Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Cuba is a dream for many expatriates: tropical climate, unique colonial heritage, ever-present musical culture, and a cost of living presented as “low” from a European or North American perspective. But behind this image, the budgetary reality is much more complex. High inflation, a confusing monetary system, huge gaps between local salaries and foreign income, shortages… For an expatriate, Cuba can be both very affordable and surprisingly expensive depending on their lifestyle and the currency in which they are paid.
This article details, item by item, the cost of living in Cuba for expatriates based on factual data. It allows for estimating a realistic budget and understanding the economic mechanisms that influence daily prices.
Understanding the economic context before talking budget
Before even putting a number on rent or a grocery basket, it is essential to grasp the economic framework in which an expatriate operates in Cuba. Without this, the raw amounts make little sense.
An economy in structural crisis
Cuba is going through one of the most difficult periods in its recent history. The country is experiencing:
– Repeated GDP contractions over the last six years, with a 10.9% drop in 2020 and a barely perceptible recovery the following year.
– A very high budget deficit, reaching up to 17.7% of GDP in 2020.
– Official inflation over 70% in 2021, and even more pronounced price increases on informal markets.
Shortages of food, medicine, and consumer goods have become commonplace. Recurrent power outages, sometimes affecting nearly half the island, impact both households and businesses. In this context, the cost of living isn’t just the price tag on a product: it also incorporates scarcity, access to foreign currency, and the existence of a vast informal market.
Very low local salaries, but “internationalized” expenses
One of the major paradoxes of Cuba is the extreme gap between local incomes and the prices paid by expatriates.
Several indicators can measure this gap, such as internet access rates, connection quality (bandwidth), terminal equipment (computers, smartphones), or basic digital skills. These measures reveal disparities in technology access and use between individuals, regions, or social groups.
| Indicator | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Average net monthly salary | 299 USD |
| Median salary in Havana | 488 USD |
| Average salary in CUP (approx.) | 5,000–6,000 CUP |
| Minimum wage | 2,100 CUP (~87 USD) |
| Monthly income for many citizens (public sector) | ~20–30 USD |
Overall cost of living estimates show that typical monthly expenses for an expatriate are about 4.1 times higher than the average salary. In reality, an average local salary would barely cover 0.2 months of expenses at the “expat” standard of living.
This is why living in Cuba remains relatively affordable for someone paid in euros or dollars, but is a daily challenge for Cubans.
A confusing monetary system for newcomers
Officially, Cuba unified its currency in 2021: only the national currency, the Cuban peso (CUP), is legal tender. The former convertible peso (CUC), pegged to the dollar, was withdrawn from circulation. But in practice, the currency issue remains central for an expatriate.
Several exchange rates coexist:
– An official rate around 120 CUP to 1 USD (2025 data).
– Bank or “official” rates sometimes posted at 110–125 CUP to 1 USD.
– An informal exchange rate (black market) that has reached 250 CUP to 1 USD, or even more depending on the period.
– Even higher equivalents in euros on the informal market (for example 450 CUP to 1 EUR according to some estimates).
In Cuba, there are MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) accounts, a sort of “digital dollar” used in stores selling imported goods. These cards, essential for making some quality goods purchases, must be loaded with foreign currency like US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR).
The consequence for an expatriate is twofold:
– Those who earn income in hard currency (and bring it in cash) benefit from much more favorable informal rates than the official rate and significantly improve their purchasing power.
– Those who depend on income in CUP live in an environment where many prices, especially in the private sector, are implicitly indexed to the dollar.
The practical impossibility of relying on US bank cards
Another significant specific consequence: due to the embargo, it is practically impossible to use bank cards issued in the United States or withdraw dollars from an ATM. Transfers to Cuba are also complicated.
An expatriate must therefore plan to enter the country with enough cash in USD or EUR to cover a long period, with local currency subsequently obtained via exchange offices or, in fact, via the informal market. It is also impossible to leave Cuba with CUP, which requires careful management of conversions.
How much does daily life cost in Cuba for an expatriate?
In this complex monetary context, we can still draw up a numerical overview of the cost of living for an expatriate, based on available data.
Overall monthly budget: single person and family
Several sources estimate the monthly expenses of a typical expatriate, sometimes distinguishing between costs with or without rent.
The rough estimates are as follows:
| Profile | Total Monthly Expenses | Excluding Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Single person (Cuba, average) | ~1,217 USD | ~602 USD |
| Family of 4 | ~2,607 USD | ~1,819 USD |
| Single person in Havana | ~918 USD (including rent) | ~628 USD (excluding rent) |
| Family of 4 in Havana | — | ~2,254 USD (excluding rent) |
These amounts place Cuba 60th worldwide out of 197 countries for cost of living, a level very close to the world average (1.07 times more expensive than average). From New York’s perspective, Havana appears about 61% cheaper if you exclude housing, and rents there are on average 89% lower.
For an expatriate paid in hard currency, the cost of living remains generally affordable, provided they manage the most significant expense items: housing, food outside the rationed system, and internet access.
Finding housing in Cuba: rents, purchases, and options for expatriates
Housing is one of the central items in an expatriate’s budget, especially in Havana, where professional opportunities, universities, and cultural life are concentrated.
Rental levels by type of housing
The figures vary by source and calculation method, but converge on one point: there is a wide range of prices, from a room in a casa particular to a luxury apartment.
We can summarize the following rough estimates for Havana and for the island as a whole:
| Type of Housing | Location | Average Monthly Rent (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom – city center (Cuba, avg.) | City center of a major city | ~637 |
| Studio / 1 bedroom – less central area | Outside center | ~466 |
| 3 bedrooms – city center (Cuba, avg.) | Center | ~956 |
| 3 bedrooms – outside center (Cuba, avg.) | Outside center | ~769 |
| 1 bedroom in Havana – center | Havana center | ~251 |
| 1 bedroom in Havana – outside center | Havana outskirts | ~323 |
| 3 bedrooms in Havana – center | Havana center | ~1,022 |
| 3 bedrooms in Havana – outside center | Havana outskirts | ~556 |
| Room share in Havana | Various neighborhoods | 200–400 per person |
| Casa particular (nightly) | Tourist areas | 20–60 per night |
| “Luxury” / high-end housing | Prime neighborhoods | 1,500–3,000 per month |
To this can be added other data in CUC/CUP that confirm the extent of the range: a furnished 45 m² studio in a “normal” neighborhood can rent for around 350 CUC per month, while a larger apartment in an expensive area reaches or exceeds 1,400 CUC. Security deposits are usually equivalent to one or two months’ rent, refunded at the end of the lease if the property hasn’t been damaged.
For short and medium stays, casas particulares (rooms or apartments in a local’s home) are an economical, flexible, and authentic option. However, their prices increase in very touristy neighborhoods and during the high season.
Buying property: reality and limits for foreigners
On the purchase side, average prices per square meter remain moderate compared to many capitals:
| Real Estate Purchase | Average Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Apartment city center (Cuba) | ~365 / m² |
| House in suburbs (Cuba) | ~408 / m² |
| Apartment city center Havana | ~398 / m² |
| House on Havana outskirts | ~509 / m² |
Mortgage interest rates are around 5.7% nationally, and nearly 9% for a 20-year loan in Havana.
Cuban law restricts real estate ownership to citizens and permanent residents, limiting foreigners to purchases in specific areas and making the rental market the main option for expatriates.
A highly segmented market depending on the clientele
What must be understood is that the housing market is also dual:
– A “local” market, with rents in CUP or moderate amounts for Cubans.
– An “expat / tourist” market, effectively indexed to the dollar or euro, with much higher rents.
Thus, an apartment in a central neighborhood like Vedado or Habana Vieja can rent for a few hundred dollars a month to an expatriate, while the average local salary is around 300 dollars. Conversely, more popular neighborhoods like Santo Suárez or La Víbora still offer significantly cheaper housing, at the cost of a longer daily commute to the center.
Utilities, Internet, and phone: modest costs… except for the Web
For an expatriate from Europe or North America, the electricity or water bill is generally not a shock. Internet, on the other hand, weighs heavily on the budget and remains of limited quality.
Cost of basic services
Available data shows that utilities remain modest in absolute value:
| Item | Average Amount (USD / month) |
|---|---|
| Basic utilities (water, electricity, garbage, heating, A/C) – 915 ft² | ~34–37 |
| Utilities for one person (Cuba, avg.) | ~30 |
| Utilities for a 45 m² studio | ~317 CUC (local value) |
| Utilities for 85 m² (2 people) | ~614 CUC (local value) |
As a percentage of an average Cuban salary, these amounts represent over 10% of income. For an expatriate with external income, they remain very manageable.
Internet access: expensive, slow, and controlled
Network access is one of the most sensitive issues for an expatriate, especially for remote workers.
Several key elements:
Overview of services and constraints of the Cuban network, dominated by the state operator ETECSA.
The sole operator ETECSA holds the monopoly on telecommunications on the island.
Average advertised speeds remain low, around 4 Mbps on mobile and less than 3 Mbps on fiber according to some measurements.
Numerous outages and line disruptions are regularly reported by users.
A number of foreign sites, especially financial services (PayPal, Wise, Revolut) and certain media, are inaccessible or blocked.
On the pricing side, the figures are spectacular relative to the local salary:
| Type of Access | Approximate Price |
|---|---|
| Unlimited Internet (cable/ADSL) – national | ~152.86 USD / month |
| Internet 60+ Mbps in Havana | ~75 USD / month |
| 8 Mbps Internet plan | 25 CUC / month |
| Mobile plan with calls + 10 GB data | ~40 USD / month |
| NAUTA prepaid card – 1 hr (public Wi-Fi) | 25 CUP |
| NAUTA card – 5 hrs | 125 CUP |
Thus, an unlimited fixed subscription can represent the equivalent of more than three average Cuban salaries. Hence the observation that “domestic” Internet is simply out of reach for the majority of the population.
For expatriates, several solutions coexist:
Different options for connecting to the internet during a stay in Cuba, from the most common to the most comprehensive solutions.
Using NAUTA cards to access public Wi-Fi points available in parks, hotels, and designated areas.
Purchasing a prepaid SIM card (CubacelTur) or an eSIM with data plans suited for visitors.
Subscribing to a fixed (home) or high-end mobile internet plan, a more costly option but offering better speed.
Given the partial network censorship and the blocking of some platforms, using a VPN is highly recommended. However, it’s important to install it before arriving, as many download sites are blocked on-site.
Mobile phone
The cost of mobile communications remains relatively high but manageable for an expatriate:
– A monthly plan with calls and over 10 GB of data runs around 35–40 USD.
– A minute of prepaid local communication costs about 0.28 USD.
– The Cubacel operator remains the reference for the majority of users.
Eating in Cuba: between rations, informal market, and private restaurants
Food is another key angle for understanding the cost of living. For an expatriate, the reality will depend heavily on their reliance on restaurants, home cooking, and the private market.
Cost of groceries
Estimates for a single person indicate a “comfortable” monthly food budget between 150 and 300 USD in Havana. A more basic basket around 50–100 USD is possible by shopping only in state stores, but the supply there is often limited and irregular, forcing reliance on private markets where prices are two or three times higher.
Some typical prices, on the supermarket or official circuit side, illustrate the scale:
| Product (quantity) | Average Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | ~3.5 |
| White bread (500 g) | ~1.1–1.3 |
| Rice (1 kg) | ~1.9–2.0 |
| Eggs (12) | ~1.9–3.9 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | ~5.5–9.0 depending on source |
| Beef (1 kg, round) | ~9–10.7 |
| Apples (1 kg) | ~4.9–9.0 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | ~1.1–1.3 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | ~2.2–2.6 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | ~2.1–5.6 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | ~1.0–1.2 |
| Beer (0.5 L, store) | ~1.5–2.1 |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | ~8–10 |
For an expatriate, these rates remain reasonable compared to Western Europe. For a Cuban paid in CUP, however, they imply significant trade-offs, hence the massive use of the ration booklet (Libreta de Abastecimiento) and the informal market.
The informal market: availability at an extra cost
In practice, a large portion of food (meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables) circulates on an unofficial market where prices in CUP rise significantly. Some records mention, for example:
The price in Cuban pesos for 5 pounds of pork, or 750 CUP per pound, is one indicator of high prices in the market.
Some testimonies estimate that a minimum of 30,000 CUP per month is needed to feed a family without depending exclusively on the rationed system, which is several times the minimum wage.
For an expatriate, these prices converted to dollars (via the black market) remain relatively affordable. But the shopping experience is very different from that of a typical supermarket: uncertain supply, negotiation, cash payment, multiple trips to find all products.
Eating out: from cheap snack to high-end restaurant
Eating at restaurants remains, for an expatriate, one of the biggest advantages of Cuba in terms of value for money. However, the gaps are significant depending on the type of establishment and the neighborhood.
In Havana, available data indicates:
| Type of Meal | Average Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | ~3.8–7.0 |
| Business district lunch menu | ~4.4–10.2 |
| Fast-food combo meal type | ~5.0–7.5 |
| Three-course dinner for two (mid-range restaurant) | ~27.5–34.4 |
| Dinner for two at an Italian trattoria | ~42 (in CUC) |
| Local beer (0.5 L) at a restaurant | ~2.0–2.5 |
| Cappuccino at a cafe | ~1.0–2.2 |
| Cocktail at a club | ~6.0 |
Thus, one can eat decently for a few dollars in simple establishments, but “trendy” or tourist-oriented restaurants easily apply prices comparable to some European cities.
For an expatriate who cooks little, a complete meal budget outside the home can quickly exceed 300 USD per month, especially if they regularly frequent the renowned paladares of Vedado or Habana Vieja.
Transportation: inexpensive, but not always comfortable
Transportation is among the most affordable items for an expatriate, while sometimes being one of the most chaotic in practical terms.
Public transport and taxis
Local bus tickets remain extremely cheap by international standards:
– A local transport ticket can be as low as 0.10–0.20 USD according to some sources.
– A monthly public transport pass is around 20–32 USD according to some datasets (with an estimate of 41 CUC in other records).
In Havana, a single ticket is closer to 1.2–1.3 USD according to dollar-based records. These discrepancies are explained in particular by differences in exchange rates and type of transport (“official” bus, shared taxi, etc.).
For taxis, the indications are as follows:
| Service | Approximate Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi starting fare | ~2.1–2.6 |
| 1 mile / 1 km ride | ~0.8–1.0 |
| 8 km trip in Havana | ~6.6–10.4 |
| 1 hour waiting | ~15–20 |
| Trip to the airport | ~11.8 (without negotiation) |
Shared taxis (collective taxis) remain the most economical solution for getting around the capital, with trips sometimes costing less than a dollar.
Fuel and vehicle purchase
Fuel is around 1.2–1.8 USD per liter (or about 4.7–4.8 USD per gallon). Again, this is not shocking for an expatriate, but it weighs heavily on locals.
On the other hand, purchasing a new car reaches exorbitant levels: a model like a Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla exceeds 60,000–70,000 USD. These sky-high prices are one reason why most expatriates forgo buying a vehicle locally and prefer to use taxis, intercity buses (like Viazul), and sometimes occasional rentals.
Healthcare: free public system, but a private budget for expatriates
The Cuban healthcare system is often cited as an example for its universal and preventive nature. Local residents benefit from free access to basic care. For expatriates, the reality is different and involves specific expenses.
Dual system: public for Cubans, paid for foreigners
Foreigners, even residents, are directed to a network of so-called “international” or “tourist” clinics, such as the Cira García Clinic in Havana or establishments of the Servimed chain in resort areas. These better-supplied facilities charge for their services in foreign currency.
Some price lists give an idea of the possible cost ranges for this type of service or product, serving as a general reference without constituting a firm offer.
| Medical service for foreigners | Price range (USD) |
|---|---|
| General consultation | 30–60 |
| Specialist consultation | 100–150 |
| Simple tests or exams | 50–100 |
| Complex exams (imaging, etc.) | 200–400 |
| Hospitalization (per night) | 150–500 (sometimes ~500) |
| Minor surgery | 800–1,500 |
| Major surgery | 2,000–6,000 |
| International medical evacuation | 15,000–50,000 |
For routine care, Cuba remains cheaper than many Western countries. But given the level of service, shortages of medicine and equipment, many expatriates prefer to subscribe to insurance that can also cover evacuation to another country (Mexico, Canada, Europe…).
Mandatory health insurance and monthly budget
Since 2010, all foreign visitors and expatriates must have health insurance valid in Cuba. Proof may be required upon entry and when applying for a visa or residence extension.
Monthly range in USD for premiums for suitable international insurance, with recommended coverage limits of at least 25,000 USD.
Therefore, an expatriate must plan in their overall budget: housing costs, insurance, school fees for children, transportation costs, daily living expenses, and leisure.
– An insurance policy (international or local): 70–200 USD per month for standard products, more for premium coverage.
– A small private pharmacy budget: from 10 to 50 USD per prescription, knowing that several medications may be unavailable and require purchase abroad.
Leisure, clothing, school: highly contrasting costs
Beyond essential items, it is useful to assess the cost of leisure, clothing, or children’s schooling to measure the “real” standard of living.
Outings, culture, and sports
The good news for an expatriate is the relative affordability of basic culture:
Overview of average prices for different entertainment activities aimed at visitors.
A movie ticket in Havana costs about 1 USD.
A ticket for an “international” film nationally is around 1–4 USD.
Admission to a museum or historical site is most often between 2 and 10 USD for a foreign visitor.
Concerts and live music venues charge entry from 5 to 20 USD.
More “select” or tourist-frequented nightclubs can however cost 10–50 USD per evening (entry + a few drinks).
On the sports side:
| Activity | Average Price (USD / month or session) |
|---|---|
| Gym membership – national | ~31–40 |
| Gym membership – Havana | ~37.7 |
| Tennis court rental (1 hr, weekend) | ~6–12 |
| Private sports lesson | ~15–40 per session |
These rates, modest for an expatriate, remain very high relative to Cuban incomes.
Clothing and electronics
Brand-name clothing, imported, is clearly positioned at an international price level, or even higher, even as quality or choice may be limited.
| Item | Average Price (USD / CUC) |
|---|---|
| Brand-name jeans (Levi’s 501 type) | ~35–43 |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M chain type) | ~22–40 |
| Sports shoes (Nike / Adidas) | ~73–76 |
| Leather dress shoes (men’s) | ~56–80 |
| 40-inch TV | ~403 CUC |
| Mid-range microwave | ~170 CUC |
| Wi‑Fi iPad 128 GB | ~250 CUC |
Electronic products</strong are significantly more expensive than in North America or Europe, due to import restrictions and markups applied by intermediaries. It is often advised to bring your own devices rather than buy them locally.
Children’s education
While public education is free for Cuban residents, expatriates who wish to maintain an international curriculum for their children must turn to private schools.
This is the population in millions of inhabitants of Havana, the capital of Cuba.
| Type of institution | Cost |
|---|---|
| Private daycare / preschool (per month) | ~108–112 USD |
| International primary school (per year) | ~8,400–12,400 USD |
On a monthly basis, international schooling can easily exceed 700–1,000 USD per child by spreading the annual fees, making it one of the heaviest expenses for an expatriate family.
Living in Cuba with foreign income: affordable, but logistically demanding
At the end of this overview, one conclusion stands out: for an expatriate who earns a stable income in foreign currency (USD, EUR, CAD…), the cost of living in Cuba can be relatively low, but at the cost of significant practical complexity.
A typical budget for an expatriate in Havana
If we synthesize the different items for a single person living in a central neighborhood of Havana with an “upper-mid” comfort level, we get an approximate monthly budget:
| Item | Monthly Estimate (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom rent (center) | 400–700 (casas / small apartments) |
| Utilities (energy, water…) | 30–50 |
| Internet / phone | 70–120 (depending on options) |
| Food (groceries + some restaurants) | 200–350 |
| Transportation | 10–30 |
| Leisure / outings | 50–150 |
| Healthcare (insurance prorated + pharmacy) | 100–250 |
| Miscellaneous (clothing, unforeseen…) | 50–100 |
This easily leads to a range of 900 to 1,700 USD per month for one person, depending on the housing standard and desired comfort level. For a family with two children in an international school, the overall budget can exceed 3,000–4,000 USD monthly when tuition is included.
“Low” prices that hide opportunity costs
If we compare these amounts to those of other capitals, Cuba remains significantly cheaper than metropolises like New York, London, or Zurich. But the cost of living isn’t measured solely in dollars:
The situation involves major practical difficulties: loss of time due to product shortages, need to organize backup power solutions for remote work, compromised access to online banking services without a VPN, and the need to travel abroad for complex medical care or medication purchases.
For an expatriate, these constraints must be factored into the “real cost” of living on the island.
A very different reality for Cubans
Finally, it is impossible to talk about the cost of living in Cuba without highlighting the radical contrast between the situation of expatriates with hard currency and that of the majority of Cubans:
Over 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, according to some observatories.
For an expatriate, this contrast also translates into a moral responsibility: that of understanding why the “reasonable” prices for him are often out of reach for his neighbors.
Conclusion: Cuba, “cheap” destination or expensive country?
On the surface, comparative tables rank Cuba among countries with a moderate cost of living: rents for basic apartments are low, simple meals are affordable, transportation is cheap, and some services (cinema, culture, basic sports) are very accessible.
But as soon as you look in detail, you discover:
The cost of living is significantly high in several key sectors: the Internet is expensive, slow, and controlled; imported and electronic products exceed Western prices; the healthcare system for foreigners requires costly insurance; and the price of food increases sharply outside subsidized state channels. Only international schooling presents rates comparable to other major capitals.
For an expatriate paid properly in foreign currency, it is possible to live comfortably in Cuba on 1,200 to 1,800 USD per month for a single person, more for a family. The country therefore remains financially attractive, but it requires a great capacity to adapt to the monetary system, shortages, and daily constraints.
The “price advantage” is not enough: it is the ability to navigate a hybrid economy, between state and market, between CUP, MLC, and dollars, that will truly determine the quality of life of an expatriate in Cuba.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
