Cost of Living: Boquete vs New York (2026)

Boquete is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $725/month there vs $4281/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

New York is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Boquete has a rate of 12.47 per 100,000 and New York has 3.90 per 100,000.

Boquete edges ahead 64 to 56. New York isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Boquete: Panama Pensionado Visa (easy to get, Permanent (renewable every 2 years)). New York: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

New York is warmer in summer (82°F vs 75°F). Boquete has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

New York is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Boquete (32/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $725/month in Boquete, $4281/month in New York (Numbeo). That's 83% cheaper rent in Boquete.

New York scores 7.8/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.8/10 for Boquete. Both are functional democracies, though the gap matters if you're planning to stay long enough to care about local politics.

New York scores higher on our composite healthcare index (79/100 vs 68/100 for Boquete). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.