Monthly budgets by household

Housing by location

• Furnished 2-bed, Panama City (San Francisco): US$1,200–1,800
• Furnished 2-bed, Panama City (Punta Pacífica/Costa del Este): US$1,600–2,500
• Furnished 2-bed, Coronado: US$900–1,500
• Furnished 2-bed, Boquete: US$700–1,200
• Furnished 2-bed, Volcán / Pedasí: US$500–900
• Utilities (electric-heavy in Panama City with AC): US$150–300
• Utilities in Boquete (no AC needed): US$70–130
• Fiber internet (100+ Mbps): US$40–70

Food & groceries

• Groceries, couple cooking at home: US$400–700/mo
• Mercado produce for a couple: US$20–35/week
• Menu del día (fixed-price local lunch): US$4–8
• Sit-down dinner for two, mid-range Panama City: US$35–70
• Coffee at a specialty café (Boquete or Casco): US$3–5
• Panama-brewed beer at a bar: US$2–4

Healthcare

• Private insurance per adult under 60: US$80–200/mo
• Private insurance per adult 60–70: US$150–350/mo
• GP visit private: US$40–80
• Specialist visit private: US$70–130
• Dental cleaning: US$40–70
• Pensionado residents get 15–25% off medical bills by law

Transport

• Gasoline: US$3.80–4.20/gallon
• Uber, cross-Panama-City: US$4–10
• Metro fare (Panama City): US$0.35
• Intercity bus Panama City → Boquete (6 hours): US$18–25
• Domestic flight Panama City → David: US$70–140 one-way
• Pensionado law: 25% off airlines, 30% off intercity buses

What costs more than you'd expect

• Panama City electricity — AC on 24/7 in an apartment can hit US$250–400/mo
• Cars — new-car prices are typically similar to the US; used cars often more (small market)
• Imported groceries — 30–60% above US shelf
• Punta Pacífica/Costa del Este rent — luxury towers command Miami-adjacent prices
• International schools — US$8,000–20,000/year per child in Panama City