Istanbul vs Panama City: cost of living for digital nomads

Istanbul, Turkey 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

  • Istanbul is about 22% cheaper than Panama City for a month of nomad living ($1,400 vs $1,800).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Istanbul against $850 in Panama City.
  • Both score 7/10 on safety.
  • Internet is faster in Panama City: 100 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
  • Istanbul is mediterranean; Panama City is tropical.

Istanbul wins 5 of the measured lines; Panama City wins 1.

LineIstanbulPanama City
Monthly total (USD)$1,400$1,800
Rent$650$850
Food$380$460
Transport$45$50
Coworking$110$140
Safety (out of 10)7/107/10
Internet (Mbps)60100
Climatemediterraneantropical
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastcoast
Nomad score (out of 10)8/108/10

Panama City

Panama City, Panama.

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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.