Compare countries · Colombia vs Panama
Colombia vs Panama
Colombia(South America)·
Panama(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Colombia leads on 4, Panama on 9. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Colombia cheaper than Panama?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Colombia at 31.7 and Panama at 45.5. Colombia is about 30% cheaper overall.
Is Colombia or Panama safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Colombia scores 2.73 and Panama scores 1.98. Panama ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Colombia or Panama?
On the UN Human Development Index, Colombia scores 0.788 and Panama scores 0.839. Panama scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Colombia compared to Panama?
GNI per capita runs $7,900 in Colombia against $19,140 in Panama; people live 77.9 years on average against 79.8; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 61. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Colombia
31.7
Better than 75% of countries
Panama
45.5
Worse than 57% of countries
Colombia: 30% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Colombia
10.9
Better than 71% of countries
Panama
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Colombia: 53% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Colombia
2.73
Worse than 86% of countries
Panama
1.98
Around the global middle
Panama: more peaceful (1.98 vs 2.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Colombia
38.7
Worse than 83% of countries
Panama
57.2
Better than 57% of countries
Panama: higher perceived safety (57.2 vs 38.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Colombia
0.788
Better than 57% of countries
Panama
0.839
Better than 70% of countries
Panama: higher human development (0.839 vs 0.788).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Colombia
$22,640
Around the global middle
Panama
$43,902
Better than 71% of countries
Panama: 94% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Colombia
77.9 yrs
Better than 68% of countries
Panama
79.8 yrs
Better than 77% of countries
Panama: 1.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Colombia
68.9
Better than 66% of countries
Panama
61.2
Worse than 59% of countries
Colombia: better-rated healthcare (68.9 vs 61.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Colombia
210 Mbps
Better than 81% of countries
Panama
220 Mbps
Better than 84% of countries
Panama: 5% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Colombia
52/100
Worse than 57% of countries
Panama
62/100
Better than 63% of countries
Panama: freer press (62 vs 52 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Colombia
6.04
Around the global middle
Panama
6.55
Better than 74% of countries
Panama: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.55 vs 6.04).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Colombia
480
Worse than 66% of countries
Panama
491
Worse than 61% of countries
Panama: stronger English proficiency (491 vs 480).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Colombia
82.3
Around the global middle
Panama
68.2
Worse than 81% of countries
Colombia: more pleasant climate rating (82.3 vs 68.2).
Deciding between Colombia and Panama for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Colombia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Panama profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.