Cost of Living Comparison Between Santiago de Cuba and Mayari Cost of Living Comparison Between Santiago de Cuba and Mayari

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $62.4 in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,522 in Mayari.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $105 in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,904 in Mayari.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $147 in Santiago de Cuba versus $2,287 in Mayari.

Living in Santiago de Cuba costs roughly 96% less than in Mayari, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

The two cities straddle the global median: Santiago de Cuba is 95% below, Mayari is 14% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.96 CUP 143

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.66 CUP 472

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.62 CUP 159

Cappuccino

$1.27 CUP 30.54

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

$2.18 CUP 52.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 CUP 29.63

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.45 CUP 58.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 CUP 73.8

Milk (1 liter)

$3.90 CUP 93.7

$3.03 CUP 72.7

28.71%

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 CUP 20.03

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.49 CUP 59.8

Eggs

$1.99 CUP 47.67

$3.19 CUP 76.5

-37.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.96 CUP 143

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.40 CUP 130

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.73 CUP 282

Apples (1kg)

$5.01 CUP 120

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 CUP 28.28

Oranges (1kg)

$1.37 CUP 32.82

Tomato (1kg)

$1.49 CUP 35.65

Potato (1kg)

$1.89 CUP 45.24

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 CUP 70.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 CUP 24.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 CUP 25.84

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.46 CUP 83.0

Wine (Bottle)

$10.05 CUP 241

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 CUP 59.4

$1.70 CUP 40.75

45.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 CUP 60.8

$1.90 CUP 45.52

33.16%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.19 CUP 4.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.67 CUP 472

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.30 CUP 55.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.42 CUP 9.97

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.33 CUP 488

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 CUP 29.63

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

$71.4K CUP 1.7M

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

$78.8K CUP 1.9M

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

$35.35 CUP 848

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

$40.35 CUP 968

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$246 CUP 5,914

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.71 CUP 953

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.84 CUP 356

Cinema Ticket

$0.99 CUP 23.65

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

$118 CUP 2,836

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.4K CUP 416.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.4 CUP 1,328

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.55 CUP 949

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.31 CUP 1,088

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.82 CUP 1,196

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$211 CUP 5,062

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$665 CUP 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$599 CUP 14.4K

$384 CUP 9,216

56.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$689 CUP 16.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$392 CUP 9,404

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$349 CUP 8,382

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$21.67 CUP 520

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: April 28, 2026

Last update for Mayari: April 26, 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 Mayari: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Santiago de Cuba wins on cost – living expenses run 2338% lower than in Mayari. 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 $93.6 in Santiago de Cuba and $2,283 in Mayari 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 284% higher in Mayari. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $62.4 per month in Santiago de Cuba versus $1,522 in Mayari – a 2338% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Santiago de Cuba gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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 2338% less than in Mayari. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.