MigrantoCost of living in Guatemala
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Guatemala
Spending runs from GTQ 876 a month in the poorest fifth to GTQ 9,630 in the richest
Per person, whole country
GTQ 2,650
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
GTQ 876richest 20%
GTQ 9,630
Where people spend money in Guatemala
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Guatemala in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 36.1% of spending here, or GTQ 960 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 16.4 points more.
The richest fifth spends 11× the poorest
Spending runs from GTQ 876 a month in the poorest fifth to GTQ 9,630 in the richest, which is #15 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
Typical spending takes 73% of the average wage
A typical person spends GTQ 2,650 a month while the average take-home wage is GTQ 3,610, so 27% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Guatemala compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Guatemala against other countries
Cheaper than 55% of countries
Where Guatemala sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs GTQ 7,620 at world-middle prices costs GTQ 7,330 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Guatemala
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Cost of living in Guatemala
GTQ 876/mo
vs GTQ 6,100 in your country
Take-home
GTQ 2,420
vs GTQ 9,140 in your country
Potential savings
GTQ 1,540
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Guatemala?
A typical person in Guatemala spends about GTQ 2,650 a month — around GTQ 31,800 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Guatemala?
By spending, Guatemala ranks #94 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about GTQ 2,650 a month, the poorest 20% about GTQ 876 and the richest 20% about GTQ 9,630. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Guatemala in US dollars?
The cost of living in Guatemala is about $348 a month, or roughly $4,176 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Guatemala?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about GTQ 876 a month per person, a typical one around GTQ 2,650, and a comfortable life around GTQ 4,070. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Guatemala?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about GTQ 960 a month (36% of spending). Then come housing (GTQ 290, 11%) and transport (GTQ 282, 11%).
Is the average salary in Guatemala enough to live on?
In most cases yes, but without much of a cushion. Average spending is about GTQ 2,650 a month, while the average take-home pay in Guatemala is about GTQ 3,610. For more on incomes, see salaries in Guatemala.
Is Guatemala an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. Guatemala is more expensive than 49% of countries worldwide and ranks 23rd of 33 in Latin America by cost of living.
What currency is used in Guatemala?
Guatemala uses the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Guatemala
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