North America · Guatemala City
Cost of living in Guatemala
Guatemala is 57% cheaper than the US, ranking #102 of 203 countries we cover for cost of living.
World Bank data through 2024 · last reviewed 2026-06.
What drives the cost here
Price levels by category, where the world average = 100. Above 100 is pricier than the global norm; below it is cheaper.
In Guatemala, communication is the priciest category relative to the world (161), while restaurants & hotels is the most affordable (41).
Category price levels: World Bank ICP 2021 (world average = 100) · source
What your money is worth here
A $100,000 US lifestyle would cost roughly $43,500 in Guatemala.
Quality of life
59/100 · #146 of 198Beyond cost — health, safety, and connectivity. The score is a transparent, equal-weight composite of the verified metrics below (see methodology).
About Guatemala
The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict.
Background from the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived 2026-06-03.
Frequently asked
Is Guatemala expensive to live in?
Guatemala is 57% cheaper than the US, ranking #102 of the 203 countries we track. Its most expensive category relative to the world is communication; restaurants & hotels costs the least.
How much money do you need to live in Guatemala?
A lifestyle that costs $100,000 in the United States would cost roughly $43,500 in Guatemala, going by overall price levels. The salary translator turns your own figure into a local equivalent.
Is Guatemala cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Its overall price level is 43.4, against 100 for the United States.
What is the quality of life in Guatemala?
Guatemala scores 59 out of 100 on our quality-of-life index (#146 of 198), a composite of life expectancy, safety, health, and connectivity, with life expectancy around 73 years.
Every number, sourced.
We cite the exact source and year for each figure. Derived values are computed at build time, never hand-entered.
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