Cost of living in Cuba compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 287% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cuba is 287% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 65 CUC (¥8,980) | ¥1,025 | + 776% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 43 CUC (¥6,018) | ¥723 | + 732% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 13 CUC (¥1,818) | ¥519 | + 250% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.03 CUC (¥421) | ¥197 | + 114% | |
12 eggs, large | 16 CUC (¥2,206) | ¥316 | + 598% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 4.70 CUC (¥652) | ¥629 | + 4% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 17 CUC (¥2,422) | ¥962 | + 152% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7 CUC (¥1,008) | ¥902 | + 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7 CUC (¥963) | ¥574 | + 68% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.28 CUC (¥733) | ¥285 | + 157% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 19 CUC (¥2,634) | ¥1,208 | + 118% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 6 CUC (¥847) | ¥184 | + 361% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.45 CUC (¥480) | ¥206 | + 133% | |
Housing | + 73% | |||
Housing in Cuba is 73% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,730 CUC (¥240,230) | ¥326,267 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 3,032 CUC (¥420,968) | ¥171,772 | + 145% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 279 CUC (¥38,724) | ¥28,488 | + 36% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,487 CUC (¥345,330) | ¥157,603 | + 119% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,980 CUC (¥274,915) | ¥82,713 | + 232% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 240 CUC (¥33,317) | ¥24,082 | + 38% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 90 CUC (¥12,525) | ¥4,699 | + 167% | |
40” flat screen tv | 643 CUC (¥89,216) | ¥47,482 | + 88% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 235 CUC (¥32,644) | ¥32,093 | + 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 19 CUC (¥2,600) | ¥1,313 | + 98% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 33 CUC (¥4,566) | ¥1,878 | + 143% | |
Clothes | + 227% | |||
Clothes in Cuba is 227% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 192 CUC (¥26,678) | ¥6,136 | + 335% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 109 CUC (¥15,094) | ¥5,199 | + 190% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 244 CUC (¥33,839) | ¥8,989 | + 276% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 297 CUC (¥41,251) | ¥13,588 | + 204% | |
Transportation | + 153% | |||
Transportation in Cuba is 153% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 85,347 CUC (¥11,848,569) | ¥2,700,660 | + 339% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.75 CUC (¥243) | ¥165 | + 48% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 178 CUC (¥24,644) | ¥10,143 | + 143% | |
Personal Care | + 69% | |||
Personal Care in Cuba is 69% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 27 CUC (¥3,736) | ¥2,497 | + 50% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28 CUC (¥3,910) | ¥1,967 | + 99% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 62 CUC (¥8,642) | ¥5,380 | + 61% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 17 CUC (¥2,295) | ¥650 | + 253% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.54 CUC (¥769) | ¥938 | - 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15 CUC (¥2,150) | ¥702 | + 206% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 5.47 CUC (¥759) | ¥218 | + 247% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 4.21 CUC (¥584) | ¥216 | + 171% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 38 CUC (¥5,290) | ¥3,927 | + 35% | |
Entertainment | + 45% | |||
Entertainment in Cuba is 45% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Cuba | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 48 CUC (¥6,628) | ¥4,141 | + 60% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 52 CUC (¥7,215) | ¥3,600 | + 100% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 46 CUC (¥6,439) | ¥4,000 | + 61% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 78 CUC (¥10,831) | ¥5,993 | + 81% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 11 CUC (¥1,521) | ¥984 | + 55% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.70 CUC (¥792) | ¥472 | + 68% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.35 CUC (¥465) | ¥575 | - 19% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,270 CUC (¥176,366) | ¥101,122 | + 74% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.56 CUC (¥78) | ¥52 | + 50% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 32 CUC (¥4,461) | ¥9,280 | - 52% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8 CUC (¥1,103) | ¥592 | + 86% | |
TOTAL | + 132% |

These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
138.829
JPY
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 132% more expensive than in Japan
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