Panama City Beach is a small city of 18,281 in Florida, with a median household income of $76,091
and a 2.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 106 (US average = 100), which is
6% above the national average.
Strengths:
Panama City Beach stands out for solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Panama City Beach is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Panama City Beach city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 105.9
Panama City Beach's overall cost of living index is 105.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Panama City Beach costs roughly 6% more than the average American city.
Metric
Panama City Beach, FL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$363,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,646
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$76,091
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Panama City Beach's violent crime rate is 201.5 per 100,000 residents
— 47% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
201.5 /100k
Property Crime
694.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Panama City Beach is served primarily by BAY.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Panama City Beach, FL
National Avg
School District
BAY
—
Elementary Schools
24
—
Middle Schools
5
—
High Schools
12
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
33.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Panama City Beach sees average highs of 63.1°F in January
and 90.9°F in July,
with 65.4 inches of annual precipitation
.
Panama City Beach's cost of living index is 106, where 100 is the national average.
That puts Panama City Beach roughly 6% above the national average in cost.
The median home price is $363,900 and median rent is $1,646/month.
Panama City Beach's violent crime rate is 201.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 694.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Panama City Beach are operated by BAY.
The district has 24 elementary, 5 middle, and 12 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. 33.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Panama City Beach, FL has a population of 18,281, a median household income of $76,091, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%.
Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Panama City Beach averages 63.1°F in January and 90.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 65.4 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Panama City Beach, FL is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 32413, 32407.
The population of Panama City Beach, Florida is 18,281 with a median age of 45.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Panama City Beach: cost of living index 106 (100 = US average), median home $363,900, median household income $76,091, crime index 45 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Panama City Beach side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
