Best cities to live in Panama (2026)
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Path to PR
Boquete
63/100Panama City
57/100Compare cities in Panama
❓ Living in Panama — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Panama?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Boquete ranks #1 in Panama with a score of 63/100, and city-centre rent from around $725/month.
What is the safest city in Panama?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Boquete is the safest city in Panama in our database, with a rate of 12.5 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Boquete or Panama City?▾
Boquete scores 63/100 on our Livability Score vs 57/100 for Panama City. Rent is $725/mo in Boquete vs $1059/mo in Panama City. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Panama?▾
Panama offers the Panama Pensionado Visa (easy process). Duration: Permanent (renewable every 2 years). Key requirement: Lifetime pension of $1,000/mo ($1,250 with dependent). No age requirement. Famous discount package included.. The process is relatively easy. Check individual city pages for full details.
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