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We constantly update this blog post so the rent figures for Guatemala in 2026 stay useful for buyers, landlords and investors.
Guatemala’s rental market is strongest in Guatemala City, where secure modern apartments attract local professionals, families, students, expats and corporate tenants.
The numbers below focus on residential rentals, and we keep the estimates simple because asking rents in Guatemala can change a lot by zone, security level and furniture.
And if you’re planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Guatemala.
What are typical rents in Guatemala as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Guatemala is about Q3,200, which is roughly US$420 or €390 in the main formal rental market.
Most studios in Guatemala rent from about Q2,300 to Q5,500 per month, or roughly US$300 to US$720 and €280 to €670, depending on the zone and finish.
The biggest reason for this spread is that a simple studio in Zona 1, Zona 4 or Mixco is very different from a furnished studio in Zona 10, Zona 14, Zona 15 or near Cayalá.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Guatemala is about Q4,800, which is around US$630 or €580.
Most 1-bedroom apartments in Guatemala rent from Q3,600 to Q6,500 per month, or about US$470 to US$850 and €440 to €790.
The cheapest 1-bedroom rents are usually in older parts of Zona 1, Zona 4, Mixco and secondary cities, while the highest rents are usually in Zona 10, Zona 14, Zona 15, Zona 16 and Cayalá.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Guatemala is about Q7,200, which is roughly US$940 or €870.
Most 2-bedroom apartments in Guatemala rent from Q5,200 to Q12,500 per month, or about US$680 to US$1,640 and €630 to €1,510.
The cheapest 2-bedroom rents are usually in older buildings, Mixco, San Cristóbal and secondary cities, while the most expensive rents are in Zona 14, Zona 10, Zona 15, Zona 16, Cayalá and premium Carretera a El Salvador compounds.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Guatemala.
What's the average rent per square meter in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average rent per square meter in Guatemala is about Q70 per m² per month, which is roughly US$9 or €8.50 per m².
Across Guatemala neighborhoods, a realistic range is Q45 to Q110 per m² per month, or about US$6 to US$14 and €5.50 to €13 per m².
Guatemala City is more expensive per square meter than Quetzaltenango, Escuintla and most smaller cities, while Antigua Guatemala can match or exceed the capital for furnished expat apartments.
In Guatemala, rent per square meter rises above average when the apartment has strong security, parking, a good view, modern finishes, furniture, a generator, backup water and access to Zona 10, Zona 14, Zona 15 or Cayalá.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Guatemala in 2026?
As of 2026, average formal apartment rents in Guatemala are up about 4% to 6% year over year.
This rent growth is mainly driven by demand for secure buildings, remittance-supported household spending, new-build pricing, and furnished or dollar-denominated expat stock.
Compared with 2025, rent growth in Guatemala in 2026 looks steadier and more selective, because prime secure apartments are rising faster than older and less secure stock.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Guatemala in 2026?
As of 2026, rent growth in Guatemala is likely to finish the year around 4% to 7% for well-located formal apartments.
The main support comes from resilient urban demand, remittances, security-driven housing choices, and continued interest in furnished apartments from expats, NGOs and corporate tenants.
The strongest rent growth in Guatemala should be in Zona 10, Zona 14, Zona 15, Zona 16, Cayalá, Antigua Guatemala and secure areas along Carretera a El Salvador.
The main risks are a weaker quetzal, slower remittances, lower expat demand, overpricing by landlords, or too much new premium supply in the same small set of high-end zones.
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Which neighborhoods rent best in Guatemala as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, the top three high-rent areas in Guatemala are Zona 14 at about Q9,500 per month, Zona 10 at about Q9,000 per month, and Zona 16 or Cayalá at about Q10,500 per month for strong 2-bedroom stock, equal to roughly US$1,250, US$1,180 and US$1,380, or €1,150, €1,090 and €1,270.
These Guatemala City zones command premium rents because they combine security, newer buildings, parking, cafés, schools, offices, shopping and a much stronger sense of daily convenience.
The typical tenants in these high-rent Guatemala neighborhoods are corporate workers, expat families, diplomats, NGO staff, affluent local families and young couples who pay more to feel safe and close to services.
By the way, we’ve written a blog article detailing Sources and methodology: we ranked premium zones using Encuentra24 Zona 14, Encuentra24 Zona 10 and Realtor.com International. We focused on recurring 2-bedroom prices rather than rare luxury listings. We also compared our internal zone scores for security, amenities and tenant depth.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Guatemala right now?
The top three Guatemala neighborhoods for young professionals are Zona 10, Zona 4 and Zona 15, because these areas balance jobs, cafés, nightlife, coworking, universities and modern apartments.
Young professionals in these Guatemala City areas usually pay about Q3,800 to Q7,000 per month, or roughly US$500 to US$920 and €460 to €850, for studios and 1-bedroom apartments.
What attracts young professionals in Guatemala is simple: secure buildings, parking, gyms, coworking rooms, walkable cafés, quick access to offices, and shorter daily commutes.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Guatemala.
Where do families prefer to rent in Guatemala right now?
The top three family rental areas in Guatemala are Zona 14, Zona 15 and Zona 16 or Cayalá, with Santa Catarina Pinula and Carretera a El Salvador also strong for secure family living.
Families in these Guatemala areas usually pay about Q7,000 to Q14,000 per month, or roughly US$920 to US$1,840 and €850 to €1,690, for 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments or townhouses.
Families choose these Guatemala neighborhoods because they offer security, parking, larger layouts, schools, supermarkets, medical access, playgrounds and a quieter residential feel.
Well-known education options near these areas include Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Universidad Rafael Landívar, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Colegio Americano de Guatemala and several bilingual private schools around Zona 15 and Carretera a El Salvador.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Guatemala in 2026?
As of 2026, the fastest-renting transit or university areas in Guatemala are Zona 4 and Zona 1 near Transmetro corridors, Zona 15 near major universities, and Zona 10 or Zona 13 for central office access.
Correctly priced rentals in these high-demand Guatemala areas usually stay listed for about 20 to 40 days, while overpriced or larger units take longer.
A rental within easy reach of Transmetro, offices or universities in Guatemala can earn a premium of about Q400 to Q1,200 per month, or roughly US$50 to US$160 and €50 to €145.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Guatemala right now?
The top three expat rental areas in Guatemala are Zona 10, Zona 14 and Zona 15, while Zona 16 or Cayalá and Antigua Guatemala are also very strong.
Expats in these Guatemala areas usually pay about Q5,500 to Q14,000 per month, or roughly US$720 to US$1,840 and €670 to €1,690, for furnished and secure apartments.
These neighborhoods attract expats because they offer English-friendly services, good restaurants, security, parking, elevators, reliable internet, furnished units and easier access to embassies, NGOs and international schools.
The most visible expat groups in these Guatemala rental areas include Americans, Canadians, Europeans, NGO workers, diplomats, remote workers, and regional professionals from Central America.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our Sources and methodology: we used dollar-priced listings from Realtor.com International, furnished listings on Encuentra24 Zona 10 and supply checks on Rentberry. We separated expat demand from normal local demand because expats often pay for turnkey comfort. We also used our own furnished-rental analysis.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Guatemala right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Guatemala?
The top three tenant profiles in Guatemala are local professionals and couples, families seeking secure housing, and expats or corporate tenants looking for furnished units.
In the formal Guatemala rental market, local professionals and couples represent about 40%, families about 35%, and expats, corporate tenants, students and NGO workers about 25%.
Local professionals usually want studios or 1-bedrooms, families usually want secure 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom units, and expats usually want furnished apartments with parking, internet and 24/7 security.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our Sources and methodology: we used household background from INE Censo 2018, demand context from Banco de Guatemala and listing patterns from Encuentra24. We treated these percentages as market estimates, not official census shares. We refined the profile split with our own tenant-demand model.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Guatemala?
In Guatemala, about 65% of long-term local tenants prefer unfurnished or semi-furnished rentals, while about 35% prefer furnished rentals.
A furnished apartment in Guatemala usually earns a premium of about Q500 to Q1,800 per month, or roughly US$65 to US$235 and €60 to €220, compared with a similar unfurnished apartment.
Furnished rentals in Guatemala are especially popular with expats, students, corporate tenants, NGO staff, remote workers and people who need a practical home quickly.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Guatemala?
The five amenities that increase rent the most in Guatemala are 24/7 security, parking, furniture, a modern kitchen with línea blanca, and backup water or generator support.
In Guatemala, 24/7 security can add Q500 to Q1,500 per month, parking Q300 to Q800, furniture Q500 to Q1,800, línea blanca Q300 to Q900, and backup systems Q300 to Q1,000, or about US$40 to US$235 and €35 to €220 depending on the amenity.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Guatemala, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Guatemala?
The five renovations with the best ROI in Guatemala rentals are security upgrades, repainting, modern lighting, kitchen refreshes, bathroom refreshes and washer-dryer installation.
A practical renovation in Guatemala often costs Q5,000 to Q60,000, or about US$650 to US$7,900 and €600 to €7,250, and can add Q300 to Q1,500 per month when it makes the unit feel safer, cleaner and more modern.
Landlords in Guatemala should usually avoid over-personalized luxury finishes, fragile imported materials, very expensive smart-home systems and major layout changes unless the building and neighborhood clearly support higher rents.
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How strong is rental demand in Guatemala as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, the estimated vacancy rate for well-located formal apartments in Guatemala is about 5% to 7%.
Prime buildings in Zona 10, Zona 14, Zona 15 and Cayalá can sit closer to 4% to 6% vacancy, while overpriced, older or weaker stock can sit around 8% to 12%.
Compared with Guatemala’s normal market pattern, vacancy in 2026 looks slightly tighter for secure modern apartments and more normal for large or overpriced luxury units.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Guatemala.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, a correctly priced rental apartment in Guatemala usually stays listed for about 25 to 45 days.
Prime studios and 1-bedrooms in Zona 10, Zona 15 or Antigua can move in 20 to 35 days, while large, unfurnished or overpriced luxury units can take 45 to 75 days.
Compared with one year ago, days on market in Guatemala in 2026 look a little shorter for secure compact apartments and roughly unchanged for high-priced family units.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Guatemala?
The peak rental-demand months in Guatemala are usually January to March and June to August.
Demand rises in these months because job changes, school planning, university cycles, corporate moves and family relocations often happen around the start and middle of the year.
The slowest rental-demand months in Guatemala are often April, May, September and October, especially for large apartments that need a more specific tenant.
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What will my monthly costs be in Guatemala as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, a typical landlord in Guatemala should expect annual IUSI property tax of about Q7,200, or roughly US$940 and €870, on a property assessed at Q800,000.
A realistic annual property-tax range in Guatemala is about Q1,000 to Q15,000, or roughly US$130 to US$1,970 and €120 to €1,810, depending on cadastral value and municipality.
Property tax in Guatemala is usually calculated through IUSI bands on registered cadastral value, with higher-value urban properties often falling near the 0.9% annual rate.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Guatemala, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Guatemala right now?
In Guatemala, landlords most often pay or include building maintenance, security, trash and sometimes water, while tenants usually pay electricity and internet directly.
Typical landlord-paid costs in Guatemala are about Q500 to Q1,500 for maintenance and security, Q50 to Q150 for trash, and Q100 to Q300 for water, equal to roughly US$85 to US$260 or €80 to €240 in total.
The common practice in Guatemala is that long-term leases pass most utilities to tenants, while furnished expat rentals often bundle internet, maintenance and water but cap electricity.
How is rental income taxed in Guatemala as of 2026?
As of 2026, rental income in Guatemala is taxable, and many landlords should plan for about 5% to 7% income tax depending on the chosen regime, plus possible VAT or invoice obligations in some cases.
Main deductions in Guatemala can include eligible repairs, maintenance, administration, professional fees and other documented costs, but the exact treatment depends on whether the landlord uses the simplified or general tax regime.
Common Guatemala-specific mistakes include not issuing invoices when required, confusing rent with maintenance charges, ignoring VAT rules, using market value instead of cadastral value for IUSI, and failing to separate personal and rental expenses.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our Sources and methodology: we used SAT Guatemala, SAT tax laws and regulations and Muniguate Catastro. We kept the tax explanation practical because the correct regime depends on the landlord. We also used our own Guatemala landlord checklist to flag common mistakes.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Guatemala versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it’s in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Guatemala, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don’t throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we’ve listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why this source is reliable | How we used the source |
|---|---|---|
| Instituto Nacional de Estadística Guatemala, IPC | INE is Guatemala’s official statistics agency, so its inflation data is the best public anchor for price trends. | We used INE inflation to check whether our 2026 Guatemala rent-growth estimates were reasonable. We did not treat CPI as a bedroom-by-bedroom rent database. |
| INE Censo 2018 vivienda y hogares | The 2018 census is Guatemala’s official base source for housing, households and population structure. | We used the census to understand household structure and formal rental demand. We used it as background, not as live 2026 rent data. |
| Banco de Guatemala | Banco de Guatemala is the official source for macro data, remittances and exchange-rate context. | We used Banguat to check purchasing power and rent pressure in Guatemala. We also used it to make dollar-denominated rent comparisons more coherent. |
| IMF Guatemala Article IV | The IMF gives independent macroeconomic analysis based on official country data and policy review. | We used the IMF to cross-check the 2026 economic backdrop in Guatemala. We used it for demand context, not for exact rent levels. |
| World Bank Guatemala | The World Bank is a major multilateral source for long-term economic and development data. | We used the World Bank to frame urbanization, income and infrastructure limits in Guatemala. We did not use it for studio or 2-bedroom rent numbers. |
| SAT Guatemala | SAT is Guatemala’s national tax authority, so it is the main public source for tax compliance. | We used SAT to explain that rental income in Guatemala is taxable. We kept the explanation simple because every landlord’s tax setup can differ. |
| SAT tax laws and regulations | SAT’s legal-reference page is the official place to check Guatemala tax-law materials. | We used it to verify the income-tax framework behind rental income. We also used it to warn landlords about invoices, VAT and regime choices. |
| Municipalidad de Guatemala Catastro / IUSI | Muniguate administers property records and IUSI processes for Guatemala City. | We used Muniguate to explain how property-tax handling works in practice. We treated IUSI as a landlord cost, not as a rent-market driver. |
| Muniguate IUSI consultation | This is the municipality’s own page for checking IUSI information. | We used it to confirm that IUSI is checked through municipal channels. We then used IUSI rate bands to create simple landlord-cost examples. |
| Muniguate Transmetro | Muniguate’s Transmetro page is an official source on Guatemala City public transport corridors. | We used it to identify areas where transit access can support rental demand. We did not assume transit alone creates high rents. |
| Encuentra24 Guatemala City rentals | Encuentra24 is one of the largest live property portals in Central America. | We used Encuentra24 to sample asking rents by bedroom, zone and size. We adjusted for duplicate listings and inflated asking prices. |
| Encuentra24 Zona 10 rentals | This page gives live asking-rent evidence for one of Guatemala City’s most active apartment zones. | We used it to benchmark premium studio and 1-bedroom rents. We compared it with Realtor.com International so one portal did not dominate the estimate. |
| Encuentra24 Zona 14 rentals | This page gives current listing evidence in one of Guatemala City’s highest-rent residential zones. | We used it to estimate high-end family and expat apartment rents. We excluded isolated luxury outliers from the normal market average. |
| Realtor.com International Guatemala City rentals | Realtor.com International aggregates broker listings and helps cross-check dollar-denominated prices. | We used it to validate premium apartment rents in Guatemala City. We gave more weight to recurring prices than to unusual luxury listings. |
| Rentberry Guatemala City rentals | Rentberry provides searchable rental-listing data, filters and private-sector supply signals. | We used it as a secondary check on supply, furnished units, pet-friendly units and parking. We treated it as market evidence, not official data. |
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