Cost of living in El Salvador compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in El Salvador is 25% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| El Salvador | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $10 (10 B/.) | 18 B/. | - 43% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 (7 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $2.16 (2.16 B/.) | 3.95 B/. | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.01 (2.01 B/.) | 1.64 B/. | + 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.56 (2.56 B/.) | 2.92 B/. | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.75 (1.75 B/.) | 2.52 B/. | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $4.07 (4.06 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $2.96 (2.96 B/.) | 2.72 B/. | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.13 (2.13 B/.) | 2.06 B/. | + 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.29 (1.29 B/.) | 1.37 B/. | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (17 B/.) | 13 B/. | + 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.98 (1.98 B/.) | 2.52 B/. | - 21% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $0.97 (0.97 B/.) | 1.89 B/. | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in El Salvador is 30% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| El Salvador | Panama | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,143 (1,143 B/.) | 1,424 B/. | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $673 (672 B/.) | 830 B/. | - 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $105 (105 B/.) | 114 B/. | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $567 (567 B/.) | 937 B/. | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $387 (387 B/.) | 863 B/. | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $46 (46 B/.) | 92 B/. | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $27 (27 B/.) | 43 B/. | - 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $359 (359 B/.) | 431 B/. | - 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $85 (85 B/.) | 99 B/. | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8 (8 B/.) | 8 B/. | + 3% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 11 B/. | - | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in El Salvador is 29% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| El Salvador | Panama | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (54 B/.) | 43 B/. | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $42 (42 B/.) | 29 B/. | + 43% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $97 (97 B/.) | 79 B/. | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $74 (74 B/.) | 83 B/. | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in El Salvador is 21% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| El Salvador | Panama | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $16,710 (16,705 B/.) | 22,953 B/. | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.28 (1.27 B/.) | 1.46 B/. | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $30 (30 B/.) | 40 B/. | - 23% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in El Salvador is 35% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| El Salvador | Panama | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $6 (6 B/.) | 11 B/. | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 (15 B/.) | 29 B/. | - 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $33 (33 B/.) | 47 B/. | - 30% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.36 (5.36 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.87 (3.87 B/.) | 4.44 B/. | - 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.85 (5.85 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.22 (2.22 B/.) | 3.61 B/. | - 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.10 (1.10 B/.) | 3.54 B/. | - 69% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $11 (11 B/.) | 15 B/. | - 30% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in El Salvador is 35% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| El Salvador | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $17 (17 B/.) | 28 B/. | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $10 (10 B/.) | 12 B/. | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 34 B/. | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $43 (43 B/.) | 57 B/. | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 (7 B/.) | 11 B/. | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.63 (4.63 B/.) | 5.46 B/. | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $1.72 (1.71 B/.) | 2.82 B/. | - 39% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $611 (611 B/.) | 662 B/. | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.16 (0.16 B/.) | 0.50 B/. | - 68% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $37 (37 B/.) | 46 B/. | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (8 B/.) | 5.61 B/. | + 44% | |
| TOTAL | - 26% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,331 prices entered by 136 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.000
PAB
/
USD
Cost of living in El Salvador is 26% cheaper than in Panama
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 24% cheaper than in Panama
- Cost of living in Andorra is 26% more expensive than in Panama
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Panama
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Panama
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 39% more expensive than in Panama
- Cost of living in Armenia is 16% cheaper than in Panama
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 32% cheaper than in Panama
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 16% more expensive than in Panama