Cost of living in Cuba compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cuba is 30% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 24 CUC ($24) | $17 | + 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 14 CUC ($14) | $9 | + 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 6 CUC ($6) | $5.08 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2.77 CUC ($2.77) | $0.99 | + 180% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 5.59 CUC ($5.59) | $3.31 | + 69% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3.58 CUC ($3.58) | $4.41 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 12 CUC ($12) | $7 | + 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 8 CUC ($8) | $3.92 | + 93% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.12 CUC ($5.12) | $1.95 | + 163% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3.80 CUC ($3.80) | $3.35 | + 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 16 CUC ($16) | $16 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4.78 CUC ($4.78) | $2.25 | + 112% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.62 CUC ($1.62) | $2.49 | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 41% | |||
| Housing in Cuba is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 893 CUC ($893) | $2,528 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 659 CUC ($659) | $1,959 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 114 CUC ($114) | $202 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 645 CUC ($645) | $1,772 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 637 CUC ($637) | $1,345 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 70 CUC ($70) | $138 | - 49% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 93 CUC ($93) | $57 | + 65% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 474 CUC ($474) | $302 | + 57% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 166 CUC ($166) | $136 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9 CUC ($9) | $12 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 9 CUC ($9) | $26 | - 65% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Cuba is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 66 CUC ($66) | $51 | + 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 37 CUC ($37) | $47 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 150 CUC ($150) | $92 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 89 CUC ($89) | $119 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 4% | |||
| Transportation in Cuba is 4% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 42,734 CUC ($42,734) | $25,234 | + 69% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.44 CUC ($1.44) | $1.05 | + 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 51 CUC ($51) | $76 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 2% | |||
| Personal Care in Cuba is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 9 CUC ($9) | $7 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 21 CUC ($21) | $19 | + 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 75 CUC ($75) | $125 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 8 CUC ($8) | $7 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 4.63 CUC ($4.63) | $4.16 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 12 CUC ($12) | $5.52 | + 122% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3.91 CUC ($3.91) | $4.19 | - 7% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 4.20 CUC ($4.20) | $2.05 | + 105% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 11 CUC ($11) | $25 | - 56% | |
| Entertainment | + 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Cuba is 4% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 35 CUC ($35) | $49 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 16 CUC ($16) | $26 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 61 CUC ($61) | $192 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 59 CUC ($59) | $83 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 7 CUC ($7) | $13 | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3.73 CUC ($3.73) | $5.17 | - 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 5.04 CUC ($5.04) | $6 | - 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 486 CUC ($486) | $495 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.73 CUC ($0.73) | $0.17 | + 335% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 38 CUC ($38) | $54 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5.58 CUC ($5.58) | $9 | - 39% | |
| TOTAL | - 10% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 17,085 prices entered by 2,696 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.000
USD
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 10% cheaper than in United States
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