Panama vs Ecuador — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Panama has a cost of living index of 51.0 with average 1BR rent around $880/mo, while Ecuador sits at 45.0 with rent near $380/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Panama | Ecuador | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 6.50% | 10.00% | Panama |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 2.50% | 6.50% | Ecuador |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 22.0% | 16.0% | Ecuador |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$880/mo | US$380/mo | Ecuador |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$2,200/m² | US$1,300/m² | Ecuador |
Summary
Panama has a lower mortgage rate than Ecuador at 6.50% vs 10.00%. Rental costs in Panama average $880/month compared to $380 in Ecuador, while the cost of living index sits at 51.0 versus 45.0. Overall, the two countries trade strengths across financial and lifestyle metrics.
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Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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