Cost of Living in Cuba

If you've ever considered moving to Cuba, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Cuba?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Cuba and whether the reported $1457 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $33.55.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Cuba
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

7.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

25.0 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

5.5 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

2.5 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.92 $

Cappuccino (regular)

1.63 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

2.31 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

1.34 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

3.21 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.14 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.4 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.78 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

5.4 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

5.77 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

11.37 $

Apples (1 lb)

7.0 $

Banana (1 lb)

0.86 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.2 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.83 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.9 $

Onion (1 lb)

2.34 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.88 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.92 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

7.0 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.72 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.75 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

4.0 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.1 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

20.0 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

1.0 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.54 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

15.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.21 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

80000.0 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

71000.0 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

30.33 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.33 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

152.86 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

15.25 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

7.5 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

1.12 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

70.0 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

15166.67 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

51.5 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

43.25 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

74.38 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

64.8 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

444.44 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

204.44 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

1366.67 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

730.0 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

328.27 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

234.58 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

33.55 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

5.73 %

Cuba

How Safe Is Cuba for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Cuba

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Cuba is, for the most part, a safe country to visit, though it's not without its dangers. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of getting stolen from.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Cuba is filled with unlicensed cabs without meters so be sure to pre-arrange a ride with a reliable cab company. There are also many old-timers Cuba is known for that will overcharge you for a ride in their shiny car.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There is a threat of petty crime. Pickpockets do operate, especially at the beaches and in public transport so you should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. Theft of hi-tech items is also on the rise.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There is a hurricane season in Cuba, and it usually lasts from June to November. This is the only thing you should be aware of when it comes to natural disasters.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There have been reports of muggings happening in urban areas, but it's not that common of an occurrence because criminals would have to pay a steep price to the authorities if caught. There is usually no force or weapons involved.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There haven't been any recent terrorist attacks in Cuba's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

This is where you should be particularly careful: the local scammers. Taxi drivers will probably try to overcharge you for the ride, the local drifters will catch you on the street and convince you that they live in the same street your accommodation is, with a goal to attract your attention. They sometimes give you some advice where to go and what to do and then ask for a tip. Since cigars are their most popular product, Cubans will try to trick you into buying cheap ones making you believe they are original. Only buy cigars in official cigar shops.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Cuba is not only a low-risk destination for women, it is actually one of the destinations where women should feel very safe. Cuba is a country with a high degree of feminine integration into the society. It is almost a normal occurrence for a man to comment on the beauty of any woman and this should be taken as a compliment because it definitely was given as one. These comments do not have a sexual connotation and should be answered with a polite "gracias".

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Many countries do need a visa for Cuba although there's a number of countries who don't. Residents of the U.S. weren't allowed to enter Cuba as tourists up until recently when that changed and now they are allowed but they do need a visa and the requirements are strict. Upon arriving to Cuba, you will get a tarjeta de turista and it will be valid for 30 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least one month beyond your departure date. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

There are two currencies in Cuba: Cuban Pesos (CUP) and Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC). Tourists usually use the CUC as this is the money used to pay for hotels, food, services, sightseeing, etc. CUP is used for only a number of things, such as fruit and vegetables at the market. ATMs are generally rare in Cuba. Make sure you have cash with you.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The weather in Cuba is tropical, and thanks to the Caribbean current, its waters are warm. Apart from the aforementioned hurricane season that lasts from June to November, there is a dry season that falls between November and April, and the rainy season lasts from May to October. The average temperature in January is about 21°C and in July it's 27°C.

flight_takeoff

Airports

José Martí International Airport, sometimes referred to as its former name Rancho-Boyeros Airport, is an international airport and the main gateway into Cuba, located 15 km southwest of Havana, Cuba.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Cuba, since it covers not only the costs medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Cuba with other countries

Cost of living in countries