Panama City VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Panama City
Panama
42.3
COLI Index
#64
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
42.3
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,000
$1,500
Total Deductions
19.5%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 9.1039 SEK
Is Panama City cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Panama City is 34% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Panama City has a COLI of 42.3, while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3. 34% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Panama City vs Stockholm

Overall, Panama City is approximately 34% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Panama City has a COLI of 42.3 (ranked #64 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Panama City averages $1,000/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Panama City approximately 33% cheaper for rent alone.

Panama City has lower total deductions (19.5%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Panama City. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Panama City

Income Tax
10%
CSS
9.8%
Total: 19.5%Take-Home: $25,523/yr

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Panama City, you would need approximately kr 1,037,911 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 34% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Panama City (USD) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) $76,140 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer $35,955 kr 497,575
Product Manager $42,300 kr 585,382
Lawyer $42,300 kr 585,382
Data Scientist $40,185 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager $30,456 kr 421,475
Teacher $20,304 kr 280,983
Nurse $24,534 kr 339,521

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Panama City (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Punta Pacífica1.30x (+30%)
Costa del Este1.25x (+25%)
Marbella1.15x (+15%)
Casco Viejo1.12x (+12%)
Obarrio1.10x (+10%)

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Panama City or Stockholm more expensive?

Stockholm is more expensive overall. Panama City has a COLI of 42.3 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Panama City approximately 34% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals $75,000 in Panama City?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Panama City, you would need approximately kr 1,037,911 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Panama City or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Panama City is $1,000/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Panama City has lower rent by approximately 33%.

Which city has lower taxes, Panama City or Stockholm?

Panama City has lower total deductions (19.5%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Panama City.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

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.