Cost of living 2018 in Panama

Hello everyone,

As per our annual tradition, we invite you to share your experiences and tell us more about the average prices of products and services in your town/city/area, so that we have updated information regarding cost of living and inflation in Panama.

Thanks to your contribution, future expats in Panama will be more informed and will be able to refine their budget and better prepare for their big move.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Panama?

How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Panama?

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?

What is your monthly budget for groceries?

How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Panama?

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?

How much does childcare cost on average per month?

What is your child's schooling budget per month?

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?

How much does a gym membership cost in Panama?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Priscilla

We did a full blog post on our cost of living in Boquete here:

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Moderated by Priscilla 5 years ago
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16 questions! I was overwhelmed half way through. I also have cost of living posts on my blog,  but everyone has different spending habits so there isn't one answer for everyone.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Panama?   n/a

How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Panama?  550,000 (big house)

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?   n/a

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?  those are  regulated  prices, 

What is your monthly budget for groceries? 450.00

How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Panama?  in  hospitals  specialist 65.00,   in  clinics  is  15  for  generalist

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?  n/a

How much does childcare cost on average per month?  n/a

What is your child's schooling budget per month?   n/a

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?  small celerio  28.00,  large  suv 44.00

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?  electricity 150,  gas bottle 25lb.  4.75,  water 14.00

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?  80.00

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays? 5.00

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?  2.50

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?  2.50 jubilado

How much does a gym membership cost in Panama?  n/a

i paid 2.50 a day for my gym but a new express super modern gym opened 6 miles from my house i pay 22 a month for that . lunch in chorrerra can be had for under  5 bucks i pay 3 in the interior at a local fonda . i paid 32 for exam for my license which is requires after   year 70 for drivers license . 160 for car insurance a year liability. elec is about 80 internet is 39 ..groceries about 500 we eat well and i feed a lot of my wifes family .my health insurance is in colombia as i have cedula both countries for anything major . a local house across from me in a semi gated community 3 plus 2 fenced etc rents for 475 great neighborhood walk many conveniences ..

My situation would be different than most but I will give it a go....

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Panama? Currently rents in a 3/2 w/ 1/1 maid's quarters, 250m apartment in the city center from 1200. to 1600.

How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Panama? Same apartments are selling for 280,00 to 360,000.

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)? Bus is 25 cents one way, subway is 35 cents one way, taxis have zone rates starting at 1.20

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? Supermercado websites have all that info.

What is your monthly budget for groceries? 200.

How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Panama? Depends on a lot of things but I pay 35. just to see my Dr. 

How much do you pay for health insurance per month? have none

How much does childcare cost on average per month? About 500.

What is your child's schooling budget per month? no kids

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank? no car

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month? Electricity 35. average, gas $15, water $10. 

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription? $90. per month

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays? pack my own so included in grocery budget

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee? make my own

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket? don't go to theaters

How much does a gym membership cost in Panama? no idea

what you are offering is just fine.  just not moving down there yet.  there will be a time

to move south to Panama.

keep up the information.

Thanks!
James Lee