Cost of living in Cuba compared to Brazil
Currency:
Food | + 273% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cuba is 273% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
Cuba | Brazil | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46 CUC (R$ 253) | R$ 38 | + 562% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 18 CUC (R$ 101) | R$ 38 | + 167% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 6 CUC (R$ 36) | R$ 12 | + 192% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4.73 CUC (R$ 26) | R$ 5.63 | + 368% | |
12 eggs, large | 11 CUC (R$ 62) | R$ 13 | + 368% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.64 CUC (R$ 15) | R$ 8 | + 95% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 9 CUC (R$ 53) | R$ 27 | + 95% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 9 CUC (R$ 48) | R$ 13 | + 283% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.61 CUC (R$ 31) | R$ 6 | + 393% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.51 CUC (R$ 8) | R$ 7 | + 25% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 24 CUC (R$ 133) | R$ 49 | + 172% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 6 CUC (R$ 35) | R$ 10 | + 246% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.55 CUC (R$ 14) | R$ 4.49 | + 216% | |
Housing | + 135% | |||
Housing in Cuba is 135% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
Cuba | Brazil | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,452 CUC (R$ 8,073) | R$ 4,056 | + 99% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 3,088 CUC (R$ 17,175) | R$ 2,670 | + 543% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 614 CUC (R$ 3,417) | R$ 704 | + 386% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 549 CUC (R$ 3,051) | R$ 2,973 | + 3% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 350 CUC (R$ 1,947) | R$ 1,942 | + 0% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 317 CUC (R$ 1,765) | R$ 553 | + 219% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 25 CUC (R$ 139) | R$ 89 | + 55% | |
40” flat screen tv | 403 CUC (R$ 2,241) | R$ 1,854 | + 21% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 170 CUC (R$ 948) | R$ 638 | + 49% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 11 CUC (R$ 61) | R$ 33 | + 85% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 12 CUC (R$ 66) | R$ 22 | + 203% | |
Clothes | - 38% | |||
Clothes in Cuba is 38% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
Cuba | Brazil | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 36 CUC (R$ 198) | R$ 287 | - 31% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22 CUC (R$ 120) | R$ 270 | - 56% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 73 CUC (R$ 404) | R$ 415 | - 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 56 CUC (R$ 312) | R$ 330 | - 5% | |
Transportation | + 21% | |||
Transportation in Cuba is 21% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
Cuba | Brazil | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 39,102 CUC (R$ 217,482) | R$ 116,717 | + 86% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.80 CUC (R$ 10) | R$ 6 | + 61% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 41 CUC (R$ 231) | R$ 248 | - 7% | |
Personal Care | + 15% | |||
Personal Care in Cuba is 15% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
Cuba | Brazil | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2.95 CUC (R$ 16) | R$ 22 | - 25% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | R$ 51 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | R$ 303 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 9 CUC (R$ 50) | R$ 24 | + 111% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.73 CUC (R$ 21) | R$ 14 | + 52% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.01 CUC (R$ 28) | R$ 22 | + 28% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1.90 CUC (R$ 11) | R$ 8 | + 38% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 2.12 CUC (R$ 12) | R$ 5.76 | + 104% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 6.00 CUC (R$ 33) | R$ 61 | - 45% | |
Entertainment | + 35% | |||
Entertainment in Cuba is 35% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
Cuba | Brazil | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30 CUC (R$ 167) | R$ 114 | + 46% | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | R$ 61 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | R$ 237 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42 CUC (R$ 234) | R$ 237 | - 1% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 6.00 CUC (R$ 33) | R$ 32 | + 4% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2.07 CUC (R$ 12) | R$ 16 | - 30% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.00 CUC (R$ 11) | R$ 12 | - 8% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 250 CUC (R$ 1,390) | R$ 3,732 | - 63% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.65 CUC (R$ 3.60) | R$ 1.58 | + 129% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 40 CUC (R$ 222) | R$ 139 | + 60% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3.54 CUC (R$ 20) | R$ 15 | + 30% | |
TOTAL | + 86% |

These prices were last updated on July 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
5.562
BRL
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 86% more expensive than in Brazil
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