San Diego vs Panama City Cost of Living

San Diego (United States) · Overall index 80.0Panama City (Panama) · Overall index 40.0

Summary

  • Overall, Panama City is 50% cheaper than San Diego.
  • Rent in Panama City is 57% cheaper than in San Diego.
  • Transport in Panama City is 55% cheaper than in San Diego.
ItemSan DiegoPanama CityDiff
Rent-57%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,906$1,121-61%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,560$792-49%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$5,348$2,348-56%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$3,541$1,423-60%
Groceries-48%
Milk (1L)$1.29$0.67-48%
White bread (500g)$3.77$1.92-49%
Rice (1kg)$4.26$2.74-36%
Eggs (12)$4.41$2.24-49%
Local cheese (1kg)$14.8$6.58-56%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$12.7$6.43-49%
Beef round (1kg)$19.1$9.41-51%
Apples (1kg)$5.14$2.78-46%
Bananas (1kg)$1.82$1.05-42%
Oranges (1kg)$3.98$2.23-44%
Tomatoes (1kg)$5.15$2.63-49%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.07$1.41-54%
Onions (1kg)$2.92$1.57-46%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.36$1.29-45%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.61$1.33-49%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$15.1$7.7-49%
Transport-55%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.68$1.18-56%
Public transport, monthly pass$122$49.4-60%
Taxi, base fare$3.68$1.87-49%
Taxi, per km$1.86$0.77-59%
Gasoline (1L)$0.87$0.44-49%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$26,442$11,760-56%
Dining out-51%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$22.6$10.8-52%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$107$49-54%
Fast food combo meal$11.9$5.25-56%
Cappuccino$5.18$2.6-50%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.16$1.1-49%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.99$3.28-45%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$7.37$3.8-48%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.87$0.97-48%
Telecom-37%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$63.4$39.3-38%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$55.3$37-33%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.31$0.17-45%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.3$9.09-32%
Utilities & household-46%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$153$84.6-45%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.2$0.1-50%
Tap water (1m³)$4.02$2.61-35%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.46$0.71-51%
Waste collection (monthly)$20.8$11-47%
Fitness club (monthly)$79.6$43.3-46%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$15.3$8.58-44%
Men's haircut$27.1$15.7-42%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$26.6$13-51%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,070$984-52%

3,076 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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