Panama vs. South Korea Cost of Living Summary

Panama is 4.7% more expensive than South Korea overall.

Restaurants
pay 35.0% more in Panama
Groceries
pay 26.9% less in Panama
Transportation
pay 4.5% more in Panama
Housing
pay 70.0% more in Panama
Childcare
pay 45.2% less in Panama
Entertainment and Sports
pay 1.6% more in Panama
Clothing
pay 6.3% less in Panama

The cost of housing, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment and sports in Panama are more expensive than in South Korea. Expenses including childcare, groceries, and clothing are lower in Panama.

Panama vs. South Korea Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Panama instead of South Korea, you would:

pay 35.0% more for restaurants

 
South Korea
Panama
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $6.16
₩8,878
$8.45
PAB8.45
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$5.24
₩7,552
$7.90
PAB7.90
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $1.47
₩2,122
$1.54
PAB1.54

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pay 26.9% less for groceries

 
South Korea
Panama
Bread
1 loaf
$3.08
₩4,435
$2.19
PAB2.19
Local cheese (8 oz) $5.40
₩7,790
$5.66
PAB5.66
Milk (1 gallon) $7.46
₩10,751
$6.43
PAB6.43

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pay 4.5% more for transportation

 
South Korea
Panama
Gasoline (1 gallon) $4.39
₩6,331
$3.92
PAB3.92
Monthly public transit pass $45.32
₩65,320
$25.00
PAB25.00
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $27,023.07
₩38,951,858
$18,916.67
PAB18,916.67

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pay 70.0% more for housing

 
South Korea
Panama
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$17.65
₩25,447
$47.61
PAB47.61
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $426.93
₩615,392
$747.76
PAB747.76
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $328.41
₩473,385
$567.84
PAB567.84

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pay 45.2% less for childcare

 
South Korea
Panama
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $373.40
₩538,231
$302.08
PAB302.08
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $22,907.58
₩33,019,666
$6,548.17
PAB6,548.17

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pay 1.6% more for entertainment and sports

 
South Korea
Panama
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $3.09
₩4,460
$1.95
PAB1.95
Cappuccino in mid-range area $3.39
₩4,886
$3.39
PAB3.39
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$3.21
₩4,633
$5.38
PAB5.38

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pay 6.3% less for clothing

 
South Korea
Panama
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$60.70
₩87,501
$47.41
PAB47.41
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$44.52
₩64,176
$34.81
PAB34.81
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$72.99
₩105,213
$81.21
PAB81.21

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: February 2025
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