🙂A single person spends $691 per month in Villarrica vs $1,110 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $866 per month in Villarrica vs $1,453 in Quetzaltenango, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,040 per month in Villarrica vs $1,797 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 – Villarrica48% lower, Quetzaltenango17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.68₲22.2K
$3.95Q 30.12
-6.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.01₲90.5K
$34.24Q 261
-56.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.62₲27.9K
$6.02Q 45.92
-23.26%
Cappuccino
$1.24₲7,480
$2.48Q 18.88
-50.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61₲3,696
$0.49Q 3.70
24.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40₲2,389
$0.48Q 3.63
-16.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.05₲6,331
$1.37Q 10.43
-23.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97₲5,876
$2.06Q 15.67
-52.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86₲5,176
$1.83Q 13.93
-53.01%
White Bread(500g)
$0.80₲4,851
$2.63Q 20.03
-69.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.91₲5,473
$2.04Q 15.59
-55.39%
Eggs
$1.65₲9,959
$2.20Q 16.75
-25.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.59₲33.7K
$7.96Q 60.7
-29.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.93₲17.7K
$6.36Q 48.45
-53.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.35₲38.3K
$9.23Q 70.3
-31.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.02₲12.2K
$2.37Q 18.07
-14.77%
Banana(1kg)
$0.74₲4,460
$1.50Q 11.47
-50.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.65₲3,915
$3.01Q 22.95
-78.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.71₲10.3K
$1.02Q 7.79
67.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.01₲6,106
$1.69Q 12.91
-40.24%
Onion(1kg)
$0.63₲3,791
$1.97Q 15.02
-68.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.60₲3,603
$0.71Q 5.40
-15.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53₲3,188
$1.19Q 9.08
-55.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.90₲5,448
$3.24Q 24.70
-72.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.47₲51.1K
$8.26Q 63.0
2.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.47₲2,825
$1.68Q 12.83
-72.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40₲8,460
$2.42Q 18.41
-42.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Q 2.07
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.65₲3,926
$3.69Q 28.16
-82.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74₲4,485
$0.64Q 4.88
15.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.87₲23.4K
$6.48Q 49.39
-40.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83₲5,031
$0.95Q 7.21
-12.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.5K₲87.8M
$15.6KQ 119.3K
-7.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K₲144.8M
$22.1KQ 168.5K
8.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$23.05₲139.0K
$81.3Q 620
-71.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.92₲84.0K
$12.93Q 98.6
7.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.90₲89.9K
$47.81Q 364
-68.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.39₲147.1K
$32.68Q 249
-25.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.46₲14.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.09₲30.7K
$7.30Q 55.7
-30.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$31.36₲189.2K
$242Q 1,846
-87.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,312₲20.0M
$5,794Q 44.2K
-42.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.74₲300.0K
$51.0Q 389
-2.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.73₲185.4K
$52.8Q 402
-41.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.7₲438.7K
$110Q 841
-34.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.9₲318.9K
$121Q 926
-56.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$217Q 1,653
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$284₲1.7M
$407Q 3,101
-30.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$187₲1.1M
$379Q 2,887
-50.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150₲907.0K
$252Q 1,919
-40.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Villarrica
Quetzaltenango
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$535₲3.2M
-
-
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: July 12, 2026
Last update for Quetzaltenango: July 13, 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 and in Quetzaltenango?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,036 per month in Villarrica and $1,665 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 $691 in Villarrica and $1,110 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 $31.36 per month in Villarrica and $242 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 in Quetzaltenango?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $691 in Villarrica and $1,110 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 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