Cost of living in Cuba compared to United States
Currency:
Food | + 153% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cuba is 153% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 65 CUC ($65) | $19 | + 249% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 43 CUC ($43) | $10 | + 334% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 13 CUC ($13) | $5.79 | + 126% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3.03 CUC ($3.03) | $1.08 | + 180% | |
12 eggs, large | 16 CUC ($16) | $4.96 | + 220% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 4.70 CUC ($4.70) | $4.69 | + 0% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 17 CUC ($17) | $7 | + 152% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7 CUC ($7) | $4.66 | + 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 7 CUC ($7) | $2.49 | + 179% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 5.28 CUC ($5.28) | $3.11 | + 70% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 19 CUC ($19) | $16 | + 19% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 6 CUC ($6) | $2.78 | + 120% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.45 CUC ($3.45) | $2.99 | + 16% | |
Housing | + 14% | |||
Housing in Cuba is 14% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,730 CUC ($1,730) | $2,827 | - 39% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 3,032 CUC ($3,032) | $2,145 | + 41% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 279 CUC ($279) | $220 | + 27% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,487 CUC ($2,487) | $1,885 | + 32% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,980 CUC ($1,980) | $1,443 | + 37% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 240 CUC ($240) | $145 | + 65% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 90 CUC ($90) | $64 | + 42% | |
40” flat screen tv | 643 CUC ($643) | $297 | + 116% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 235 CUC ($235) | $135 | + 74% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 19 CUC ($19) | $13 | + 39% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 33 CUC ($33) | $32 | + 4% | |
Clothes | + 165% | |||
Clothes in Cuba is 165% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 192 CUC ($192) | $54 | + 257% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 109 CUC ($109) | $45 | + 141% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 244 CUC ($244) | $93 | + 161% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 297 CUC ($297) | $119 | + 150% | |
Transportation | + 128% | |||
Transportation in Cuba is 128% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 85,347 CUC ($85,347) | $27,876 | + 206% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.75 CUC ($1.75) | $1.05 | + 67% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 178 CUC ($178) | $79 | + 124% | |
Personal Care | + 27% | |||
Personal Care in Cuba is 27% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 27 CUC ($27) | $8 | + 220% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 28 CUC ($28) | $20 | + 41% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 62 CUC ($62) | $139 | - 55% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 17 CUC ($17) | $8 | + 95% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 5.54 CUC ($5.54) | $4.82 | + 15% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15 CUC ($15) | $6 | + 148% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 5.47 CUC ($5.47) | $4.77 | + 15% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 4.21 CUC ($4.21) | $2.25 | + 87% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 38 CUC ($38) | $27 | + 41% | |
Entertainment | + 23% | |||
Entertainment in Cuba is 23% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Cuba | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 48 CUC ($48) | $55 | - 14% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 52 CUC ($52) | $28 | + 88% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 46 CUC ($46) | $195 | - 76% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 78 CUC ($78) | $90 | - 13% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 11 CUC ($11) | $14 | - 20% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5.70 CUC ($5.70) | $5.20 | + 10% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3.35 CUC ($3.35) | $6 | - 47% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,270 CUC ($1,270) | $552 | + 130% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.56 CUC ($0.56) | $0.21 | + 167% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 32 CUC ($32) | $54 | - 41% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 8 CUC ($8) | $10 | - 21% | |
TOTAL | + 73% |

These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.000
USD
/
CUC
*
Cost of living in Cuba is 73% more expensive than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 44% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 22% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 52% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 5% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 11% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States