Cost of living in Panama City (Panama) is 32% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 462 prices entered by 69 different people.
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Food | - 25% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Panama City (Panama) is 25% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 16 B/. ($16) | $18 | - 9% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 8 B/. ($8) | $10 | - 24% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.36 B/. ($3.36) | $5.69 | - 41% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.79 B/. ($1.79) | $0.87 | + 106% | |
12 eggs, large | 2.79 B/. ($2.79) | $5.06 | - 45% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.49 B/. ($2.49) | $3.62 | - 31% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. ($6) | $6 | + 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 3.23 B/. ($3.24) | $4.50 | - 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.37 B/. ($2.37) | $2.69 | - 12% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.40 B/. ($1.40) | $2.02 | - 31% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 10 B/. ($10) | $11 | - 7% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2.31 B/. ($2.31) | $3.08 | - 25% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.49 B/. ($1.49) | $2.78 | - 46% | |
Housing | - 42% | |||
Housing in Panama City (Panama) is 42% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,441 B/. ($1,441) | $2,461 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 929 B/. ($929) | $1,531 | - 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 130 B/. ($130) | $175 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 998 B/. ($998) | $1,300 | - 23% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 619 B/. ($619) | $957 | - 35% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 93 B/. ($93) | $157 | - 41% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 39 B/. ($39) | $72 | - 45% | |
40” flat screen tv | 333 B/. ($333) | $344 | - 3% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 99 B/. ($99) | $149 | - 33% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 12 B/. ($12) | $15 | - 22% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 7 B/. ($7) | $42 | - 82% | |
Clothes | + 24% | |||
Clothes in Panama City (Panama) is 24% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 64 B/. ($64) | $50 | + 28% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 46 B/. ($46) | $34 | + 35% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 99 B/. ($99) | $96 | + 4% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 97 B/. ($97) | $90 | + 8% | |
Transportation | - 48% | |||
Transportation in Panama City (Panama) is 48% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 22,242 B/. ($22,244) | $32,100 | - 31% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.01 B/. ($1.01) | $0.93 | + 8% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 25 B/. ($25) | $65 | - 62% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 9 B/. ($9) | $14 | - 32% | |
Personal Care | + 3% | |||
Personal Care in Panama City (Panama) is about the same as in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 10 B/. ($10) | $10 | - 6% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20 B/. ($20) | $6 | + 222% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 54 B/. ($54) | $94 | - 42% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7 B/. ($7) | $7 | + 5% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.01 B/. ($5.01) | $4.88 | + 3% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 8 B/. ($8) | $7 | + 13% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.34 B/. ($3.35) | $3.48 | - 4% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3.71 B/. ($3.71) | $1.75 | + 112% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 16 B/. ($16) | $23 | - 30% | |
Entertainment | - 14% | |||
Entertainment in Panama City (Panama) is 14% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 37 B/. ($37) | $47 | - 22% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 11 B/. ($11) | $25 | - 56% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 36 B/. ($36) | $206 | - 83% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 60 B/. ($60) | $75 | - 20% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 11 B/. ($11) | $14 | - 20% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4.97 B/. ($4.97) | $5.53 | - 10% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.99 B/. ($2.99) | $4.71 | - 36% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 606 B/. ($606) | $451 | + 34% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.33 B/. ($0.33) | $0.32 | + 5% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 50 B/. ($50) | $39 | + 28% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6 B/. ($6) | $9 | - 28% | |
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TOTAL | - 32% |

These prices were last updated on February 06, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.000
USD
/
PAB
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $7,400 in Detroit, Michigan you would need to make just about $5,035 (5,034 B/.) in Panama City.
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