Panama City vs San Francisco Cost of Living

Panama City (Panama) · Overall index 40.0San Francisco (United States) · Overall index 95.1

Summary

  • Overall, San Francisco is 138% more expensive than Panama City.
  • Rent in San Francisco is 220% more expensive than in Panama City.
  • Transport in San Francisco is 147% more expensive than in Panama City.
ItemPanama CitySan FranciscoDiff
Rent+220%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,121$3,208+186%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$792$2,609+229%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,348$7,487+219%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,423$4,864+242%
Groceries+109%
Milk (1L)$0.67$1.31+96%
White bread (500g)$1.92$4.2+119%
Rice (1kg)$2.74$5.82+112%
Eggs (12)$2.24$4.57+104%
Local cheese (1kg)$6.58$16.3+148%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.43$12.6+96%
Beef round (1kg)$9.41$22.3+137%
Apples (1kg)$2.78$5.88+112%
Bananas (1kg)$1.05$2.46+134%
Oranges (1kg)$2.23$4.54+104%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.63$5.5+109%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.41$3.06+117%
Onions (1kg)$1.57$2.72+73%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.29$2.75+113%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.33$2.41+81%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7.7$15.4+100%
Transport+147%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.18$3.1+163%
Public transport, monthly pass$49.4$139+181%
Taxi, base fare$1.87$4.48+140%
Taxi, per km$0.77$1.91+148%
Gasoline (1L)$0.44$0.99+125%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$11,760$27,640+135%
Dining out+133%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$10.8$21.5+99%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$49$115+135%
Fast food combo meal$5.25$11.6+121%
Cappuccino$2.6$5.52+112%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.1$3.04+176%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.28$8.59+162%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.8$8.71+129%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.97$2.32+139%
Telecom+88%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$39.3$68.5+74%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$37$71.8+94%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.17$0.37+118%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$9.09$15.8+74%
Utilities & household+116%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$84.6$176+108%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.1$0.23+130%
Tap water (1m³)$2.61$5.1+95%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.71$1.47+107%
Waste collection (monthly)$11$25.8+135%
Fitness club (monthly)$43.3$94.8+119%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$8.58$17.5+104%
Men's haircut$15.7$33.2+111%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$13$29.6+128%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$984$2,199+123%

3,336 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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