Cost of Living in Quetzaltenango - Updated Prices & Insights

24.45

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $601 (excluding rent), and $1,099 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,450 (excluding rent), and $1,732 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.08 Q 31.34

$3.33 Q 25.55

$9.98 Q 76.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.84 Q 260

$97.4 Q 748

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.01 Q 46.2

$5.88 Q 45.2

$6.53 Q 50.2

Cappuccino

$2.47 Q 18.95

$1.93 Q 14.86

$5.15 Q 39.58

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 Q 3.93

$3.07 Q 23.56

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 Q 4.01

$2.05 Q 15.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.38 Q 10.59

$4.08 Q 31.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 Q 15.25

$6.47 Q 49.73

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 Q 14.06

$1.02 Q 7.81

$3.71 Q 28.51

White Bread (500g)

$2.55 Q 19.58

$2.29 Q 17.63

$9.55 Q 73.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.1 Q 16.15

$1.02 Q 7.8

$5.3 Q 40.72

Eggs

$2.25 Q 17.3

$1.47 Q 11.27

$5.32 Q 40.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.75 Q 59.6

$4.93 Q 37.9

$14.19 Q 109

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.52 Q 50.1

$4.68 Q 35.92

$10.52 Q 80.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.7 Q 74.5

$5.35 Q 41.07

$20.62 Q 158

Apples (1kg)

$2.43 Q 18.64

$1.91 Q 14.67

$4.86 Q 37.35

Banana (1kg)

$1.6 Q 12.27

$0.94 Q 7.2

$4.44 Q 34.11

Oranges (1kg)

$3.04 Q 23.36

$1.2 Q 9.19

$11.28 Q 86.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 Q 7.8

$0.79 Q 6.08

$2.14 Q 16.46

Potato (1kg)

$1.69 Q 13.02

$0.64 Q 4.89

$5.11 Q 39.29

Onion (1kg)

$1.96 Q 15.03

$0.69 Q 5.27

$3.94 Q 30.3

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.75 Q 5.73

$0.52 Q 3.98

$1.35 Q 10.34

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 Q 9.12

$0.64 Q 4.9

$1.92 Q 14.78

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.29 Q 25.3

$4.21 Q 32.36

Wine (Bottle)

$7.65 Q 58.8

$5.73 Q 44.05

$14.65 Q 113

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 Q 12.34

$1.02 Q 7.83

$3.19 Q 24.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 Q 18.99

$1.58 Q 12.12

$4.59 Q 35.27

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.25 Q 1.91

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.48 Q 26.76

$2.53 Q 19.46

$7.6 Q 58.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 Q 4.66

$0.38 Q 2.93

$1.65 Q 12.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.58 Q 50.6

$23.71 Q 182

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 Q 7.37

$0.73 Q 5.62

$1.2 Q 9.2

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$15.7K Q 120.9K

$15.5K Q 118.9K

$25.8K Q 198.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22K Q 169.3K

$25.7K Q 197.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$79.7 Q 612

$56.4 Q 433

$155 Q 1,194

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.08 Q 101

$43.55 Q 335

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.93 Q 376

$29.59 Q 227

$105 Q 808

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.83 Q 252

Cinema Ticket

$7.06 Q 54.2

$5.77 Q 44.35

$9.62 Q 73.9

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$246 Q 1,888

$118 Q 906

$328 Q 2,518

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,752 Q 44.2K

$4,655 Q 35.8K

$7,759 Q 59.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.63 Q 381

$32.33 Q 248

$77.6 Q 596

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.6 Q 412

$39.35 Q 302

$65.6 Q 504

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 Q 860

$65.9 Q 506

$171 Q 1,316

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 Q 949

$79.4 Q 610

$172 Q 1,321

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 Q 1,627

$122 Q 934

$386 Q 2,967

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$404 Q 3,102

$386 Q 2,968

$421 Q 3,237

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$387 Q 2,974

$373 Q 2,866

$395 Q 3,034

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$257 Q 1,972

$247 Q 1,901

$262 Q 2,012

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,013 Q 7,786

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$312 Q 2,397

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$482 Q 3,699

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.69

6.5

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

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Cost of Living in Quetzaltenango - Frequently Asked Questions

For many travelers and expats, Cost of Living in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala tends to feel approachable compared with Guatemala City or coastal hubs, while still offering reliable amenities like markets, cafes, and clinics. Digital nomads appreciate steady internet in shared workspaces and the option to find longer-term rentals in quieter residential areas. Seasonal shifts can nudge prices for short stays, but you can usually align housing with a comfortable budget by choosing a central but calm neighborhood and cooking some meals at home. Safety and convenience vary by district, so scout a few areas before committing. Tip: pair a few-week stay in different neighborhoods to gauge daily rhythms before deciding where to base yourself.

Daily life centers on a walkable core and a choice of markets and eateries. For housing, search both through local listings and short-term rental sites; you might start with a modest apartment near Centro or a quiet hillside colonia and then move if you want more space or sound insulation. Food options range from inexpensive street meals to markets with fresh produce and reliable bakeries; cooking at home lowers ongoing costs. Public buses and taxis cover most routes, while some neighborhoods are best explored on foot or with a bike. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala living cost can feel balanced when you mix meals out with home cooking and shared coworking. Tip: build a one-week trial plan to map transit times.

Quality of life in Quetzaltenango blends a cool, comfortable climate with a friendly pace and strong local services. A practical budgeting approach centers on balancing housing with daily needs: shelter in a calm neighborhood, regular markets for affordable produce, and occasional dining out. Consider how you will handle errands – some areas offer more walkable access to groceries, clinics, and coworking spaces than others. Seasonality affects outdoor plans and transport choices; the dry season typically brings clearer schedules, while rains can slow trips. To find the right fit, spend time in a few zones at different times of day and ask locals about safety and convenience. Tip: map your weekly routines to compare convenience and cost.