CostIndexUSA

Panama City, FL vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Panama City is moderately cheaper than Worcester — 5.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Panama City, you would need $84,300 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+17.2%
Panama City
96.4
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+0.8%
Panama City
96.2
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Panama City
103.8
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Panama City
93.9
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+76.2%
Panama City
88.1
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$84,300
$4,300 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0534. 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×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 17.2% 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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

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)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.