Chiang Mai vs Panama City: cost of living for digital nomads

Chiang Mai, 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

  • Chiang Mai is about 39% cheaper than Panama City for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,800).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $850 in Panama City.
  • Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
  • Both have a tropical climate.

Chiang Mai wins 8 of the measured lines; Panama City wins 0.

LineChiang MaiPanama City
Monthly total (USD)$1,100$1,800
Rent$400$850
Food$320$460
Transport$40$50
Coworking$100$140
Safety (out of 10)8/107/10
Internet (Mbps)210100
Climatetropicaltropical
City sizemidmetro
Settinginlandcoast
Nomad score (out of 10)10/108/10

Panama City

Panama City, Panama.

Compare Chiang Mai with

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.