Skyline of La Chorrera
Cost of Living: 92 120,000

La Chorrera, Panama

A growing city west of Panama City, known for its waterfalls and agricultural production.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

La Chorrera is a city in 8 with a population of 120,000. A growing city west of Panama City, known for its waterfalls and agricultural production. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively high. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 92

Below Average vs Panama Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income $32,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.5%

Job market health

La Chorrera vs Panama Average

Cost of Living
La Chorrera: 92
Panama Avg: 100
Housing Index
La Chorrera: 100
Panama Avg: 100
State Income Tax
La Chorrera: 25%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 25.0%
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $32,000
  • Unemployment: 6.5%
  • Population: 120,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: $160,000
  • 1BR Rent: $650/mo

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Cost of Living

La Chorrera's cost of living index is 92 (Panama average = 100).

CategoryLa ChorreraNational AverageDifference
Overall92100-8.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: INEC Panama / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$160,000
Median Rent (1BR)$650/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$813/mo
Price per Sq Ft$106

Data source: Encuentra24 / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in La Chorrera:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$50
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)$32Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$20Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$40Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$142Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ASEP, ENSA, Cable Onda 2025

Remote Work Score

La Chorrera scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
92
Rent
$650
Sunny Days
200
Tax
25%
Unemployment
6.5%
Climate
88°F / 72°F
Safety
11.3 homicides/100k
Population
120,000
Internet Speed
50 Mbps

Climate

La Chorrera has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January92°F72°F2.5"
April73°F87°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F90°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

La Chorrera faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Hurricane High Risk

Significant hurricane risk.

Flood High Risk

Tropical storm floods.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Pacific coast with tsunami risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfires in dry season.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Mountainous terrain with landslides.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 25%
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in La Chorrera per 100,000 residents:

90.0
Violent Crime
300.0
Property Crime
11.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Academic Year March to December
Term System Semester — 1st (Mar-Jul), 2nd (Aug-Dec)
Summer Break December to March (12 weeks)
Winter Break July (2 weeks)
Spring Break Carnival in February/March (1 week)

Carnival is a national holiday break.

Demographics

The population of La Chorrera is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Black/Afro-Panamanian
9.2%
Indigenous
12.3%
Mestizo
65.0%
Other
6.8%
White
6.7%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
High school graduate
22.0%
Less than high school
45.0%
Some college
13.0%

Religion

Christian (Catholic)
63.0%
Christian (Protestant)
25.0%
Other
2.0%
Unaffiliated
10.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: INEC Census (2010)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in La Chorrera, Panama?

The cost of living index in La Chorrera is 92, which is Lower the Panama national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in La Chorrera?

The median home price in La Chorrera is $160,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in La Chorrera is approximately $650/mo.

Does La Chorrera, 8 have income tax?

La Chorrera is in 8, which has an income tax rate of 25%.

What is the climate like in La Chorrera?

La Chorrera enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 72°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INEC Panama / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Encuentra24 / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INEC Panama Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ASEP, ENSA, Cable Onda 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.