Cost of Living Comparison Between Villarrica and Quetzaltenango Cost of Living Comparison Between Villarrica and Quetzaltenango

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $681 per month in Villarrica vs $1,098 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.

A couple spends around $855 per month in Villarrica vs $1,435 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,030 per month in Villarrica vs $1,772 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.

Villarrica is about 38% cheaper than Quetzaltenango, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Villarrica and Quetzaltenango are more affordable than the global median – Villarrica 49% lower, Quetzaltenango 18% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.79 ₲23.1K
$4.11 Q 31.29
-7.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.04 ₲91.6K
$34.08 Q 260
-55.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.53 ₲27.6K
$5.85 Q 44.56
-22.56%
Cappuccino
$1.23 ₲7,523
$2.55 Q 19.43
-51.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 ₲3,695
$0.48 Q 3.66
27.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 ₲2,431
$0.49 Q 3.71
-18.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.05 ₲6,372
$1.39 Q 10.56
-24.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93 ₲5,663
$1.95 Q 14.85
-52.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.91 ₲5,550
$1.82 Q 13.86
-50.00%
White Bread (500g)
$0.81 ₲4,953
$2.62 Q 19.98
-69.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.91 ₲5,528
$2.03 Q 15.45
-55.17%
Eggs
$1.65 ₲10.0K
$2.22 Q 16.95
-25.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.55 ₲33.8K
$7.98 Q 60.8
-30.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.97 ₲18.1K
$6.27 Q 47.77
-52.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.35 ₲38.7K
$9.23 Q 70.3
-31.20%
Apples (1kg)
$1.96 ₲12.0K
$2.41 Q 18.39
-18.67%
Banana (1kg)
$0.78 ₲4,764
$1.53 Q 11.66
-49.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.64 ₲3,902
$3.12 Q 23.77
-79.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.65 ₲10.1K
$1.02 Q 7.80
61.76%
Potato (1kg)
$1.02 ₲6,227
$1.75 Q 13.31
-41.71%
Onion (1kg)
$0.62 ₲3,793
$1.89 Q 14.43
-67.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.55 ₲3,357
$0.75 Q 5.74
-26.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₲3,226
$1.22 Q 9.30
-56.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.84 ₲5,109
$3.31 Q 25.25
-74.62%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.48 ₲51.7K
$7.94 Q 60.5
6.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₲3,068
$1.66 Q 12.66
-69.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 ₲8,206
$2.44 Q 18.61
-44.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.27 Q 2.07
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.60 ₲3,672
$3.67 Q 27.94
-83.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.79 ₲4,809
$0.60 Q 4.60
31.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.79 ₲23.1K
$6.61 Q 50.3
-42.66%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 ₲5,404
$0.95 Q 7.24
-6.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.8K ₲90.4M
$15.6K Q 119.0K
-4.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.1K ₲147.0M
$22.7K Q 173.2K
6.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$22.93 ₲139.8K
$79.4 Q 605
-71.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68 ₲83.4K
$13.27 Q 101
3.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.91 ₲90.9K
$47.94 Q 365
-68.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.92 ₲151.9K
$32.69 Q 249
-23.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.54 ₲15.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.93 ₲30.1K
$7.39 Q 56.3
-33.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$31.72 ₲193.3K
$244 Q 1,859
-87.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,230 ₲19.7M
$5,720 Q 43.6K
-43.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.25 ₲300.1K
$49.21 Q 375
0.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.91 ₲188.4K
$54.1 Q 412
-42.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.4 ₲447.5K
$112 Q 850
-34.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.3 ₲312.4K
$124 Q 946
-58.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$211 Q 1,606
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$287 ₲1.8M
$401 Q 3,056
-28.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$187 ₲1.1M
$376 Q 2,868
-50.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$149 ₲910.8K
$260 Q 1,981
-42.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$541 ₲3.3M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
7.69
32.25%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Villarrica: May 31, 2026

Last update for Quetzaltenango: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $15.00 in Villarrica versus $34.00 in Quetzaltenango. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $138 vs $239 – making Villarrica the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Villarrica vs Quetzaltenango: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Villarrica or Quetzaltenango?
Quetzaltenango costs about 61% more than Villarrica, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Villarrica vs Quetzaltenango?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,022 per month in Villarrica and $1,647 in Quetzaltenango. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Villarrica compared to Quetzaltenango?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $681 in Villarrica and $1,098 in Quetzaltenango. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Villarrica and Quetzaltenango?
Kindergarten costs $31.72 per month in Villarrica and $244 in Quetzaltenango. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Villarrica or Quetzaltenango?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $681 in Villarrica and $1,098 in Quetzaltenango, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Villarrica – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Villarrica compared to Quetzaltenango?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Villarrica or Quetzaltenango?
If budget matters most, go with Villarrica. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Quetzaltenango makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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