Panama City vs Phuket: cost of living for digital nomads
Panama City, Panama and Phuket, Thailand, 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
- Phuket is about 19% cheaper than Panama City for a month of nomad living ($1,450 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $600 in Phuket against $850 in Panama City.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Phuket: 180 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Panama City wins 1 of the measured lines; Phuket wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Panama City or Phuket?
Phuket is cheaper: about $1,450/month against $1,800/month in Panama City, roughly 19% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Panama City or Phuket?
Panama City and Phuket score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Panama City or Phuket?
Phuket has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Panama City.
| Line | Panama City | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,800 | $1,450 |
| Rent | $850 | $600 |
| Food | $460 | $380 |
| Transport | $50 | $70 |
| Coworking | $140 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 180 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 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): Panama City November 1, 2026, Phuket September 10, 2026.