Cost of Living: Guatemala vs United Kingdom

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Guatemala and United Kingdom.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Guatemala is 55.8% cheaper than United Kingdom. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 83.3% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in United Kingdom, you would spend about $44 in Guatemala for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 83.3%

Guatemala is 83.3% cheaper

Other Expenses 81.4%

Guatemala is 81.4% cheaper

Household Utilities 81.3%

Guatemala is 81.3% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 55.8%

Guatemala is 55.8% cheaper than United Kingdom

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +36.4%

Is Guatemala cheaper than United Kingdom?

Yes, Guatemala is cheaper than United Kingdom

Overall, living costs in Guatemala are 55.8% lower than in United Kingdom.

Where Guatemala is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 83.3% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 81.4% cheaper
  • Household Utilities 81.3% cheaper

Where Guatemala is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 36.4% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Guatemala: 5.86 $ United Kingdom: 20.35 $
71.2% cheaper in Guatemala

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Guatemala: 694.57 $ United Kingdom: 1,411.39 $
50.8% cheaper in Guatemala

Monthly public transport pass

Guatemala: 13.03 $ United Kingdom: 94.95 $
86.3% cheaper in Guatemala

1 liter of milk

Guatemala: 1.98 $ United Kingdom: 1.69 $
17.2% more expensive in Guatemala

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Guatemala is indeed cheaper than United Kingdom. You would save approximately 55.8% on living expenses by choosing Guatemala over United Kingdom. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

55.8%

Guatemala is 55.8% cheaper than United Kingdom

Restaurants

43.6%

Guatemala is 43.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Markets

60.6%

Guatemala is 60.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Other Expenses

81.4%

Guatemala is 81.4% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Transportation

47.6%

Guatemala is 47.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Household Utilities

81.3%

Guatemala is 81.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Mobile and Internet

36.4%

Guatemala is 36.4% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Sports And Leisure

0.9%

Guatemala is 0.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Childcare

68.7%

Guatemala is 68.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Clothing And Shoes

9.6%

Guatemala is 9.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Rent Per Month

53.1%

Guatemala is 53.1% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Property Prices

77.8%

Guatemala is 77.8% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Salaries And Financing

83.3%

Guatemala is 83.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Guatemala United Kingdom Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 5.86 $ 20.35 $ 71.2%
Guatemala is 71.2% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 52.13 $ 88.17 $ 40.9%
Guatemala is 40.9% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.52 $ 10.17 $ 35.9%
Guatemala is 35.9% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 3.50 $ 4.62 $ 24.2%
Guatemala is 24.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.28 $ 2.41 $ 46.9%
Guatemala is 46.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.00 $ 1.72 $ 41.9%
Guatemala is 41.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.18 $ 1.53 $ 22.9%
Guatemala is 22.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 1.90 $ 1.17 $ 62.4%
Guatemala is 62.4% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.98 $ 1.69 $ 17.2%
Guatemala is 17.2% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.63 $ 1.67 $ 57.5%
Guatemala is 57.5% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 1.85 $ 2.21 $ 16.3%
Guatemala is 16.3% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.32 $ 4.03 $ 42.4%
Guatemala is 42.4% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 7.51 $ 9.73 $ 22.8%
Guatemala is 22.8% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 7.96 $ 8.96 $ 11.2%
Guatemala is 11.2% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 9.71 $ 16.31 $ 40.5%
Guatemala is 40.5% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.59 $ 2.97 $ 20.9%
Guatemala is 20.9% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 1.64 $ 1.64 $ 0.0%
Guatemala is 0.0% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 3.29 $ 2.88 $ 14.2%
Guatemala is 14.2% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.48 $ 3.54 $ 58.2%
Guatemala is 58.2% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.52 $ 1.65 $ 7.9%
Guatemala is 7.9% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.82 $ 1.55 $ 17.4%
Guatemala is 17.4% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 0.77 $ 1.14 $ 32.5%
Guatemala is 32.5% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 13.03 $ 94.95 $ 86.3%
Guatemala is 86.3% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 3.78 $ 20.33 $ 81.4%
Guatemala is 81.4% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.04 $ 3.26 $ 68.1%
Guatemala is 68.1% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 3.75 $ 5.43 $ 30.9%
Guatemala is 30.9% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.08 $ 2.41 $ 55.2%
Guatemala is 55.2% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 10.10 $ 27.13 $ 62.8%
Guatemala is 62.8% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.09 $ 1.95 $ 44.1%
Guatemala is 44.1% cheaper
New Economy Car 18,244.56 $ 38,367.32 $ 52.4%
Guatemala is 52.4% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 23,114.91 $ 40,488.21 $ 42.9%
Guatemala is 42.9% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 60.34 $ 322.47 $ 81.3%
Guatemala is 81.3% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 28.04 $ 17.46 $ 60.6%
Guatemala is 60.6% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 53.58 $ 42.38 $ 26.4%
Guatemala is 26.4% more expensive
Gym Membership 44.14 $ 46.25 $ 4.6%
Guatemala is 4.6% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 24.34 $ 15.82 $ 53.9%
Guatemala is 53.9% more expensive
Movie Ticket 6.45 $ 13.56 $ 52.4%
Guatemala is 52.4% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 247.86 $ 1,710.49 $ 85.5%
Guatemala is 85.5% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 6,752.51 $ 20,621.65 $ 67.3%
Guatemala is 67.3% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 50.77 $ 90.04 $ 43.6%
Guatemala is 43.6% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 52.78 $ 44.62 $ 18.3%
Guatemala is 18.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 98.38 $ 101.31 $ 2.9%
Guatemala is 2.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 104.83 $ 103.43 $ 1.4%
Guatemala is 1.4% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 694.57 $ 1,411.39 $ 50.8%
Guatemala is 50.8% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 425.62 $ 1,145.39 $ 62.8%
Guatemala is 62.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,360.47 $ 2,337.19 $ 41.8%
Guatemala is 41.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 685.84 $ 1,852.21 $ 63.0%
Guatemala is 63.0% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,471.54 $ 6,334.38 $ 76.8%
Guatemala is 76.8% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,063.50 $ 5,062.78 $ 79.0%
Guatemala is 79.0% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 532.99 $ 3,229.12 $ 83.5%
Guatemala is 83.5% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 8.74 5.75 52.0%
Guatemala is 52.0% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United Kingdom. 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 United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Guatemala

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.

United Kingdom

  • 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.