Bangkok vs Panama City: cost of living for digital nomads
Bangkok, Thailand and Panama City, Panama, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Bangkok is about 4% cheaper than Panama City for a month of nomad living ($1,720 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Bangkok against $850 in Panama City.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Bangkok: 230 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Bangkok wins 6 of the measured lines; Panama City wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bangkok or Panama City?
Bangkok is cheaper: about $1,720/month against $1,800/month in Panama City, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bangkok or Panama City?
Bangkok and Panama City score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Bangkok or Panama City?
Bangkok has faster typical internet: 230 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Panama City.
| Line | Bangkok | Panama City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,720 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $720 | $850 |
| Food | $420 | $460 |
| Transport | $60 | $50 |
| Coworking | $130 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 230 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Bangkok November 1, 2026, Panama City November 1, 2026.