Cost of living in Cuba compared to Mexico
Currency:
Food | + 190% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cuba is 190% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Cuba | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 52 CUC (Mex$ 1,010) | Mex$ 316 | + 219% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 30 CUC (Mex$ 584) | Mex$ 179 | + 226% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 9 CUC (Mex$ 170) | Mex$ 71 | + 139% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4.85 CUC (Mex$ 94) | Mex$ 29 | + 224% | |
12 eggs, large | 15 CUC (Mex$ 291) | Mex$ 50 | + 486% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3.70 CUC (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 34 | + 114% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8 CUC (Mex$ 156) | Mex$ 90 | + 73% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15 CUC (Mex$ 299) | Mex$ 47 | + 530% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 9 CUC (Mex$ 166) | Mex$ 35 | + 378% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.55 CUC (Mex$ 30) | Mex$ 30 | + 0% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 17 CUC (Mex$ 328) | Mex$ 263 | + 25% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 6 CUC (Mex$ 123) | Mex$ 39 | + 219% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.34 CUC (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 27 | - 5% | |
Housing | + 83% | |||
Housing in Cuba is 83% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Cuba | Mexico | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,531 CUC (Mex$ 29,673) | Mex$ 23,726 | + 25% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,117 CUC (Mex$ 41,053) | Mex$ 12,972 | + 216% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 614 CUC (Mex$ 11,912) | Mex$ 1,287 | + 825% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 616 CUC (Mex$ 11,952) | Mex$ 15,346 | - 22% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 400 CUC (Mex$ 7,757) | Mex$ 7,814 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 317 CUC (Mex$ 6,151) | Mex$ 754 | + 716% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 42 CUC (Mex$ 809) | Mex$ 424 | + 91% | |
40” flat screen tv | 462 CUC (Mex$ 8,965) | Mex$ 5,926 | + 51% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 219 CUC (Mex$ 4,252) | Mex$ 2,281 | + 86% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9 CUC (Mex$ 168) | Mex$ 153 | + 10% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 12 CUC (Mex$ 229) | Mex$ 139 | + 65% | |
Clothes | - 30% | |||
Clothes in Cuba is 30% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Cuba | Mexico | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 40 CUC (Mex$ 780) | Mex$ 980 | - 20% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 23 CUC (Mex$ 451) | Mex$ 782 | - 42% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 70 CUC (Mex$ 1,364) | Mex$ 1,697 | - 20% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 58 CUC (Mex$ 1,122) | Mex$ 1,414 | - 21% | |
Transportation | + 30% | |||
Transportation in Cuba is 30% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Cuba | Mexico | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 41,803 CUC (Mex$ 810,476) | Mex$ 384,726 | + 111% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.46 CUC (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 24 | + 17% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 36 CUC (Mex$ 688) | Mex$ 642 | + 7% | |
Personal Care | + 55% | |||
Personal Care in Cuba is 55% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Cuba | Mexico | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 5.81 CUC (Mex$ 113) | Mex$ 107 | + 6% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20 CUC (Mex$ 388) | Mex$ 284 | + 37% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | Mex$ 670 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 8 CUC (Mex$ 155) | Mex$ 94 | + 64% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 4.54 CUC (Mex$ 88) | Mex$ 68 | + 30% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15 CUC (Mex$ 290) | Mex$ 81 | + 259% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.12 CUC (Mex$ 61) | Mex$ 43 | + 41% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 2.36 CUC (Mex$ 46) | Mex$ 44 | + 5% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 47 CUC (Mex$ 906) | Mex$ 291 | + 211% | |
Entertainment | + 68% | |||
Entertainment in Cuba is 68% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Cuba | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30 CUC (Mex$ 582) | Mex$ 381 | + 53% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 16 CUC (Mex$ 317) | Mex$ 176 | + 80% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 100 CUC (Mex$ 1,939) | Mex$ 911 | + 113% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42 CUC (Mex$ 817) | Mex$ 862 | - 5% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 6.00 CUC (Mex$ 116) | Mex$ 180 | - 35% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2.64 CUC (Mex$ 51) | Mex$ 100 | - 49% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.97 CUC (Mex$ 58) | Mex$ 58 | - 1% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 250 CUC (Mex$ 4,847) | Mex$ 11,177 | - 57% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.65 CUC (Mex$ 13) | Mex$ 2.42 | + 418% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 65 CUC (Mex$ 1,270) | Mex$ 899 | + 41% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.46 CUC (Mex$ 106) | Mex$ 82 | + 29% | |
TOTAL | + 85% |

These prices were last updated on May 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
19.388
MXN
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 85% more expensive than in Mexico
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