Moving to United Kingdom from Guatemala

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Guatemala to United Kingdom? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Guatemala to United Kingdom, you would find that United Kingdom is 2.4 times more expensive than Guatemala overall. A GTQ571,522 salary in Guatemala would need to be roughly £88,136 in United Kingdom to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — London averages 60°F vs 77°F in Guatemala City, making it significantly cooler.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Guatemala and United Kingdom.

What does your salary buy?

GTQ571,522 £88,136

To maintain the same standard of living in United Kingdom

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 2.3 times more

Groceries

pay 1.9% more

Transportation

pay 3.1 times more

Housing

pay 2.3 times more

Childcare

pay 5.0 times more

Entertainment and Sports

pay 2.2 times more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 GTQ = 0.0976 GBP (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

Get free moving quotes to United Kingdom

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Guatemala to United Kingdom.

Living there in 2020
963 ↑ 13% vs 2015

people born in Guatemala live in United Kingdom · UN DESA

Who's moving to United Kingdom?

Top countries of origin for United Kingdom's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in United Kingdom compared to Guatemala.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GT
20.0
GB
1.0
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GT
12.6
GB
2.4

United Kingdom performs significantly better than Guatemala across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GT
$935
GB
$6,606
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GT
12.8
GB
31.7

Guatemala generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GT
40.0
GB
13.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GT
1.1t
GB
4.2t

Guatemala generally does better on environment, though United Kingdom leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GT
3.7
GB
41.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GT
5.7%
GB
14.3%

United Kingdom generally does better on infrastructure, though Guatemala leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GT
2.7%
GB
4.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GT
$12,700
GB
$54,100

Guatemala generally does better on employment & economy, though United Kingdom leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GT
72.9 yrs
GB
81.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GT
26.2
GB
3.8

United Kingdom performs significantly better than Guatemala across all family life metrics.

Data: Superintendence of the Tax Administration, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Guatemala City Rain: 46.7 in/yr (1186 mm)
77° / 58°F

Avg. annual high / low

London Rain: 22.0 in/yr (558 mm)
60° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Guatemala City London
Jan–Mar 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 49°/38°F (9°/3°C)
Apr–Jun 80°/61°F (27°/16°C) 64°/48°F (18°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/60°F (25°/16°C) 72°/56°F (22°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 74°/58°F (24°/14°C) 53°/43°F (12°/6°C)
View all months
Month Guatemala City London
Jan 75°/53°F (23.8°/11.5°C) 47°/38°F (8.1°/3.1°C)
Feb 77°/55°F (25.2°/12.9°C) 47°/37°F (8.6°/2.7°C)
Mar 80°/57°F (26.6°/14.0°C) 53°/40°F (11.6°/4.6°C)
Apr 82°/60°F (27.5°/15.4°C) 58°/43°F (14.6°/5.9°C)
May 81°/61°F (27.1°/16.2°C) 65°/48°F (18.1°/8.9°C)
Jun 78°/61°F (25.3°/16.2°C) 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C)
Jul 76°/60°F (24.5°/15.8°C) 74°/57°F (23.4°/13.7°C)
Aug 77°/60°F (25.0°/15.8°C) 74°/57°F (23.1°/13.8°C)
Sep 76°/60°F (24.4°/15.8°C) 68°/53°F (20.0°/11.4°C)
Oct 75°/60°F (24.1°/15.4°C) 60°/48°F (15.5°/8.8°C)
Nov 74°/57°F (23.4°/14.0°C) 52°/42°F (11.3°/5.8°C)
Dec 74°/56°F (23.4°/13.1°C) 47°/38°F (8.4°/3.4°C)

Data: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH), Met Office Met Office

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Guatemala and United Kingdom. To live, work, or study long-term in United Kingdom, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check United Kingdom's immigration authority.

Guatemala passport

Guatemala passport holder visiting United Kingdom

Electronic Travel Authorisation
Guatemala passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter United Kingdom.
United Kingdom passport

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Guatemala

Visa Free
United Kingdom passport holders can enter Guatemala without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in United Kingdom than Guatemala?

On average United Kingdom is around 58% pricier than Guatemala, with notable variation by city.

How much money do I need to move to United Kingdom?

Budget about £22,034 for 3 months in United Kingdom (based on a GTQ571,522 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from United Kingdom?

Connectivity is usually fine (United Kingdom: 41.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does United Kingdom offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is United Kingdom safe for expats?

United Kingdom performs significantly better than Guatemala across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in United Kingdom is 1.0 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.0 in Guatemala.

How is healthcare in United Kingdom compared to Guatemala?

Guatemala generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 31.7 doctors per 10,000 people in United Kingdom, compared to 12.8 in Guatemala. United Kingdom scores 88 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Guatemala: 59).

What's the weather like in United Kingdom compared to Guatemala?

The average high temperature in London is 60°F, compared to 77°F in Guatemala City. London receives around 22.0 in of rainfall per year, while Guatemala City gets 46.7 in.

What language do they speak in United Kingdom?

The official language in United Kingdom is English. In Guatemala, the official language is Spanish.

Share this

At a Glance

GT GB
Population 17,703,190 67,791,400
Currency Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) British Pound Sterling (£)
Languages Spanish English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +502 +44
Time zones 1 9
Emergency number 110 999