Skyline of Panama City
Cost of Living: 115 1,500,000

Panama City, 8, Panama

A dazzling Central American capital with a world-famous canal, modern skyline, and historic Casco Viejo district.

Updated July 19, 2026
Cost of Living 115

Above Average vs Panama Avg (100)

Housing Index 150

Above Average

Median Income $60,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Panama City vs Panama Average

Cost of Living
Panama City: 115
Panama Avg: 100
Housing Index
Panama City: 150
Panama Avg: 100
Income Tax
Panama City: 25%

Taxes

  • Income Tax: 25.0%
  • VAT: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $60,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 1,500,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 72°F

Housing

  • Median Home: $350,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1200/mo

Cost of Living

Panama City's cost of living index is 115 (Panama average = 100).

CategoryPanama CityNational AverageDifference
Overall115100+15.0%
Housing150100+50.0%

Data source: INEC Panama / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$350,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft$233

Data source: Encuentra24 / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
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$90,000 down
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Panama City:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$30Based on ~300 kWh/month typical Panamanian household usage
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate. electric or gas heating
Cooling (AC)$32Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$15Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$35Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$10Private service
Total Utilities$122Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ASEP, ENSA, Cable Onda 2025

Best Neighborhoods

Downtown Panama City

The heart of the city with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Average rent: $1,440/mo.

Panama City Heights

Trendy area with local businesses and a mix of historic and modern housing. Average rent: $1,320/mo.

East Panama City

Up-and-coming neighborhood with new developments and young professionals. Average rent: $1,080/mo.

West Panama City

Family-friendly area with parks and good schools. Average rent: $1,140/mo.

Remote Work Score

Panama City scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
115
Rent
$1200
Sunny Days
200
Tax
25%
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
88°F / 72°F

Climate

Panama City 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"

Taxes

  • Income Tax: 25%
  • VAT: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~1.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Panama City 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

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 Panama City, 8, Panama?

The cost of living index in Panama City is 115, which is Higher the Panama national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Panama City?

The median home price in Panama City is $350,000. The housing index is 150.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Panama City is approximately $1200/mo.

Does Panama City, 8 have income tax?

Panama City is in 8, which has an income tax rate of 25%.

What is the climate like in Panama City?

Panama City 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: July 19, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.