Compare countries · Mexico vs Panama
Mexico vs Panama
Mexico(North America)·
Panama(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Mexico leads on 5, Panama on 8. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Mexico cheaper than Panama?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Mexico at 42.6 and Panama at 45.5. Mexico is about 6% cheaper overall.
Is Mexico or Panama safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Mexico scores 2.65 and Panama scores 1.98. Panama ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Mexico or Panama?
On the UN Human Development Index, Mexico scores 0.789 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 Mexico compared to Panama?
GNI per capita runs $13,730 in Mexico against $19,140 in Panama; people live 75.3 years on average against 79.8; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 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)
Mexico
42.6
Around the global middle
Panama
45.5
Worse than 57% of countries
Mexico: 6% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Mexico
17.8
Worse than 64% of countries
Panama
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Mexico: 23% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Mexico
2.65
Worse than 85% of countries
Panama
1.98
Around the global middle
Panama: more peaceful (1.98 vs 2.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Mexico
47.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Panama
57.2
Better than 57% of countries
Panama: higher perceived safety (57.2 vs 47.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Mexico
0.789
Better than 58% of countries
Panama
0.839
Better than 70% of countries
Panama: higher human development (0.839 vs 0.789).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Mexico
$25,868
Better than 57% of countries
Panama
$43,902
Better than 71% of countries
Panama: 70% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Mexico
75.3 yrs
Better than 55% of countries
Panama
79.8 yrs
Better than 77% of countries
Panama: 4.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Mexico
72.3
Better than 78% of countries
Panama
61.2
Worse than 59% of countries
Mexico: better-rated healthcare (72.3 vs 61.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Mexico
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Panama
220 Mbps
Better than 84% of countries
Panama: 134% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Mexico
45/100
Worse than 68% of countries
Panama
62/100
Better than 63% of countries
Panama: freer press (62 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Mexico
6.97
Better than 92% of countries
Panama
6.55
Better than 74% of countries
Mexico: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.97 vs 6.55).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Mexico
440
Worse than 85% of countries
Panama
491
Worse than 61% of countries
Panama: stronger English proficiency (491 vs 440).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Mexico
86.6
Better than 65% of countries
Panama
68.2
Worse than 81% of countries
Mexico: more pleasant climate rating (86.6 vs 68.2).
Deciding between Mexico 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 Mexico profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Panama profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.