Brisbane vs Panama City: cost of living for digital nomads
Brisbane, Australia 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
- Panama City is about 34% cheaper than Brisbane for a month of nomad living ($1,800 vs $2,715).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $850 in Panama City against $1,350 in Brisbane.
- Brisbane scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Brisbane: 220 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Brisbane wins 2 of the measured lines; Panama City wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Panama City?
Panama City is cheaper: about $1,800/month against $2,715/month in Brisbane, roughly 34% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brisbane or Panama City?
Brisbane scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Panama City.
Which has faster internet, Brisbane or Panama City?
Brisbane has faster typical internet: 220 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Panama City.
| Line | Brisbane | Panama City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,715 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $850 |
| Food | $590 | $460 |
| Transport | $85 | $50 |
| Coworking | $180 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 220 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Panama City with
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): Brisbane September 11, 2026, Panama City November 1, 2026.