CostIndexUSA

Panama City, FL vs Salinas, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
CA
Salinas
109
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Panama City is moderately cheaper than Salinas — 12.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Panama City, you would need $89,600 in Salinas. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+51.1%
Panama City
96.4
Salinas
145.7
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Panama City
96.2
Salinas
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.4%
Panama City
103.8
Salinas
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
Panama City
93.9
Salinas
95.3
Utilities+75.0%
Panama City
88.1
Salinas
154.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Panama City to see what you'd need to earn in Salinas to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Salinas, CA
$89,600
$9,600 more needed in Salinas

Formula: salary × (109 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.1202. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Salinas, CA

Median Home Price
$826,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
145.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9×

Salinas has 51.1% higher housing costs compared to Panama City.

Income & Job Market

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Salinas, CA

Median Household Income
$88,000
Per Capita Income
$50,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
163,542
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Salinas, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.