When I travel, one of my favorite things to do is go food shopping and compare prices. I love finding a good deal, so I usually have an idea of the prices back home and can tell what’s cheap in comparison. For instance, tomatoes in Guatemala cost about $0.25 a pound, so paying $1.99 for the same amount feels excessive. On the other hand, cheese is quite pricey, especially if it’s imported and of decent quality, and good cold cuts are also hard to find. So, when I’m abroad, I always look for cheese, ham, and chocolate. Guatemalan chocolate has a unique taste, but I haven’t found anything better than European chocolate.

Today, I want to share an interesting infographic that Anne from Money Propeller created. It compares the cost of the same basket of goods across North America. This basket includes essentials like eggs, bread, cheese, butter, and items like toothpaste and toilet paper. The prices range from $27.70 to $41.60, with Guatemala at $40.76. You might be surprised at how close Guatemala’s cost is to the higher end. The reason is that cheese, butter, and milk are expensive there. We rarely use butter or drink milk; I mostly use powdered milk for some recipes. Eating cheese is a rare treat. These items make up 44% of the total price, while other items are quite cheap. For example, bananas cost $0.12 per pound, and you can buy a whole watermelon for $0.60.

I wrote a post on Canadian Budget Binder about how I adjust my eating and shopping habits based on where I live, which helps cut food costs and allows me to enjoy local specialties. Here in Guatemala, that means a lot of guacamole, fresh fish, and fruits, but almost no dairy. That’s fine with me, as I can stock up on dairy on other occasions.

Check out the infographic below to compare the cost of a basket of goods across North America. Make sure to scroll down to the end, where Anne is offering a chance to win $250 in cash. There’s a widget at the end with tasks you can complete to enter. Good luck!