development and support services to individual and corporate investors.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Rental Housing Prices
"A 2-bedroom, 2 bath in a new-build building would run about USD 1500-1700/month, furnished. Apartments in older buildings cost less. Many apartments, such as mine, are much larger - 3 or more bedrooms, family room/den, service quarters, etc. My apartment here is as big as a small house would be in Montreal. Let's compare amenities with Montreal: staffing levels are higher here, so service, cleanliness and maintenance are better than in places where salaries are higher. For example, here there are 2 janitors on duty 8 hours/day, 6 days/week. In Montreal my building had 1 janitor on duty 7 hours/day, 5 days/week. There is security/doorman 24/7, Common areas, gym, pool, party rooms are better. Just nicer for your money. You'd have to come check it out yourself. Suggest you look at the website Encuentra24 to get an idea of what is on the market in your chosen areas. PC is a big city," said one expat.
Cost of Typical Monthly Expenses
"[The cost of a] Used car depends on model, type, age, miles, you can always find a expat ready to sale one cheap because they are moving back. 5k to 10k ins. well that is cheap, about 200 dollars per year on a used car. Power bill 100 to 200 per month. Water 6 dollars. Gas a large 100 lb tank should last you a year at about 75 dollars. Cable and wifi the more you buy from them, like tv internet, phone - cheaper the bill. I get their fastest package for around 65 dollars per month. House rental is 500 and up. Food, again depends on your taste," explained one expat.
Get Quote
Relocating abroad soon? Make your move with AGS! AGS Worldwide Movers is a leader in the international moving industry. Our experience and expertise allows us to guarantee our clients the best quality moving services.
Relocating abroad soon? Make your move with AGS! AGS Worldwide Movers is a leader in the international moving industry. Our experience and expertise allows us to guarantee our clients the best quality moving services.
Get Quote
Low Cost of Living Doesn't Always Equal Happiness
"In my experience economic migrants who move to Panama ONLY to reduce their cost of living wind up bitter and disappointed because life in a developing country with a different culture and language has challenges that aren't erased by lower costs," commented one expat.
Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama
Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama
Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Public Transportation in Panama City
- Best Neighborhoods for Single Digital Nomads Living in Panama City
- Pros & Cons of Living in Panama City
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Panama City
- Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Panama City
- Best Neighborhoods for Families in Panama City
- Best Neighborhoods for Single People in Panama City
- Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Panama City
- 7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Panama City
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Panama City
- Best Bookstores and Libraries in Panama City
- Public Transportation in Panama City
- Best Markets in Panama City
- Retire in Panama City Guide
- 7 Tips for Living in Panama City
- Pros & Cons of Living in Panama City
- Driving in Panama City
- Cost of Living in Panama City
- Health Care in Panama City
- Discover the Best of Panama City
- Panama City, Panama
- International Schools in Panama City
- Best Places to Live in Panama City, Panama
- Cost of Living in Panama City, Panama
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Panama
- Best Places to Live in Panama
- Real Estate in Panama
- Best Banks in Panama for Expats and Global Nomads
- What It's Like Living in Panama City
- Pros and Cons of Living in Panama 2024
- 2024 Guide to Moving to Panama
- More Advice about Retiring in Panama
- Members Talk about the Cost of Living in Panama