0 0 schools$1,800/mo avg rentVery Large expat community
A former US military base converted into a leafy, campus-like suburb. Home to the City of Knowledge, international schools, and STRI research facilities.
5/5
Safety
5/5
Family Friendly
5/5
Quality of Life
5/5
Expat Friendly
4/5
Healthcare
Very Large
Expat Community
23-33°C
Temp Range
Very High
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
33°C
Hottest (Apr)
24°C
Coolest (Dec)
15
Sunny days/mo avg
2050mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowSea tempRainfall
27°
🌊 Jan
27°
🌊 Feb
27°
🌊 Mar
28°
🌊 Apr
28°
🌊 May
28°
🌊 Jun
28°
🌊 Jul
28°
🌊 Aug
28°
🌊 Sep
28°
🌊 Oct
28°
🌊 Nov
27°
🌊 Dec
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$1,800
Avg. rent /mo
$7.00
Budget meal
$30
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$3.50
Domestic beer$1.50
Imported beer$3.00
Water (1.5L)$0.80
Groceries
Loaf of bread$2.20
Milk (1L)$1.60
Dozen eggs$2.50
Chicken (1 kg)$5.00
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$1.50
Taxi per km$0.70
Monthly transit pass$25
Gasoline (per liter)$0.95
Monthly Bills
Internet$35 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$100 /mo
Gym membership$50 /mo
Domestic help$380 /mo
Preschool / nursery$400 /mo
Comfortable
2-bedroom house, car, bilingual school.
$2,800/mo
Rent$1,000
Groceries$400
Lifestyle & leisure$220
Transport$150
Utilities$150
Dining out$220
Healthcare$150
School fees (per child)$400
Domestic help$110
Established
3-bedroom house with yard, international school.
$5,500/mo
Rent$1,800
Groceries$600
Lifestyle & leisure$450
Transport$250
Utilities$220
Dining out$430
Healthcare$250
School fees (per child)$1,000
Domestic help$250
Premium
Large house, premium school, full services.
$9,500/mo
Rent$3,000
Groceries$850
Lifestyle & leisure$1,000
Transport$400
Utilities$300
Dining out$700
Healthcare$400
School fees (per child)$2,000
Domestic help$550
Clayton offers good value for the green, family-friendly environment. All figures in USD.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
48Jan
45Feb
50Mar
52Apr
45May
42Jun
40Jul
42Aug
45Sep
48Oct
50Nov
48Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 46. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Jul at 40).
👥 Demographics
25%
Expat Population
upper_middle
Income Level
~10,000
Population
Nationalities
Panamanian60%
American8%
Colombian5%
European (mixed)7%
Other Latin American10%
Other10%
Languages Spoken
Spanish60%
🏘️ Community & Culture
Former US military base converted to international knowledge hubCity of Knowledge campus with NGOs, universities, and tech companiesAmerican-style layout with wide streets, yards, and tropical treesSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute nearby
Who Lives Here
Clayton is a former US military base in the Panama Canal Zone, now converted into a residential and institutional district. The area retains its American-style layout with wide streets, single-family houses with yards, and mature tropical trees. It is home to the City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber), a campus housing international organizations, universities, and tech companies. The community includes international NGO workers, academics, diplomats, and families drawn by the green, campus-like environment.
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Metropolitan Natural Park — tropical rainforest within the capital cityCanal observation points with ship-watchingSafe, wide streets for children's outdoor play — unusual for Panama CityTrail running and wildlife viewing in adjacent rainforest
Parks
Metropolitan Natural Park is adjacent — a rare tropical rainforest within a capital city with hiking trails, wildlife, and canopy views. The wide, tree-lined streets of Clayton itself serve as pleasant walking areas. The Panama Canal is visible from several points.
🚗 Getting Around
Albrook Metro station adjacent for Line 1 transit accessAlbrook domestic airport literally next doorTocumen International Airport 25-35 minutesCorredor Sur highway connects to eastern Panama City
Driving
Car or taxi for most destinations. The Corredor Sur highway connects to eastern Panama City and the airport. Casco Viejo 15 min. Punta Pacifica 15 min.
🛒 Daily Life
Albrook Mall adjacent — one of the Americas' largest with full servicesRiba Smith supermarket for premium and international groceriesCity of Knowledge with institutional servicesHospital access within 15-20 minutes in the city
Groceries
Albrook Mall (one of the Americas' largest) is adjacent, with a full supermarket, hundreds of stores, and entertainment. Riba Smith supermarket nearby for premium groceries.
📝 Living with the Climate
Tree canopy makes Clayton cooler than concrete downtownMetropolitan Park remains lush year-roundDry season (Dec-Apr) with lower humidity at 28-33CBelow the hurricane belt — no hurricane risk
Dry Season (December - April)
Pleasant at 28-33C with lower humidity. The tropical forest in Metropolitan Park is at its driest but remains lush.