Cost of Living Comparison Between Santiago de Cuba and Cayo Coco Cost of Living Comparison Between Santiago de Cuba and Cayo Coco

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $64.1 in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,228 in Cayo Coco.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $105 in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,675 in Cayo Coco.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $146 in Santiago de Cuba versus $2,121 in Cayo Coco.

Living in Santiago de Cuba costs roughly 95% less than in Cayo Coco, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Santiago de Cuba 95% lower, Cayo Coco 9% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.13 CUP 123

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.90 CUP 358

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.80 CUP 163

Cappuccino

$1.01 CUP 24.31

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 CUP 49.35

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 CUP 23.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.06 CUP 49.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 CUP 74.1

Milk (1 liter)

$3.82 CUP 91.7

$3.03 CUP 72.8

26.07%

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 CUP 23.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.97 CUP 47.39

Eggs

$2.07 CUP 49.74

$3.52 CUP 84.5

-41.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.83 CUP 140

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.94 CUP 119

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.17 CUP 244

Apples (1kg)

$5.04 CUP 121

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 CUP 23.73

Oranges (1kg)

$0.98 CUP 23.63

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 CUP 23.36

Potato (1kg)

$0.98 CUP 23.44

Onion (1kg)

$3.08 CUP 74.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.99 CUP 23.66

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 CUP 23.56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.92 CUP 70.1

Wine (Bottle)

$9.82 CUP 236

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.49 CUP 59.7

$2.02 CUP 48.40

23.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 CUP 59.7

$1.98 CUP 47.55

25.76%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.31 CUP 487

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.02 CUP 24.50

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 CUP 23.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.25 CUP 486

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 CUP 23.47

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$70.5K CUP 1.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$78.7K CUP 1.9M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$40.79 CUP 979

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$40.52 CUP 972

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$221 CUP 5,309

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.12 CUP 963

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.96 CUP 239

Cinema Ticket

$1.02 CUP 24.51

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

$89.9 CUP 2,156

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K CUP 354.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.31 CUP 968

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.10 CUP 722

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.5 CUP 1,811

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.0 CUP 1,896

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$395 CUP 9,478

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$424 CUP 10.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$592 CUP 14.2K

$1,049 CUP 25.2K

-43.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$622 CUP 14.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$299 CUP 7,165

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$349 CUP 8,364

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$20.17 CUP 484

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Santiago de Cuba: June 6, 2026

Last update for Cayo Coco: June 9, 2026

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

Santiago de Cuba vs Cayo Coco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Santiago de Cuba wins on cost – living expenses run 1816% lower than in Cayo Coco. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Santiago de Cuba the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $96.2 in Santiago de Cuba and $1,842 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 265% higher in Cayo Coco. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $64.1 per month in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,228 in Cayo Coco – a 1816% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $64.1 in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,228 in Cayo Coco, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Santiago de Cuba but tight or insufficient in Cayo Coco. The gap between the two cities makes Santiago de Cuba the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Expats usually find Santiago de Cuba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1816% less than in Cayo Coco. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.