Panama City vs David
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Panama City leads on any axis where its bar is higher, David where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so David's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Panama City | David |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 59 | 61 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 47 | 50 |
| Climate | 78 | 81 |
| Safety | 54 | 55 |
| Summer °C | 28.3 | 27.8 |
| Winter °C | 26.4 | 25.7 |
| Top disaster risk | storms (hurricane/cyclone) | earthquake |
Panama City vs David: the short answer
David comes out ahead on overall livability (61/100), only marginally above Panama City (59/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability David is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Panama City 47 vs David 50, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Panama City runs warmer in summer (about 28.3°C peak vs 27.8°C in David), while winter lows sit near 26.4°C in Panama City and 25.7°C in David. On natural-disaster exposure David is the safer choice (safety 55/100); the dominant modelled hazard is storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Panama City and earthquake for David.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → David — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Panama City — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → David — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → David — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Panama City or David better to live in?
David scores higher overall — 61 vs 59 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Panama City or David?
David has the lower cost of living (cost index 50 vs 47; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Panama City or David?
Panama City — summer highs reach about 28.3°C versus 27.8°C in David.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Panama City or David?
David (disaster-safety 55/100). Main hazard: storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Panama City, earthquake in David.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Panama City?
storms (hurricane/cyclone) is the dominant modelled hazard for Panama City on our risk index.
How is the Panama City vs David comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.