What groceries cost in Panama: the official family food basket
“How much does it cost to live in Panama?” is one of the first questions we hear. Rent and lifestyle vary a lot, but one number is published by the government every month: the cost of a basic family food basket. Written November 6, 2026, using the June 2026 report.
The two official numbers
The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) publishes the Canasta Básica Familiar de Alimentos each month. It prices a fixed list of foods for a typical household, in balboas (B/.), which are equal to US dollars. For June 2026 it reports:
Panama City and San Miguelito: B/.366.98
The basket for these two districts has 59 products. The MEF says it was up B/.3.34 compared with June 2025.
Rest of urban Panama: B/.345.20
The basket for other urban areas has 50 foods. It was up B/.7.04 compared with June 2025.
What the gap tells you
The difference between the two is B/.21.78 a month, about 6 percent. That suggests groceries cost somewhat more in the capital area than elsewhere, but be careful: the two baskets do not contain the same number of products, so this is a guide, not an exact comparison. The report also does not price places such as El Valle de Antón or Boquete separately; they fall inside the “rest of urban Panama” average at best.
What the basket does not include
It covers food only, from a fixed list. It does not include rent, utilities, health insurance, transport, schooling, restaurants or imported favorites. Housing is usually the biggest difference between Panama City and the interior, and it depends on the neighborhood, the building and whether you rent or buy. Treat the basket as one line of your budget, not the whole budget.
Practical tips
- Build your own budget by lines: housing, food, utilities, health, transport and leisure, using current quotes for each.
- Compare places by visiting. Stay a few weeks in the area you are considering before you sign a lease; see our pages on El Valle de Antón and Boquete.
- Check the latest report. The MEF updates the basket monthly, so the figures above will change.
- Plan the paperwork too. If you are thinking of retiring here, read what the Pensionado residence asks for.
Where we fit in
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This article is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Figures and requirements change, so confirm current details with the relevant authority. Source: MEF, Dirección de Análisis Económico y Social, Canasta Básica Familiar de Alimentos, June 2026 (in Spanish).