Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 60% cheaper than in Havana (Cuba)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,862 prices entered by 237 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 77% | |||
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Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 77% cheaper than in Havana (Cuba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Havana | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 50 (9 CUC) | 75 CUC | - 88% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 38 (7 CUC) | 23 CUC | - 71% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 13 (2.30 CUC) | 11 CUC | - 78% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.79 (1.02 CUC) | 4.45 CUC | - 77% | |
12 eggs, large | R$ 15 (2.64 CUC) | 14 CUC | - 81% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 10 (1.73 CUC) | 2.85 CUC | - 39% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 30 (5.26 CUC) | 14 CUC | - 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 14 (2.45 CUC) | 9 CUC | - 72% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 8 (1.41 CUC) | 6 CUC | - 77% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 7 (1.16 CUC) | 1.63 CUC | - 28% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 54 (10 CUC) | 13 CUC | - 27% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 11 (1.87 CUC) | 6 CUC | - 70% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 5.10 (0.90 CUC) | 3.04 CUC | - 70% | |
Housing | - 50% | |||
Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is 50% cheaper than in Havana (Cuba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Havana | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 6,221 (1,100 CUC) | 754 CUC | + 46% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 4,316 (763 CUC) | 2,949 CUC | - 74% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 609 (108 CUC) | 190 CUC | - 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,665 (825 CUC) | 645 CUC | + 28% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 3,032 (536 CUC) | 1,700 CUC | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 443 (78 CUC) | 218 CUC | - 64% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 89 (16 CUC) | 48 CUC | - 67% | |
40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,809 (320 CUC) | 446 CUC | - 28% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 705 (125 CUC) | 183 CUC | - 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 28 (4.96 CUC) | 10 CUC | - 50% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 25 (4.35 CUC) | 60 CUC | - 93% | |
Clothes | + 8% | |||
Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 8% more expensive than in Havana (Cuba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Havana | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 302 (53 CUC) | 61 CUC | - 12% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 312 (55 CUC) | 38 CUC | + 45% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 498 (88 CUC) | 89 CUC | - 1% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 380 (67 CUC) | 117 CUC | - 43% | |
Transportation | - 64% | |||
Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 64% cheaper than in Havana (Cuba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Havana | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 127,508 (22,544 CUC) | 66,444 CUC | - 66% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.88 (1.04 CUC) | 1.72 CUC | - 40% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 293 (52 CUC) | 150 CUC | - 65% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 46 (8 CUC) | 28 CUC | - 71% | |
Personal Care | - 51% | |||
Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 51% cheaper than in Havana (Cuba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Havana | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 26 (4.56 CUC) | 9 CUC | - 48% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 49 (9 CUC) | 32 CUC | - 73% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 349 (62 CUC) | 63 CUC | - 2% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 17 (3.06 CUC) | 12 CUC | - 75% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 (2.55 CUC) | 5.18 CUC | - 51% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 23 (4.05 CUC) | 5.82 CUC | - 30% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 (1.41 CUC) | 2.51 CUC | - 44% | |
Tube of toothpaste | R$ 4.97 (0.88 CUC) | 3.17 CUC | - 72% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 78 (14 CUC) | 44 CUC | - 69% | |
Entertainment | - 32% | |||
Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 32% cheaper than in Havana (Cuba) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Havana | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 139 (25 CUC) | 41 CUC | - 40% | |
2 tickets to the movies | R$ 72 (13 CUC) | 20 CUC | - 36% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 419 (74 CUC) | 62 CUC | + 20% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 327 (58 CUC) | 51 CUC | + 14% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 39 (7 CUC) | 11 CUC | - 39% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 18 (3.14 CUC) | 4.03 CUC | - 22% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 13 (2.22 CUC) | 2.72 CUC | - 18% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,548 (627 CUC) | 715 CUC | - 12% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.67 (0.29 CUC) | 0.51 CUC | - 43% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 169 (30 CUC) | 51 CUC | - 41% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 12 (2.19 CUC) | 9 CUC | - 74% | |
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TOTAL | - 60% |

These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.17680
CUC
/
BRL
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 2,200 CUC in Havana you would need to make just about 874 CUC (R$ 4,941) in São Paulo.
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