Cost of living in Cuba compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cuba is 37% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 21 CUC (151元) | 45元 | + 232% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7 CUC (49元) | 34元 | + 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2.78 CUC (20元) | 15元 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2.10 CUC (15元) | 15元 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1.09 CUC (8元) | 13元 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1.44 CUC (10元) | 8元 | + 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2.63 CUC (18元) | 59元 | - 69% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.33 CUC (30元) | 15元 | + 103% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 1.75 CUC (12元) | 6.00元 | + 105% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.35 CUC (9元) | 5.17元 | + 84% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11 CUC (78元) | 112元 | - 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2.71 CUC (19元) | 8元 | + 138% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 0.83 CUC (5.85元) | 14元 | - 58% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in Cuba is 20% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 534 CUC (3,751元) | 9,398元 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 346 CUC (2,431元) | 4,943元 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 37 CUC (260元) | 431元 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 351 CUC (2,467元) | 5,740元 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 279 CUC (1,962元) | 3,007元 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 36 CUC (256元) | 285元 | - 10% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 60 CUC (421元) | 96元 | + 339% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 651 CUC (4,574元) | 2,464元 | + 86% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 169 CUC (1,188元) | 561元 | + 112% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 5.97 CUC (42元) | 38元 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5.00 CUC (35元) | 47元 | - 26% | |
| Clothes | - 33% | |||
| Clothes in Cuba is 33% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 42 CUC (292元) | 481元 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 24 CUC (169元) | 250元 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 75 CUC (529元) | 647元 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 54 CUC (377元) | 620元 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | + 67% | |||
| Transportation in Cuba is 67% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 49,243 CUC (346,141元) | 134,340元 | + 158% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.11 CUC (8元) | 7元 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 27 CUC (189元) | 149元 | + 27% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Cuba is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1.42 CUC (10元) | 37元 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 8 CUC (55元) | 45元 | + 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 55 CUC (385元) | 347元 | + 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3.56 CUC (25元) | 62元 | - 60% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 2.20 CUC (15元) | 47元 | - 67% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 4.69 CUC (33元) | 31元 | + 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1.53 CUC (11元) | 8元 | + 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1.41 CUC (10元) | 12元 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4.55 CUC (32元) | 71元 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in Cuba is 16% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 13 CUC (93元) | 177元 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 100元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,029元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 21 CUC (144元) | 395元 | - 64% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3.90 CUC (27元) | 68元 | - 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1.74 CUC (12元) | 33元 | - 63% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.15 CUC (15元) | 31元 | - 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 330 CUC (2,317元) | 3,256元 | - 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.35 CUC (2.46元) | 0.31元 | + 693% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 16 CUC (112元) | 335元 | - 66% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3.42 CUC (24元) | 22元 | + 10% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 4,550 prices entered by 435 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 24, 2020.
Exchange rate:
7.029
CNY
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 8% more expensive than in China
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