🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $362 in Santa Clara versus $1,221 in Cayo Coco.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $486 in Santa Clara versus $1,683 in Cayo Coco.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $611 in Santa Clara versus $2,145 in Cayo Coco.
🌍Living in Santa Clara costs roughly 70% less than in Cayo Coco, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Santa Clara73% lower, Cayo Coco9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$5.11CUP 123
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$15.03CUP 361
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$6.84CUP 164
-
Cappuccino
-
$0.98CUP 23.55
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.06CUP 49.33
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.99CUP 23.70
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.98CUP 47.53
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.98CUP 71.6
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$3.04CUP 72.9
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$0.97CUP 23.40
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.03CUP 48.68
-
Eggs
-
$3.66CUP 87.8
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$6.11CUP 147
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.14CUP 123
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.05CUP 241
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$5.12CUP 123
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.02CUP 24.57
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$0.98CUP 23.62
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$0.98CUP 23.54
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$0.98CUP 23.42
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$3.04CUP 72.9
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.01CUP 24.35
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.98CUP 23.53
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.93CUP 70.4
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$9.87CUP 237
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.99CUP 47.70
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.01CUP 48.34
-
🚌 Getting Around
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$20.26CUP 486
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.02CUP 24.45
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.98CUP 23.43
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$20.31CUP 488
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.02CUP 24.49
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$125.9KCUP 3.0M
$71.4KCUP 1.7M
76.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$150.8KCUP 3.6M
$79.2KCUP 1.9M
90.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$39.22CUP 941
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$40.69CUP 977
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$217CUP 5,199
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$6.86CUP 165
$40.13CUP 963
-82.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.14CUP 243
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$1.02CUP 24.51
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$89.4CUP 2,146
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.2KCUP 365.3K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$40.46CUP 971
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$30.31CUP 728
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$75.6CUP 1,813
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$78.5CUP 1,883
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$356CUP 8,549
$392CUP 9,419
-9.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$354CUP 8,501
$425CUP 10.2K
-16.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$741CUP 17.8K
$1,032CUP 24.8K
-28.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$602CUP 14.4K
$620CUP 14.9K
-2.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$278CUP 6,670
$298CUP 7,162
-6.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$286CUP 6,875
$355CUP 8,511
-19.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Santa Clara
Cayo Coco
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$19.91CUP 478
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.62
10
-3.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Santa Clara: July 14, 2026
Last update for Cayo Coco: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $356 in Santa Clara and $392 in Cayo Coco. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
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
Santa Clara vs Cayo Coco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Santa Clara or Cayo Coco?
Santa Clara wins on cost – living expenses run 237% lower than in Cayo Coco. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Santa Clara the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Santa Clara and in Cayo Coco?
You'd need roughly $543 in Santa Clara and $1,831 in Cayo Coco to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Santa Clara compared to Cayo Coco?
Rent for a central apartment: $356 in Santa Clara versus $392 in Cayo Coco. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Santa Clara or in Cayo Coco?
At $362 in Santa Clara versus $1,221 in Cayo Coco, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Santa Clara but tight or insufficient in Cayo Coco. The gap between the two cities makes Santa Clara the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Santa Clara or Cayo Coco?
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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Santa Clara gentler on the wallet – expenses run 237% less than in Cayo Coco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Santa Clara vs other spots: cost of living compared