Compare countries · Costa Rica vs Panama
Costa Rica vs Panama
Costa Rica(North America)·
Panama(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Costa Rica leads on 7, Panama on 3, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Costa Rica
52.9
Worse than 73% of countries
Panama
45.5
Worse than 57% of countries
Panama: 14% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Costa Rica
20.3
Worse than 69% of countries
Panama
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Costa Rica: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Costa Rica
1.76
Better than 76% of countries
Panama
1.91
Better than 59% of countries
Costa Rica: more peaceful (1.76 vs 1.91).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Costa Rica
0.806
Better than 67% of countries
Panama
0.820
Better than 70% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Costa Rica
$33,815
Better than 64% of countries
Panama
$43,902
Better than 71% of countries
Panama: 30% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Costa Rica
81.0 yrs
Better than 80% of countries
Panama
79.8 yrs
Better than 77% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Costa Rica
64.8
Around the global middle
Panama
61.2
Worse than 59% of countries
Costa Rica: better-rated healthcare (64.8 vs 61.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Costa Rica
165 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
Panama
220 Mbps
Better than 84% of countries
Panama: 33% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Costa Rica
72/100
Better than 78% of countries
Panama
62/100
Better than 63% of countries
Costa Rica: freer press (72 vs 62 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Costa Rica
7.44
Better than 97% of countries
Panama
6.55
Better than 74% of countries
Costa Rica: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.44 vs 6.55).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Costa Rica
516
Around the global middle
Panama
491
Worse than 61% of countries
Costa Rica: stronger English proficiency (516 vs 491).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Costa Rica
93.1
Better than 85% of countries
Panama
68.2
Worse than 81% of countries
Costa Rica: more pleasant climate rating (93.1 vs 68.2).
Not comparable for this pair
- Perceived street safety: Numbeo doesn't publish a safety index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Costa Rica and Panama for real?
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Find your match →Full Costa Rica profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Panama profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.