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Cost of Living in Guatemala City

Guatemala City, Guatemala, Guatemala · Population 994,938 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Guatemala average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)Q4,687 ($605)
Couple, monthlyQ8,374 ($1,080)
Family of four, monthlyQ10,882 ($1,404)

Estimated Prices in Guatemala City

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantQ48.36 ($6.24)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeQ193 ($24.96)per meal
CappuccinoQ14.51 ($1.87)each
Monthly groceries (single person)Q1,096 ($141)per month
Monthly public transport passQ177 ($22.88)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentQ467 ($60.32)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)Q135 ($17.47)per month
Fitness club membershipQ135 ($17.47)per month
Cinema ticketQ35.46 ($4.58)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreQ2,103 ($271)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreQ1,463 ($189)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreQ4,389 ($566)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Guatemala City is Q4,534 ($585) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of Q4,687 ($605) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly Q6,093 ($786) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (Q1,463 ($189)) represents about 31% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Guatemala City

Guatemala City vs MixcoGuatemala City vs Villa NuevaGuatemala City vs San Juan SacatepéquezGuatemala City vs San Pedro CarcháGuatemala City vs CobánGuatemala City vs Quetzaltenango

Nearby Cities

Chinautla

7 km away · Guatemala

Santa Catarina Pinula

9 km away · Guatemala

Mixco

11 km away · Guatemala

San Pedro Sacatepéquez

15 km away · Guatemala

Santiago Sacatepéquez

15 km away · Sacatepéquez

Villa Nueva

15 km away · Guatemala

San José Pinula

16 km away · Guatemala

San Lucas Sacatepéquez

16 km away · Sacatepéquez

Other Major Cities in Guatemala

Mixco

Guatemala · pop. 527,828

Q3,762 ($485) / mo

Villa Nueva

Guatemala · pop. 492,480

Q3,762 ($485) / mo

San Juan Sacatepéquez

Guatemala · pop. 284,798

Q3,762 ($485) / mo

San Pedro Carchá

Alta Verapaz · pop. 255,006

Q3,762 ($485) / mo

Cobán

Alta Verapaz · pop. 228,664

Q3,534 ($456) / mo

Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango · pop. 207,620

Q3,534 ($456) / mo

Jalapa

Jalapa · pop. 192,676

Q3,534 ($456) / mo

Escuintla

Escuintla · pop. 170,280

Q3,534 ($456) / mo

Living in Guatemala City

Guatemala City is the capital and one of the key cities in Guatemala. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is Q4,687 ($605), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around Q1,463 ($189) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to Q10,882 ($1,404) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately Q8,374 ($1,080) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Guatemala City is Q4,534 ($585). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least Q6,093 ($786) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Guatemala City expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated Q4,687 ($605) per month in Guatemala City including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Guatemala.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Guatemala City?
A net salary of around Q6,093 ($786) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Guatemala City with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Guatemala City is Q4,534 ($585).
How much is rent in Guatemala City?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated Q2,103 ($271) per month in the city centre and Q1,463 ($189) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about Q4,389 ($566).
Is Guatemala City cheaper than Guatemala on average?
No — Guatemala City is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Guatemala average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Guatemala City?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at Q1,096 ($141) in Guatemala City. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about Q48 ($6) and a cappuccino runs around Q15 ($2).
How do transport costs in Guatemala City compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Guatemala City is estimated at Q177 ($23). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Guatemala City are estimates based on Guatemala national averages adjusted for city size (population 994,938) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.