Cost of living in Panama City (Panama) is 9% more expensive than in San Salvador (El Salvador)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 726 prices entered by 91 different people.
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Food | - 10% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Panama City (Panama) is 10% cheaper than in San Salvador (El Salvador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | San Salvador | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 13 B/. ($13) | $17 | - 22% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 B/. ($7) | $9 | - 15% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3.54 B/. ($3.56) | $2.66 | + 34% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1.78 B/. ($1.79) | $1.95 | - 9% | |
12 eggs, large | 2.64 B/. ($2.65) | $3.08 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.56 B/. ($2.57) | $2.40 | + 7% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 B/. ($6) | $4.70 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.46 B/. ($2.48) | $3.34 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2.36 B/. ($2.37) | $1.66 | + 43% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.07 B/. ($1.08) | $1.61 | - 33% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 10 B/. ($10) | $24 | - 59% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2.55 B/. ($2.56) | $2.20 | + 17% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.71 B/. ($1.71) | $0.94 | + 82% | |
Housing | + 16% | |||
Housing in Panama City (Panama) is 16% more expensive than in San Salvador (El Salvador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | San Salvador | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,506 B/. ($1,513) | $1,426 | + 6% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 913 B/. ($917) | $792 | + 16% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 136 B/. ($136) | $100 | + 36% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 897 B/. ($901) | $846 | + 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 587 B/. ($590) | $440 | + 34% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 95 B/. ($96) | $54 | + 77% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 40 B/. ($41) | $20 | + 99% | |
40” flat screen tv | 333 B/. ($335) | $334 | + 0% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 99 B/. ($100) | $140 | - 29% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 16 B/. ($16) | $13 | + 20% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.44 B/. ($5.47) | $10 | - 45% | |
Clothes | + 2% | |||
Clothes in Panama City (Panama) is about the same as in San Salvador (El Salvador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | San Salvador | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 55 B/. ($55) | $52 | + 5% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 41 B/. ($41) | $40 | + 3% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 94 B/. ($95) | $110 | - 14% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 96 B/. ($97) | $83 | + 17% | |
Transportation | - 5% | |||
Transportation in Panama City (Panama) is 5% cheaper than in San Salvador (El Salvador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | San Salvador | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 22,092 B/. ($22,199) | $21,938 | + 1% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.10 B/. ($1.11) | $1.12 | - 2% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 26 B/. ($27) | $25 | + 8% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 8 B/. ($8) | $20 | - 60% | |
Personal Care | + 36% | |||
Personal Care in Panama City (Panama) is 36% more expensive than in San Salvador (El Salvador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | San Salvador | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 8 B/. ($8) | $5.45 | + 40% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 22 B/. ($22) | $12 | + 85% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 52 B/. ($53) | $39 | + 34% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7 B/. ($7) | $6 | + 18% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.13 B/. ($5.15) | $4.71 | + 9% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7 B/. ($7) | $6 | + 20% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.09 B/. ($3.10) | $1.99 | + 56% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3.08 B/. ($3.10) | $1.82 | + 70% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 17 B/. ($17) | $15 | + 17% | |
Entertainment | + 43% | |||
Entertainment in Panama City (Panama) is 43% more expensive than in San Salvador (El Salvador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Panama City | San Salvador | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 35 B/. ($35) | $23 | + 51% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 12 B/. ($12) | $15 | - 22% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 45 B/. ($46) | $46 | - 0% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 68 B/. ($69) | $46 | + 50% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 10 B/. ($10) | $8 | + 24% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.62 B/. ($5.64) | $5.21 | + 8% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 4.30 B/. ($4.32) | $1.83 | + 136% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 680 B/. ($684) | $684 | - 0% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.32 B/. ($0.33) | $0.16 | + 102% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 60 B/. ($60) | $43 | + 38% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.96 B/. ($5.99) | $3.96 | + 51% | |
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TOTAL | + 9% |

These prices were last updated on November 22, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.005
USD
/
PAB
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For example, you would need at least $4,808 (4,785 B/.) in Panama City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $4,400 in San Salvador.
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