🙂A single person spends $970 per month in Villarrica vs $1,150 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,230 per month in Villarrica vs $1,444 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,491 per month in Villarrica vs $1,739 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.
🙂Villarrica is about 16% cheaper than Quetzaltenango, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Villarrica and Quetzaltenango are more affordable than the global median – Villarrica30% lower, Quetzaltenango17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.24₲42.8K
$6.67Q 50.9
8.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.44₲120.7K
$50.3Q 383
-59.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.57₲38.8K
$8.00Q 61.0
-17.87%
Cappuccino
$3.36₲19.8K
$3.33Q 25.42
0.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06₲6,277
$1.11Q 8.46
-4.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59₲3,454
$0.85Q 6.51
-30.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.42₲8,379
$3.25Q 24.79
-56.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29₲7,601
$4.84Q 36.89
-73.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14₲6,753
$2.10Q 15.99
-45.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.27₲7,470
$2.57Q 19.61
-50.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.35₲7,984
$2.05Q 15.65
-34.15%
Eggs
$2.04₲12.1K
$2.47Q 18.82
-17.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.13₲53.9K
$6.19Q 47.18
47.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.79₲22.4K
$8.04Q 61.3
-52.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.13₲59.8K
$13.22Q 101
-23.37%
Apples(1kg)
$2.95₲17.4K
$2.84Q 21.68
3.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21₲7,117
$1.70Q 12.98
-28.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.18₲6,986
$2.79Q 21.30
-57.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.42₲14.3K
$1.60Q 12.17
51.25%
Potato(1kg)
$1.35₲7,957
$1.52Q 11.60
-11.18%
Onion(1kg)
$0.81₲4,787
$2.19Q 16.70
-63.01%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.86₲5,055
$0.72Q 5.51
19.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69₲4,055
$1.15Q 8.77
-40.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.21₲7,147
$3.36Q 25.65
-63.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.10₲53.7K
$8.28Q 63.2
9.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.67₲3,927
$1.79Q 13.63
-62.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72₲10.2K
$2.59Q 19.78
-33.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.43₲8,415
$5.30Q 40.46
-73.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.51₲8,905
$1.68Q 12.85
-10.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.11₲30.1K
$10.54Q 80.4
-51.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16₲6,824
$1.24Q 9.43
-6.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.0K₲100.2M
$27.7KQ 211.5K
-38.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.5K₲203.5M
$25.6KQ 195.2K
34.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$29.81₲176.0K
$75.0Q 572
-60.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.26₲101.9K
$13.24Q 101
30.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.79₲128.6K
$45.17Q 345
-51.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.71₲193.1K
$32.36Q 247
1.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.47₲20.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.49₲50.1K
$6.53Q 49.82
30.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$41.98₲247.8K
$342Q 2,612
-87.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,836₲34.5M
$6,774Q 51.7K
-13.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.5₲374.9K
$47.47Q 362
33.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.4₲332.7K
$47.46Q 362
18.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104₲615.5K
$111Q 844
-5.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.2₲408.2K
$113Q 861
-38.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$398Q 3,034
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$383₲2.3M
$391Q 2,981
-2.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$254₲1.5M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204₲1.2M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$548₲3.2M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.15
11.62
-12.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Villarrica: September 8, 2026
Last update for Quetzaltenango: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Villarrica versus $50.0 in Quetzaltenango. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $196 vs $263 – 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 19% 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 and in Quetzaltenango?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,454 per month in Villarrica and $1,725 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 $970 in Villarrica and $1,150 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 in Quetzaltenango?
Kindergarten costs $41.98 per month in Villarrica and $342 in Quetzaltenango. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Villarrica or in Quetzaltenango?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Villarrica, where all-in costs run around $970, than in Quetzaltenango at $1,150. In Villarrica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Quetzaltenango it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
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 to 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.
Villarrica vs other spots: cost of living compared