Cost of living in Cuba compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 150% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cuba is 150% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46 CUC (¥6,600) | ¥1,035 | + 538% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 18 CUC (¥2,619) | ¥840 | + 212% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 6 CUC (¥936) | ¥618 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4.73 CUC (¥686) | ¥237 | + 189% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11 CUC (¥1,626) | ¥335 | + 385% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2.64 CUC (¥382) | ¥439 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 9 CUC (¥1,371) | ¥1,195 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 9 CUC (¥1,252) | ¥822 | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.61 CUC (¥813) | ¥509 | + 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.51 CUC (¥218) | ¥303 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 24 CUC (¥3,457) | ¥1,267 | + 173% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 6 CUC (¥914) | ¥276 | + 231% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.55 CUC (¥369) | ¥293 | + 26% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| Housing in Cuba is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,452 CUC (¥210,221) | ¥365,082 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 3,088 CUC (¥447,227) | ¥201,500 | + 122% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 614 CUC (¥88,985) | ¥19,132 | + 365% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 549 CUC (¥79,453) | ¥145,654 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 350 CUC (¥50,689) | ¥102,459 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 317 CUC (¥45,951) | ¥8,349 | + 450% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 25 CUC (¥3,621) | ¥4,448 | - 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 403 CUC (¥58,359) | ¥74,559 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 170 CUC (¥24,691) | ¥25,414 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 11 CUC (¥1,598) | ¥1,338 | + 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 12 CUC (¥1,727) | ¥2,815 | - 39% | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Cuba is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 36 CUC (¥5,150) | ¥9,315 | - 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 22 CUC (¥3,114) | ¥5,103 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 73 CUC (¥10,519) | ¥9,892 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 56 CUC (¥8,121) | ¥12,189 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Cuba is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 39,102 CUC (¥5,663,001) | ¥3,060,780 | + 85% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.36 CUC (¥198) | ¥169 | + 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 41 CUC (¥6,006) | ¥8,198 | - 27% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Cuba is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2.95 CUC (¥427) | ¥2,133 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥2,551 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 9 CUC (¥1,303) | ¥1,337 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3.73 CUC (¥540) | ¥930 | - 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 5.01 CUC (¥726) | ¥622 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1.90 CUC (¥275) | ¥224 | + 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 2.12 CUC (¥306) | ¥188 | + 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 6.00 CUC (¥869) | ¥4,604 | - 81% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Cuba is 5% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30 CUC (¥4,345) | ¥4,908 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,881 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42 CUC (¥6,096) | ¥8,269 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 6.00 CUC (¥869) | ¥1,244 | - 30% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2.07 CUC (¥300) | ¥547 | - 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.00 CUC (¥290) | ¥674 | - 57% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 250 CUC (¥36,207) | ¥51,659 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.65 CUC (¥94) | ¥52 | + 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 40 CUC (¥5,793) | ¥9,530 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3.54 CUC (¥512) | ¥613 | - 16% | |
| TOTAL | + 23% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 746 prices entered by 121 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
144.826
JPY
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 23% more expensive than in Japan
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