🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,469 in Bayamo versus $1,622 in Varadero.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,054 in Bayamo versus $2,010 in Varadero.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,640 in Bayamo versus $2,399 in Varadero.
🌍Living in Bayamo costs roughly 9% less than in Varadero, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Bayamo10% above, Varadero21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.19CUP 76.4
$5.86CUP 141
-45.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.9CUP 1,222
$48.14CUP 1,155
5.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.99CUP 168
$8.81CUP 211
-20.66%
Cappuccino
$3.32CUP 79.8
$0.98CUP 23.41
238.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27CUP 30.46
$1.99CUP 47.68
-36.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13CUP 27.09
$0.99CUP 23.73
14.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.97CUP 47.30
$3.68CUP 88.3
-46.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79CUP 42.95
$2.54CUP 61.0
-29.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.02CUP 72.4
$2.99CUP 71.7
1.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99CUP 23.71
$1.24CUP 29.83
-20.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.06CUP 73.4
$1.50CUP 36.03
104.00%
Eggs
$3.52CUP 84.5
$2.41CUP 57.8
46.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.04CUP 145
$6.17CUP 148
-2.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.16CUP 148
$5.10CUP 122
20.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.96CUP 287
$11.93CUP 286
0.25%
Apples(1kg)
$5.08CUP 122
$4.98CUP 120
2.01%
Banana(1kg)
$1.23CUP 29.64
$0.57CUP 13.79
115.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.54CUP 36.88
$0.98CUP 23.46
57.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46CUP 35.11
$1.14CUP 27.28
28.07%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97CUP 47.35
$0.92CUP 22.05
114.13%
Onion(1kg)
$2.95CUP 70.9
$5.48CUP 132
-46.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03CUP 24.62
$0.38CUP 9.19
171.05%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12CUP 26.97
$0.57CUP 13.75
96.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.02CUP 96.6
$3.61CUP 86.5
11.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.08CUP 242
$5.66CUP 136
78.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98CUP 47.56
$0.87CUP 20.92
127.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97CUP 47.26
$0.77CUP 18.60
155.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22CUP 5.19
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.20CUP 845
$19.93CUP 478
76.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.24CUP 53.8
$2.06CUP 49.39
8.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42CUP 10.05
$0.97CUP 23.39
-56.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.14CUP 483
$20.18CUP 484
-0.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23CUP 29.43
$1.33CUP 31.95
-7.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$74.2KCUP 1.8M
$68.7KCUP 1.6M
8.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$90.2KCUP 2.2M
$78.4KCUP 1.9M
15.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$29.43CUP 706
$39.57CUP 950
-25.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.08CUP 242
$39.46CUP 947
-74.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$255CUP 6,110
$219CUP 5,245
16.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.74CUP 978
$39.75CUP 954
2.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.91CUP 238
$15.08CUP 362
-34.28%
Cinema Ticket
$1.01CUP 24.26
$0.99CUP 23.68
2.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$96.5CUP 2,316
$90.8CUP 2,178
6.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.3KCUP 366.7K
$15.1KCUP 361.5K
1.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.36CUP 489
$39.74CUP 954
-48.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.23CUP 605
$30.60CUP 734
-17.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5CUP 1,669
$74.0CUP 1,776
-6.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.9CUP 1,342
$86.2CUP 2,069
-35.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$422CUP 10.1K
$407CUP 9,766
3.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$669CUP 16.1K
$796CUP 19.1K
-15.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585CUP 14.0K
$1,200CUP 28.8K
-51.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$968CUP 23.2K
$640CUP 15.3K
51.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$393CUP 9,421
$389CUP 9,342
0.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$348CUP 8,356
$355CUP 8,529
-2.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bayamo
Varadero
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$19.80CUP 475
$19.38CUP 465
2.17%
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for Varadero: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $422 in Bayamo and $407 in Varadero. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bayamo pays 2% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $51.0 in Bayamo vs $48.00 in Varadero for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $261 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. The 10% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Bayamo or Varadero?
Average pay runs 2% higher in Bayamo, 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: $422 in Bayamo versus $407 in Varadero. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Bayamo or in Varadero?
Dining out is cheaper in Bayamo – a meal for two runs $51.0 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 and in Varadero?
All in, you'll spend $1,469 per month in Bayamo versus $1,622 in Varadero – a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Bayamo or in Varadero?
At $1,469 in Bayamo versus $1,622 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 in 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 10% less than in Varadero. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.