Pensacola vs Panama City, Florida, USA: Reviewed and Compared! (2024)

Pensacola and Panama City are among the cities in the State of Florida, USA. There are often debates online about which of these cities is better to live in or explore as a tourist. In light of this, we will review and compare them based on several factors, including their living expenses, healthcare accessibility, and job opportunities.

Whether you are a tourist, student, or prospective migrant who does not want to regret your actions, this article is for you. So, ensure you read this post to the end!

About Pensacola, FL, and Panama, FL, USA

Pensacola is a US city located in the northwestern region of Florida, precisely in the westernmost part of the State. It was first settled in 1559 and incorporated in 1822. Pensacola has two area codes, which are 850 and 448. It is the only city in Escambia County.

On the other hand, Panama City is located in Bay County, Florida, along the US Highway 98, between Tallahassee and Pensacola. It was first settled in the 18th century, precisely in 1765, and was incorporated in 1909. The city has two area codes, which include 850 and 448.

Panama City vs Pensacola size

Pensacola and Panama City have nearly the same total area of around 106 square kilometers. However, Panama City has a larger land area, while Pensacola’s water area is greater. Pensacola has a land area of 58.95 square kilometers and a water area of 47.54 square kilometers.

On the contrary, Panama City has a land area of 90.97 square kilometers and a water area of 15.93 square kilometers.

Panama City vs Pensacola population

Pensacola has 65% higher the population of Panama City. The city is home to more than 54,000 people, while Panama City has around 33,000 residents.

Whose weather is better? Pensacola vs Panama City, Florida

Pensacola residents enjoy their climate better, characterized by a humid subtropical climate. This type of climate is known for its hot and humid summers, as well as winters, which range from cool to mild.

Costo de vida

So, what is the cost of living in Pensacola, Florida, compared to Panama City, Florida? The estimated monthly living expenses in Pensacola is $2,055 for a single person. But in Panama City, the cost is lower, at $1,596 a month.

While Pensacola’s living costs is higher, you do not have to worry about your finances, as employers in the city pay reasonable salaries, even than those in Panama City. The average monthly salary in Pensacola is $4,139, while that of Panama City is $3,813.

Which is safer, Panama City or Pensacola, FL?

Pensacola is a safer place for Americans and foreigners to explore and live in than Panama City. The city’s current crime rate is 3.33%, while that of Panama City is a bit higher at 3.7%. So, if you are worried about going to somewhere unsafe, choose Pensacola for peace of mind.

Tourist attractions in Panama City vs Pensacola, Florida, USA

There are more exciting things worth seeing and doing in Pensacola than in Panama City. However, it is important to know that the fun activities in each city vary due to their land and water area differences.

While Pensacola offers more water-related activities, Panama City has less due to its smaller water area.

Here’s a list of the best places to visit in Pensacola and Panama City, respectively:

Most popular places to explore in Panama City, FL: Pier Park, ZooWorld Zoological Park, Panama City Beach, Shipwreck Island Waterpark, St. Andrews State Park, etc.

Top tourist sites in Pensacola, FL: Grizzly Axes, the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Gulf Breeze Zoo, etc.

Studying in Panama City vs. Pensacola, Florida, USA

Both FL cities have high-quality education systems and great academic institutions that accept international students from all corners of the world. However, we would highly recommend studying in Panama City, FL, as the city is home to Florida State University, one of the most prestigious universities in the US.

See below to discover the best colleges and universities in both cities:

Top higher education institutions in Pensacola, FL: University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, Virginia College, Pensacola Christian College, etc.

Best universities in Panama City, FL: Florida State University, Gulf Coast State College, Tom P Haney Technical College, etc.

Working in Pensacola vs Panama City- Job opportunities and in-demand jobs

According to YCharts monthly insights, we discovered that there are more unemployed persons in Panama City than in Pensacola. As of the time of publishing this post, the unemployment rate in Pensacola, FL, is 2.80%, while that of Ciudad de Panamá, FL, is slightly higher, at 3.20%.

So, if you are considering relocating to either city, we advise you to opt for Pensacola, as there are high chances of getting a job quickly. As a matter of fact, employers in Pensacola offer better salaries than those in Panama City.

It is important to note that Pensacola is best for people who want to work in cyber security, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, or offer professional services.

Top employers in Pensacola, FL: Navy Federal Credit Union, General Electric, Baptist Hospital, Booz Allen Hamilton, Walmart, HCA Healthcare, etc.

Best places to work in Panama City, Florida: Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Bay Haven Charter Academy, Royal American Management, etc.

Healthcare systems and accessibility

Both Florida cities have excellent healthcare systems. However, medical care is easier to access in Panama City than in Pensacola due to its greater number of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

So, if your purpose of visit is for medical attention or you need to see a doctor frequently, consider Panama City over Pensacola.

Envolver

Choosing Panama City or Pensacola is not something you will regret but your experience in each city will vary depending on several factors. While there are more jobs in Pensacola, Panama City is a better place for university education, being home to Florida State University.

It is also cheaper to live in Panama City than in Pensacola, which makes it a preferred option for students, low-income workers, and prospective migrants who have spent so much on their immigration processing.

Es posible que también desee consultar el immigration policy for new immigrants in the US.

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