Cost of living in Cuba compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 262% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cuba is 262% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cuba | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46 CUC (329元) | 42元 | + 680% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 18 CUC (131元) | 39元 | + 238% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 6 CUC (47元) | 14元 | + 225% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4.73 CUC (34元) | 14元 | + 145% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11 CUC (81元) | 16元 | + 421% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.64 CUC (19元) | 10元 | + 84% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 9 CUC (68元) | 50元 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 9 CUC (62元) | 16元 | + 285% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.61 CUC (41元) | 6元 | + 526% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.51 CUC (11元) | 6元 | + 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 24 CUC (172元) | 89元 | + 94% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 6 CUC (46元) | 8元 | + 451% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.55 CUC (18元) | 13元 | + 47% | |
| Housing | + 54% | |||
| Housing in Cuba is 54% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cuba | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,452 CUC (10,480元) | 12,713元 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 3,088 CUC (22,295元) | 5,917元 | + 277% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 614 CUC (4,436元) | 450元 | + 887% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 549 CUC (3,961元) | 6,564元 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 350 CUC (2,527元) | 3,518元 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 317 CUC (2,291元) | 296元 | + 674% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 25 CUC (180元) | 100元 | + 81% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 403 CUC (2,909元) | 1,460元 | + 99% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 170 CUC (1,231元) | 553元 | + 123% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 11 CUC (80元) | 43元 | + 86% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 12 CUC (86元) | 55元 | + 55% | |
| Clothes | - 39% | |||
| Clothes in Cuba is 39% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cuba | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 36 CUC (257元) | 418元 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22 CUC (155元) | 302元 | - 49% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 73 CUC (524元) | 553元 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 56 CUC (405元) | 705元 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | + 41% | |||
| Transportation in Cuba is 41% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cuba | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 39,102 CUC (282,313元) | 148,726元 | + 90% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.36 CUC (10元) | 8元 | + 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 41 CUC (299元) | 228元 | + 31% | |
| Personal Care | - 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Cuba is 21% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cuba | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2.95 CUC (21元) | 42元 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 59元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 114元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 9 CUC (65元) | 67元 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.73 CUC (27元) | 57元 | - 53% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.01 CUC (36元) | 25元 | + 45% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1.90 CUC (14元) | 6元 | + 122% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.12 CUC (15元) | 13元 | + 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 6.00 CUC (43元) | 85元 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | + 55% | |||
| Entertainment in Cuba is 55% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cuba | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30 CUC (217元) | 178元 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 105元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42 CUC (304元) | 320元 | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 6.00 CUC (43元) | 81元 | - 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2.07 CUC (15元) | 28元 | - 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.00 CUC (14元) | 19元 | - 24% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 250 CUC (1,805元) | 3,924元 | - 54% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.65 CUC (4.68元) | 0.34元 | + 1296% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 40 CUC (289元) | 412元 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3.54 CUC (26元) | 25元 | + 3% | |
| TOTAL | + 75% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,101 prices entered by 142 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
7.220
CNY
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 75% more expensive than in China
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