Panama City 71 Excellent
Panama City Livability #375 ranked city in Florida#6,611 ranked city in the USARanks better than 77% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Panama City

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Panama City?

Located in the state of Florida, Panama City is a mid-sized city with a population of 36,673 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 71% of Panama City residents are White, 21% Black and 1% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 50% of the Panama City population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Panama City. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Panama City, Florida. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Panama City and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Panama City to Florida and the national average.

With a livability score of 71 out of 100, Panama City is ranked #5,831 in the United States and #364 in Florida. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Panama City scores well for cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A+) Panama City does not do well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Panama City apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Panama City is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Panama City come in at $301,758, which is 0.7% higher than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Panama City, the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 0% lower than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Panama City

See all the best places to live around Panama City

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Compare Panama City, FL Livability

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      Panama City transportation information

      Statistic Panama City Florida National
      Average one way commute20min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.3%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.7%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.9%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home4.0%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Panama City, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.