Panama
Cost of Living in David
The extreme heat (regularly 90°F+, 70-90% humidity) makes AC essential, pushing electricity to $150-300/month. This partially offsets the low base costs, but overall David remains the most affordable urban option. Good healthcare infrastructure with two private hospitals. Less English spoken than expat hubs—Spanish skills valuable. Many expats use David for shopping/medical while living in Boquete.
Monthly Total
$1,556
$27,230
Housing (1BR Mid-range)
$633
Daily Spend (ex. rent)
$31
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment. Last updated: 1/14/2026.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood
$633
$11,078
Utilities
Electric, water, gas, and internet
$250
$4,375
Groceries
Groceries from supermarkets
$210
$3,675
Dining Out
Mix of casual restaurants, ~12 meals/month
$60
$1,050
Transportation
Rideshare (Uber/Didi), ~30 rides/month
$90
$1,575
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Entertainment, occasional cleaning service
$176
$3,080
Healthcare
Basic private health insurance
$100
$1,750
Phone & Subscriptions
Phone plan and streaming subscriptions
$37
$648
Monthly Total
$1,556
$27,230
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Living in David
David offers Panama's lowest cost of living for a city with full urban amenities. Couples can live comfortably on $1,400/month. The catch: it's the hottest city in Central America, so AC costs partially offset the savings. Two private hospitals, international airport, PriceSmart, and modern shopping provide everything needed. Just 30 minutes from Boquete's cool climate for weekend escapes.
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