Cost of Living Comparison Between Nicaragua and Panama 
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| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Panama is 27.7% higher than in Nicaragua (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Panama is 53.7% higher than in Nicaragua | |
| Rent Prices in Panama are 202.2% higher than in Nicaragua | |
| Restaurant Prices in Panama are 46.1% higher than in Nicaragua | |
| Groceries Prices in Panama are 24.2% higher than in Nicaragua | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Panama is 49.7% higher than in Nicaragua | |
Restaurants | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $5.00 | $8.00 | +60.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $31.50 | $45.00 | +42.9 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $7.61 | $8.00 | +5.1 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.36 | $2.25 | +65.4 % |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.00 | $4.00 | +100.0 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $2.33 | $3.92 | +67.8 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $0.87 | $1.61 | +84.3 % |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.68 | $1.38 | +103.9 % |
Markets | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.23 | $1.83 | +49.0 % |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $2.04 | $2.39 | +17.1 % |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.70 | $3.00 | +76.7 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.28 | $2.53 | +11.1 % |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $9.58 | $12.26 | +28.1 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $6.12 | $7.11 | +16.2 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $8.04 | $10.23 | +27.2 % |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4.62 | $4.23 | -8.3 % |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $0.83 | $1.52 | +82.3 % |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $2.00 | $3.63 | +81.4 % |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2.39 | $3.74 | +56.8 % |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $3.77 | $2.57 | -31.8 % |
| Onions (1 kg) | $2.27 | $3.23 | +42.2 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $1.06 | $2.27 | +113.8 % |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $1.06 | $1.61 | +52.3 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $13.34 | $10.00 | -25.0 % |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.45 | $1.37 | -6.0 % |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.19 | $2.37 | +7.9 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $3.55 | $6.00 | +69.2 % |
Transportation | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.14 | $0.40 | +193.0 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $6.01 | $21.00 | +249.5 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.50 | $2.50 | +67.1 % |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $1.44 | $1.81 | +25.6 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $6.80 | $22.00 | +223.5 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.34 | $1.15 | -13.6 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $22,973.64 | $25,500.00 | +11.0 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $26,382.01 | $22,450.00 | -14.9 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $110.98 | $117.69 | +6.0 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $17.89 | $27.07 | +51.3 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $36.44 | $47.24 | +29.6 % |
Sports And Leisure | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $34.04 | $48.27 | +41.8 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $15.00 | $29.90 | +99.3 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $9.50 | $8.00 | -15.8 % |
Childcare | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $235.82 | $543.33 | +130.4 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $12,224.58 | $19,150.60 | +56.7 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $53.91 | $54.44 | +1.0 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $44.96 | $44.88 | -0.2 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $111.98 | $88.56 | -20.9 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $122.37 | $103.12 | -15.7 % |
Rent Per Month | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $353.36 | $1,011.04 | +186.1 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $211.75 | $737.54 | +248.3 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $600.89 | $1,794.62 | +198.7 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $465.38 | $1,386.52 | +197.9 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $1,193.93 | $3,007.29 | +151.9 % |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $679.27 | $1,736.70 | +155.7 % |
Salaries And Financing | Nicaragua Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $358.34 | $824.51 | +130.1 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.94 | 6.37 | -46.6 % |
| Last update: | 31 October 2026 | 31 October 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 29 | 88 | |
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