Guatemala vs Mexico
Mexico costs roughly 7% less than Guatemala. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Mexico is approximately 7% less expensive than Guatemala based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mexico a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mexico has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 46.6, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Mexico is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Guatemala
Guatemala works for budget-focused retirees willing to trade safety for savings, not for anyone prioritizing personal security. A Safety Index of 28.9 alongside a US Travel Advisory Level 3 puts it well below regional peers. Rent outside the city center averages just $534.19/mo, and the pensionado visa requires a minimum retirement income of $1,250/mo, with progressive 5-7% income tax sweetening the math further.
$1,425/mo
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About Mexico
Safety-sensitive retirees should pause: a 46.6 safety index and a significant safety index gap may signal real risk. But budget-conscious Americans willing to navigate that tradeoff get low rent (a one-bedroom city-center apartment averages $659.65\/mo), a large expat network, and an easy $3,738/mo income visa path to permanent residency.
$1,638/mo
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Guatemala | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 89.4 | 126.3 +36.9 |
| Healthcare Index | 37.4 | 72.5 +35.1 |
| Safety Index | 28.9 | 46.6 +17.7 |
| Cost of Living Index | 36.8 | 34.5 +2.3 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $760.5 | $701.9 +58.6 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,811.6 | $2,604.9 +206.7 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $814.44 | $659.65 +154.79 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $534.19 | $430.55 +103.64 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,647.57 | $1,227.82 +419.75 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $921.56 | $816.48 +105.08 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 141.71 Mbps | 174.1 Mbps +32.4 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Mexico. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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