The Panama City metro is home to 206,627 people (up 4.1% over five years), with a median household income of $67,834. Typical rent of $1,735/month works out to 30.7% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Panama City's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 17.3% |
| Retail trade | 12.8% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 12.3% |
| Professional & management | 11.5% |
| Construction | 10.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 30.7% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Panama City market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,735/month suggests a household income around $69,000/year. The metro's median household income is $67,834.
By workforce share: Education & health care (17.3%), Retail trade (12.8%), Arts, food & hospitality (12.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).