Cost Of Living For a Student in Guyana 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: GYD
Average monthly spending for students in Guyana
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Guyana?
Students in Guyana spend around 88,000 GYD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 13,000 GYD or as high as 590,000 GYD. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
How do students spend their money in Guyana?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $15 3,200 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $100 21,000 GYD |
| HIGH | $670 140,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
Students in Guyana typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 21,000 GYD with expenditure ranging from 3,200 GYD to 140,000 GYD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.5 530 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $17 3,500 GYD |
| HIGH | $110 23,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Guyana ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,500 GYD with 530 GYD and 23,000 GYD being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.4 930 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $29 6,100 GYD |
| HIGH | $200 41,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 930 GYD to 41,000 GYD in a month on commuting with 6,100 GYD being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $13 2,700 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $84 18,000 GYD |
| HIGH | $560 120,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Guyana is 18,000 GYD. The cost of groceries can range between 2,700 GYD to 120,000 GYD. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.8 800 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $25 5,300 GYD |
| HIGH | $170 35,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
Students in Guyana allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 800 GYD to 35,000 GYD with 5,300 GYD being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $3.2 660 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $21 4,400 GYD |
| HIGH | $140 29,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 660 GYD to 29,000 GYD with 4,400 GYD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $12 2,500 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $80 17,000 GYD |
| HIGH | $530 110,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 17,000 GYD per month with 2,500 GYD being the minimum spent amount and 110,000 GYD being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $9.5 2,000 GYD |
| AVERAGE | $63 13,000 GYD |
| HIGH | $420 88,000 GYD |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Guyana
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Guyana?
Around 55% of surveyed students think that living in Guyana is affordable with proper budgeting while 45% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy50%
We asked student guardians and parents in Guyana whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 50% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 50% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 47% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 53% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance47%
Easily manages finances53%
Prices and cost of goods and services in Guyana
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 590 GYD | 880 GYD | 1,800 GYD |
Fine dining meal for one
| 1,200 GYD | 1,800 GYD | 7,000 GYD |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 880 GYD | 1,200 GYD | 2,300 GYD |
Average car 1-day rental
| 880 GYD | 1,200 GYD | 1,800 GYD |
Average car price
| 440,000 GYD | 880,000 GYD | 1.2M GYD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 1,200 GYD | 1,800 GYD | 3,500 GYD |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 530 GYD | 3,500 GYD | 23,000 GYD |
Internet and cable
| 880 GYD | 1,800 GYD | 2,300 GYD |
Mobile phone charges
| 700 GYD | 1,200 GYD | 3,500 GYD |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 1,400 GYD | 1,800 GYD | 3,500 GYD |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,000 GYD | 1,500 GYD | 2,200 GYD |
Woman dress
| 980 GYD | 1,400 GYD | 4,400 GYD |
Woman shoes
| 930 GYD | 1,300 GYD | 2,900 GYD |
Men's shoes
| 800 GYD | 980 GYD | 2,000 GYD |
Men suit
| 880 GYD | 1,100 GYD | 5,900 GYD |
Regular t-shirt
| 440 GYD | 590 GYD | 1,800 GYD |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 15,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD | 59,000 GYD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 22,000 GYD | 35,000 GYD | 88,000 GYD |
2-bedroom apartment
| 29,000 GYD | 44,000 GYD | 120,000 GYD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 2.9M GYD | 4.4M GYD | 8.8M GYD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 3.5M GYD | 5.9M GYD | 22M GYD |
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 18,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD | 29,000 GYD |
Double Bed
| 12,000 GYD | 18,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD |
Single Bed
| 10,000 GYD | 14,000 GYD | 18,000 GYD |
Living Room
| 20,000 GYD | 25,000 GYD | 88,000 GYD |
Dining Table
| 8,800 GYD | 12,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD |
Sofa or Couch
| 12,000 GYD | 16,000 GYD | 35,000 GYD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 12,000 GYD | 18,000 GYD | 35,000 GYD |
Fridge or Freezer
| 10,000 GYD | 16,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD |
Washing Machine
| 14,000 GYD | 20,000 GYD | 35,000 GYD |
Stove or Cooker
| 13,000 GYD | 16,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD |
Mobile Phone
| 15,000 GYD | 18,000 GYD | 25,000 GYD |
Laptop or Computer
| 16,000 GYD | 20,000 GYD | 35,000 GYD |
Low-cost alternatives in Guyana
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options56%
Few low-cost options44%
Based on the survey, 56% of the students living in Guyana have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Guyana
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Guyana
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 530 GYD | 3,500 GYD | 23,000 GYD |
Internet and cable cost
| 880 GYD | 1,800 GYD | 2,300 GYD |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 700 GYD | 1,200 GYD | 3,500 GYD |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 3,500 GYD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 880 GYD to 2,300 GYD with 1,800 GYD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,200 GYD but can range between 700 GYD and 3,500 GYD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Guyana is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes53%
No47%
Based on the survey, 47% of the students living in Guyana said that they don't have an emergency fund while 53% said that they do.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Guyana
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Guyana
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Guyana is approximatly 350 GYD with meal cost ranging from 180 GYD to 590 GYD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 590 GYD | 880 GYD | 1,800 GYD |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 590 GYD and 1,800 GYD with 880 GYD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Guyana.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 1,200 GYD | 1,800 GYD | 7,000 GYD |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,200 GYD to 7,000 GYD with the average cost being 1,800 GYD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Guyana.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Guyana is around 230 GYD. Price ranges between 150 GYD and 350 GYD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Guyana is 140 GYD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 180 GYD and the minimum being 120 GYD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 120 GYD on average with 88 GYD and 180 GYD being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Guyana is between 200 GYD and 370 GYD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 260 GYD.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 350 GYD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Guyana costs around 130 GYD on average with prices rangeing between 95 GYD and 180 GYD depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 35 GYD to 88 GYD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 82 GYD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 2,700 GYD to 120,000 GYD with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Guyana
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Guyana
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 15,000 GYD | 22,000 GYD | 59,000 GYD |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 22,000 GYD | 35,000 GYD | 88,000 GYD |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 29,000 GYD | 44,000 GYD | 120,000 GYD |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 35,000 GYD | 59,000 GYD | 160,000 GYD |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 70,000 GYD | 180,000 GYD | 350,000 GYD |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 59,000 GYD | 88,000 GYD | 250,000 GYD |
House monthly rent cost
| 70,000 GYD | 180,000 GYD | 350,000 GYD |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 88,000 GYD | 220,000 GYD | 350,000 GYD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Guyana ranges between 15,000 GYD and 59,000 GYD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 22,000 GYD to 88,000 GYD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 29,000 GYD and 120,000 GYD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 35,000 GYD to 160,000 GYD. The average rent of a townhouse in Guyana is around 88,000 GYD while house rental costs can be as high as 180,000 GYD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 88,000 GYD to 350,000 GYD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Guyana
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 2.9M GYD | 4.4M GYD | 8.8M GYD |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 3.5M GYD | 5.9M GYD | 22M GYD |
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
| $94,000 | $140,000 | $420,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 29M GYD | 180M GYD | 250M GYD |
Villa price
| 35M GYD | 200M GYD | 290M GYD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Guyana can range from 2.9M GYD to 8.8M GYD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 3.5M GYD to 22M GYD. A villa can cost you 200M GYD on average with prices ranging from 35M GYD to 290M GYD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Guyana will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 31 | x86 monthly income | 191 |
Property prices in Guyana can be x86 to x191 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x86 multiples of the average monthly salary in Guyana.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Guyana is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
27% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 270 GYD | 3,400 GYD | 34,000 GYD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
