CostIndexUSA

Panama City, FL vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Panama City is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 14.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Panama City, you would need $91,300 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+57.0%
Panama City
96.4
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+8.1%
Panama City
96.2
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+8.1%
Panama City
103.8
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.1%
Panama City
93.9
Seattle
101.5
Utilities+5.3%
Panama City
88.1
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$91,300
$11,300 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.1418. 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×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 57.0% 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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.