⚖️ City comparison
Chicago vs Panama City
Thinking of leaving Chicago for Panama City? Here is how life in Panama City, Panama compares with Chicago on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Panama City is 42% cheaper: $2,114 vs $3,676 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Panama City: $1,270 vs $2,407 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Chicago has more pleasant weather: 4 pleasant months a year vs none in Panama City, which is hot or humid all year.
- Panama City is warmer: highs average 27°F more across the year (coldest-month high 84°F vs 32°F in Chicago; hottest 90°F vs 81°F).
- Residents rate Panama City safer: a safety index of 54 vs 35 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Internet is faster in Chicago: 385 vs 290 Mbps median download.
- The air is cleaner in Panama City: PM2.5 of 3.3 vs 9.7 µg/m³ a year.
- To live in Panama City you'd need a visa: Panama offers the Short-Stay Remote Worker Visa ($3,000/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇺🇸 Chicago | 🇵🇦 Panama City |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 49 | 67 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $3,676 | $2,114 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $2,407 | $1,270 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $1,269 | $844 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 4 | 0 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 32–81°F | 84–90°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 35/100 (residents) | 54/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 385 Mbps | 290 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 9.7 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Official language | Low (EF) |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | High | Moderate |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | Low |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | In the US | ~3h to Miami |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 8 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | You live here | 90 days |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Not needed | Short-Stay Remote Worker Visa |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | US tax as now | 🟢 Friendly · Local income only, top 25% |
Best months to be there
🇺🇸 Chicago
3 best months
🇵🇦 Panama City
6 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Chicago climate · Panama City climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
Add a third or fourth city: open this comparison in the interactive view →