Cost of Living: Guatemala vs Singapore

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Guatemala and Singapore.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Guatemala is 80.0% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Property Prices, where costs are 93.3% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $20 in Guatemala for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Property Prices 93.3%

Guatemala is 93.3% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 87.0%

Guatemala is 87.0% cheaper

Transportation 84.6%

Guatemala is 84.6% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 80.0%

Guatemala is 80.0% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +44.5%

Is Guatemala cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Guatemala is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Guatemala are 80.0% lower than in Singapore.

Where Guatemala is cheaper:

  • Property Prices 93.3% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 87.0% cheaper
  • Transportation 84.6% cheaper

Where Guatemala is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 44.5% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Guatemala: 5.86 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
46.2% cheaper in Guatemala

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Guatemala: 694.57 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
77.9% cheaper in Guatemala

Monthly public transport pass

Guatemala: 13.03 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
86.1% cheaper in Guatemala

1 liter of milk

Guatemala: 1.98 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
34.2% cheaper in Guatemala

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Guatemala is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 80.0% on living expenses by choosing Guatemala over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

80.0%

Guatemala is 80.0% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

32.8%

Guatemala is 32.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Markets

64.5%

Guatemala is 64.5% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

71.0%

Guatemala is 71.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Transportation

84.6%

Guatemala is 84.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

61.9%

Guatemala is 61.9% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

44.5%

Guatemala is 44.5% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

46.4%

Guatemala is 46.4% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Childcare

77.5%

Guatemala is 77.5% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

13.7%

Guatemala is 13.7% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

79.4%

Guatemala is 79.4% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

93.3%

Guatemala is 93.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

87.0%

Guatemala is 87.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Guatemala Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 5.86 $ 10.90 $ 46.2%
Guatemala is 46.2% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 52.13 $ 77.88 $ 33.1%
Guatemala is 33.1% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.52 $ 7.79 $ 16.3%
Guatemala is 16.3% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 3.50 $ 4.88 $ 28.3%
Guatemala is 28.3% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.28 $ 1.68 $ 23.8%
Guatemala is 23.8% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.00 $ 1.22 $ 18.0%
Guatemala is 18.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.18 $ 1.52 $ 22.4%
Guatemala is 22.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 0.69 $ 2.00 $ 65.5%
Guatemala is 65.5% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 1.90 $ 2.49 $ 23.7%
Guatemala is 23.7% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 6.94 $ 10.00 $ 30.6%
Guatemala is 30.6% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.31 $ 2.21 $ 40.7%
Guatemala is 40.7% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.98 $ 3.01 $ 34.2%
Guatemala is 34.2% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.63 $ 2.35 $ 11.9%
Guatemala is 11.9% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 1.85 $ 2.92 $ 36.6%
Guatemala is 36.6% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.32 $ 3.35 $ 30.7%
Guatemala is 30.7% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 7.51 $ 19.37 $ 61.2%
Guatemala is 61.2% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 7.96 $ 11.15 $ 28.6%
Guatemala is 28.6% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 9.71 $ 15.21 $ 36.2%
Guatemala is 36.2% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.59 $ 4.57 $ 21.4%
Guatemala is 21.4% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.64 $ 2.97 $ 44.8%
Guatemala is 44.8% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 3.29 $ 4.51 $ 27.1%
Guatemala is 27.1% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.48 $ 2.71 $ 45.4%
Guatemala is 45.4% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.52 $ 2.39 $ 36.4%
Guatemala is 36.4% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.82 $ 2.20 $ 17.3%
Guatemala is 17.3% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.77 $ 1.86 $ 58.6%
Guatemala is 58.6% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 13.03 $ 93.46 $ 86.1%
Guatemala is 86.1% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 3.78 $ 13.05 $ 71.0%
Guatemala is 71.0% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.04 $ 1.56 $ 33.3%
Guatemala is 33.3% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 3.75 $ 3.58 $ 4.7%
Guatemala is 4.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 1.08 $ 0.78 $ 38.5%
Guatemala is 38.5% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 10.10 $ 16.28 $ 38.0%
Guatemala is 38.0% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.09 $ 2.22 $ 50.9%
Guatemala is 50.9% cheaper
New Economy Car 18,244.56 $ 140,192.38 $ 87.0%
Guatemala is 87.0% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 23,114.91 $ 128,887.54 $ 82.1%
Guatemala is 82.1% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 60.34 $ 158.22 $ 61.9%
Guatemala is 61.9% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 28.04 $ 18.54 $ 51.2%
Guatemala is 51.2% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 53.58 $ 37.95 $ 41.2%
Guatemala is 41.2% more expensive
Gym Membership 44.14 $ 115.77 $ 61.9%
Guatemala is 61.9% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 24.34 $ 12.22 $ 99.2%
Guatemala is 99.2% more expensive
Movie Ticket 6.45 $ 11.68 $ 44.8%
Guatemala is 44.8% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 247.86 $ 1,272.43 $ 80.5%
Guatemala is 80.5% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 6,752.51 $ 29,780.50 $ 77.3%
Guatemala is 77.3% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 50.77 $ 80.91 $ 37.3%
Guatemala is 37.3% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 52.78 $ 42.93 $ 22.9%
Guatemala is 22.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 98.38 $ 105.33 $ 6.6%
Guatemala is 6.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 104.83 $ 126.28 $ 17.0%
Guatemala is 17.0% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 694.57 $ 3,140.74 $ 77.9%
Guatemala is 77.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 425.62 $ 2,267.71 $ 81.2%
Guatemala is 81.2% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,360.47 $ 6,205.41 $ 78.1%
Guatemala is 78.1% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 685.84 $ 3,723.55 $ 81.6%
Guatemala is 81.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,471.54 $ 22,697.92 $ 93.5%
Guatemala is 93.5% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,063.50 $ 15,076.91 $ 92.9%
Guatemala is 92.9% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 532.99 $ 4,151.48 $ 87.2%
Guatemala is 87.2% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 8.74 3.17 175.7%
Guatemala is 175.7% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Singapore. Enter your monthly expenses in Guatemala to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Guatemala and Singapore goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Guatemala vs Singapore

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Guatemala

Singapore

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.