🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,500 in Bayamo versus $1,618 in Varadero.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,066 in Bayamo versus $1,999 in Varadero.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,632 in Bayamo versus $2,380 in Varadero.
🙂Living in Bayamo costs roughly 7% less than in Varadero, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Bayamo12% above, Varadero21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.27CUP 78.4
$5.88CUP 141
-44.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.10CUP 1,178
$47.70CUP 1,145
2.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.82CUP 164
$9.18CUP 220
-25.71%
Cappuccino
$3.15CUP 75.7
$1.03CUP 24.66
205.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27CUP 30.48
$1.97CUP 47.22
-35.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08CUP 25.85
$0.93CUP 22.24
16.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.96CUP 47.13
$3.80CUP 91.2
-48.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77CUP 42.58
$2.66CUP 63.8
-33.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.03CUP 72.7
$2.94CUP 70.7
3.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97CUP 23.35
$1.31CUP 31.47
-25.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.96CUP 71.1
$1.47CUP 35.25
101.36%
Eggs
$3.56CUP 85.3
$2.44CUP 58.5
45.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.82CUP 140
$6.13CUP 147
-5.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.91CUP 142
$5.02CUP 120
17.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.17CUP 292
$12.14CUP 291
0.25%
Apples(1kg)
$4.86CUP 117
$4.92CUP 118
-1.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22CUP 29.36
$0.58CUP 13.85
110.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.47CUP 35.29
$1.02CUP 24.52
44.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47CUP 35.40
$1.14CUP 27.42
28.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.98CUP 47.51
$0.89CUP 21.33
122.47%
Onion(1kg)
$3.03CUP 72.8
$5.67CUP 136
-46.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01CUP 24.27
$0.35CUP 8.49
188.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12CUP 26.77
$0.55CUP 13.09
103.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.88CUP 93.2
$3.79CUP 91.1
2.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.01CUP 240
$5.72CUP 137
75.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96CUP 47.02
$0.80CUP 19.26
145.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96CUP 46.94
$0.72CUP 17.27
172.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18CUP 4.28
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.39CUP 825
$19.88CUP 477
72.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.23CUP 53.5
$2.01CUP 48.34
10.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.41CUP 9.87
$1.01CUP 24.25
-59.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.14CUP 483
$20.13CUP 483
0.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22CUP 29.31
$1.32CUP 31.78
-7.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$74.8KCUP 1.8M
$69.8KCUP 1.7M
7.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$88.5KCUP 2.1M
$78.4KCUP 1.9M
12.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$30.49CUP 732
$39.63CUP 951
-23.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.88CUP 237
$39.25CUP 942
-74.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$253CUP 6,065
$218CUP 5,222
16.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.26CUP 966
$40.30CUP 967
-0.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.02CUP 241
$14.98CUP 359
-33.11%
Cinema Ticket
$0.99CUP 23.68
$0.99CUP 23.67
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$96.8CUP 2,324
$90.6CUP 2,173
6.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2KCUP 365.3K
$14.9KCUP 357.4K
2.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.09CUP 482
$40.15CUP 964
-49.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.83CUP 596
$29.72CUP 713
-16.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.3CUP 1,712
$74.2CUP 1,780
-3.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.0CUP 1,296
$84.4CUP 2,026
-36.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$431CUP 10.3K
$404CUP 9,687
6.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$679CUP 16.3K
$797CUP 19.1K
-14.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$591CUP 14.2K
$1,206CUP 28.9K
-50.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$978CUP 23.5K
$638CUP 15.3K
53.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$395CUP 9,482
$387CUP 9,293
2.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$346CUP 8,304
$352CUP 8,437
-1.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$19.82CUP 476
$19.62CUP 471
1.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
15
-60.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bayamo: May 31, 2026
Last update for Varadero: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $431 in Bayamo and $404 in Varadero. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bayamo pays 1% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $49.00 in Bayamo vs $48.00 in Varadero for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $258 vs $215 per month, with Varadero cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bayamo vs Varadero: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Varadero cheaper than Bayamo?
Bayamo is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 8% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Bayamo or Varadero?
Bayamo pays 1% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Bayamo and Varadero?
Rent for a central apartment: $431 in Bayamo versus $404 in Varadero. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Bayamo or Varadero?
Dining out is cheaper in Bayamo – a meal for two runs $49.00 versus $48.00 in Varadero. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Bayamo vs Varadero?
All in, you'll spend $1,500 per month in Bayamo versus $1,618 in Varadero – a 8% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Bayamo or Varadero?
At $1,500 in Bayamo versus $1,618 in Varadero, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Bayamo but tight or insufficient in Varadero. The gap between the two cities makes Bayamo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Bayamo or Varadero?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Bayamo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Varadero. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.