Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Lima is 39% cheaper than Panama City based on our cost of living index. Lima has a COLI of 25.8, while Panama City has a COLI of 42.3. 39% cheaper
Overall, Lima is approximately 39% cheaper than Panama City based on our cost of living index. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 (ranked #93 of 182 cities), while Panama City has a COLI of 42.3 (ranked #64).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Lima averages $450/month compared to $1,000/month in Panama City. That makes Lima approximately 55% cheaper for rent alone.
Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Panama City (19.5%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately $122,965 in Panama City to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 39% more due to higher cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Lima (PEN) | Panama City (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | S/172,052 | $76,140 |
| Software Engineer | S/81,247 | $35,955 |
| Product Manager | S/95,584 | $42,300 |
| Lawyer | S/95,584 | $42,300 |
| Data Scientist | S/90,805 | $40,185 |
| Marketing Manager | S/68,821 | $30,456 |
| Teacher | S/45,880 | $20,304 |
| Nurse | S/55,439 | $24,534 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| San Isidro | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Miraflores | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Barranco | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Surco | 1.08x (+8%) |
| La Molina | 1.05x (+5%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Punta Pacífica | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Costa del Este | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Marbella | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Casco Viejo | 1.12x (+12%) |
| Obarrio | 1.10x (+10%) |
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Open Salary ConverterPanama City is more expensive overall. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 while Panama City has a COLI of 42.3, making Lima approximately 39% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately $122,965 in Panama City.
Average one-bedroom rent in Lima is $450/month compared to $1,000/month in Panama City. Lima has lower rent by approximately 55%.
Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Panama City (19.5%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima.
Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.
Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.
Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.