Cost of Living in Guatemala 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Guatemala is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ).
Monthly Living Costs in Guatemala
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Monthly budget (single person): €1,022 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,297 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Guatemala Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 45.1 |
| Rent index | 16 |
| Groceries index | 45.1 |
| Restaurant price index | 38.8 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 37.8 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 42.8 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 14.3 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Guatemala from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €18,000 |
| Engineering | €13,000 |
| Finance | €12,000 |
| Healthcare | €10,500 |
| Construction | €9,500 |
| Education | €8,500 |
| Hospitality | €6,500 |
| Retail | €6,000 |
Taxes in Guatemala
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 7.8% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,150 |
| VAT / sales tax | 12% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 7% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,150 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,022), roughly €5,128 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Guatemala Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | €682 | €250 | €25 | 45.1 |
| Belize | €650 | €280 | €30 | 54.4 |
| El Salvador | €450 | €85 | €22 | 46.9 |
| Honduras | €380 | €85 | €18 | 47.5 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Guatemala:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 3 residence and visa routes for Guatemala — see the full Guatemala visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €3,000 per month — Permisos de Trabajo de Personas Extranjeras (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €975 per month to sustain a move to Guatemala.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guatemala expensive?
Guatemala has a cost-of-living index of 45.1 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €682 per month and a single person spends about €1,022 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Guatemala?
About €1,022 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,297 per month.
What do people earn in Guatemala?
Typical gross annual salaries in Guatemala range from €6,000 (Retail) to €18,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Guatemala?
Among the 3 Guatemala residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €3,000 per month (Permisos de Trabajo de Personas Extranjeras). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Guatemala country profile and the Guatemala emigration guide.
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