Base
Last verified: August 14, 2026. Prices in US dollars — Panama’s actual currency.
Panama is cheaper than the US and pricier than most of Latin America — and the spread between a Panama City tower and a highland town is enormous. Here is what real budgets look like.
Housing sets your budget
| Where | 2-bed rental | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Costa del Este / Punta Pacifica | US$1,800–3,000 | Polished towers, ocean views, corporate crowd |
| San Francisco / El Cangrejo | US$1,100–1,800 | Walkable, restaurants, best value in the city |
| Panamá Pacífico | US$1,400–2,200 | Planned community, families, green space |
| Coronado (beach) | US$1,000–1,800 | Expat beach hub, 1h20 from the city |
| Boquete / highlands | US$700–1,400 | Cool climate, gardens, retiree favorite |
The monthly basket
- Groceries for a couple: US$400–700. Local markets are half the price of imported-brand supermarkets — the fruit stalls alone will change your habits.
- Electricity: the honest surprise. Run air conditioning all day in the city and US$150–300/month is normal. Boquete barely needs it.
- Eating out: a local fonda lunch US$4–7; a mid-range dinner for two US$40–70.
- Car & fuel: owning a car in the interior is near-mandatory; in the city, Uber is cheap enough to skip ownership.
- Internet/mobile: US$30–60 for fast fiber in the city and most expat hubs.
Healthcare and school
Private healthcare is a Panama strength: a specialist visit runs US$50–80 without insurance, and private health plans for a couple in their 50s typically cost US$200–500/month. International schools in the capital run US$500–1,500/month — the single biggest line for families.
Three honest budgets
| Profile | Monthly total |
|---|---|
| Single, San Francisco apartment, eats local | US$1,800–2,500 |
| Couple, Costa del Este, car + insurance | US$3,500–5,000 |
| Retired couple, Boquete house, garden life | US$2,000–3,000 |
Weighing the move itself? The complete roadmap covers visas, banking and arrival step by step.
