Cost of living in Cuba compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 126% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cuba is 126% more expensive than in China | ||||
Cuba | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 24 CUC (165元) | 43元 | + 282% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 14 CUC (93元) | 37元 | + 151% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 6 CUC (41元) | 17元 | + 142% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2.77 CUC (19元) | 14元 | + 32% | |
12 eggs, large | 5.59 CUC (38元) | 16元 | + 131% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3.58 CUC (24元) | 9元 | + 177% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 12 CUC (81元) | 48元 | + 67% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 8 CUC (51元) | 13元 | + 301% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.12 CUC (35元) | 6元 | + 474% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3.80 CUC (26元) | 7元 | + 286% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 16 CUC (105元) | 97元 | + 9% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 4.78 CUC (33元) | 9元 | + 249% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.62 CUC (11元) | 13元 | - 17% | |
Housing | + 2% | |||
Housing in Cuba is about the same as in China | ||||
Cuba | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 893 CUC (6,071元) | 13,898元 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 659 CUC (4,478元) | 8,379元 | - 47% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 114 CUC (773元) | 462元 | + 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 645 CUC (4,384元) | 6,525元 | - 33% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 637 CUC (4,327元) | 4,376元 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 70 CUC (478元) | 516元 | - 7% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 93 CUC (635元) | 140元 | + 353% | |
40” flat screen tv | 474 CUC (3,225元) | 1,829元 | + 76% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 166 CUC (1,127元) | 546元 | + 106% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9 CUC (61元) | 50元 | + 21% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 9 CUC (62元) | 66元 | - 7% | |
Clothes | - 6% | |||
Clothes in Cuba is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
Cuba | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 66 CUC (448元) | 511元 | - 12% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 37 CUC (250元) | 288元 | - 13% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 150 CUC (1,022元) | 654元 | + 56% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 89 CUC (607元) | 844元 | - 28% | |
Transportation | + 63% | |||
Transportation in Cuba is 63% more expensive than in China | ||||
Cuba | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 42,734 CUC (290,476元) | 148,501元 | + 96% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.44 CUC (10元) | 8元 | + 19% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 51 CUC (346元) | 206元 | + 68% | |
Personal Care | + 73% | |||
Personal Care in Cuba is 73% more expensive than in China | ||||
Cuba | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 9 CUC (64元) | 28元 | + 127% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 21 CUC (140元) | 27元 | + 420% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 75 CUC (510元) | 386元 | + 32% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 8 CUC (53元) | 30元 | + 77% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 4.63 CUC (31元) | 19元 | + 62% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 12 CUC (83元) | 44元 | + 92% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.91 CUC (27元) | 21元 | + 26% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 4.20 CUC (29元) | 16元 | + 80% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 11 CUC (76元) | 82元 | - 7% | |
Entertainment | + 48% | |||
Entertainment in Cuba is 48% more expensive than in China | ||||
Cuba | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 35 CUC (238元) | 260元 | - 8% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 16 CUC (109元) | 122元 | - 11% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 61 CUC (414元) | 417元 | - 1% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 59 CUC (403元) | 319元 | + 26% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7 CUC (49元) | 90元 | - 46% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3.73 CUC (25元) | 31元 | - 18% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 5.04 CUC (34元) | 19元 | + 85% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 486 CUC (3,306元) | 2,968元 | + 11% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.73 CUC (4.95元) | 0.24元 | + 1928% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 38 CUC (261元) | 410元 | - 36% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.58 CUC (38元) | 38元 | + 1% | |
TOTAL | + 47% |

These prices were last updated on May 12, 2022.
Exchange rate:
6.797
CNY
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 47% more expensive than in China
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