Cost of living comparison

 South Africa
compared to
 Cuba
Cuba vs. South Africa Cost of Living Summary

Cuba is 41.7% more expensive than South Africa overall.

Restaurants
pay 50.7% more in Cuba
Groceries
pay 64.9% more in Cuba
Transportation
pay 38.9% more in Cuba
Housing
pay 65.0% more in Cuba
Childcare
pay 84.0% more in Cuba
Entertainment and Sports
pay 4.4% less in Cuba
Clothing
pay 7.5% less in Cuba

The cost of childcare, housing, groceries, restaurants, and transportation in Cuba are more expensive than in South Africa. Expenses including clothing and entertainment and sports are lower in Cuba. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Cuba.

Cuba vs. South Africa Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Cuba instead of South Africa, you would:

pay 50.7% more for restaurants

 
South Africa
Cuba
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $8.97
ZAR168.87
$5.06
CUC5.06
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$4.77
ZAR89.79
$7.75
CUC7.75
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $0.95
ZAR17.96
$2.08
CUC2.08

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pay 64.9% more for groceries

 
South Africa
Cuba
Bread
1 loaf
$0.99
ZAR18.64
$1.17
CUC1.17
Local cheese (8 oz) $3.67
ZAR69.17
$2.75
CUC2.75
Milk (1 gallon) $4.20
ZAR79.02
$11.92
CUC11.92

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pay 38.9% more for transportation

 
South Africa
Cuba
Gasoline (1 gallon) $4.99
ZAR93.89
$4.81
CUC4.81
Monthly public transit pass $52.31
ZAR984.55
$22.50
CUC22.50
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $20,607.77
ZAR387,861.11
$65,000.00
CUC65,000.00

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pay 65.0% more for housing

 
South Africa
Cuba
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$41.37
ZAR778.62
$147.50
CUC147.50
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $382.55
ZAR7,200.09
$381.94
CUC381.94
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $326.35
ZAR6,142.22
$544.70
CUC544.70

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pay 84.0% more for childcare

 
South Africa
Cuba
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $174.12
ZAR3,277.06
$101.00
CUC101.00
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $4,033.53
ZAR75,915.47
$12,500.00
CUC12,500.00

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pay 4.4% less for entertainment and sports

 
South Africa
Cuba
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $2.11
ZAR39.67
$2.88
CUC2.88
Cappuccino in mid-range area $1.88
ZAR35.44
$1.10
CUC1.10
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$2.90
ZAR54.66
$3.85
CUC3.85

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pay 7.5% less for clothing

 
South Africa
Cuba
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$47.72
ZAR898.05
$39.88
CUC39.88
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$32.06
ZAR603.39
$31.83
CUC31.83
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$90.39
ZAR1,701.22
$75.62
CUC75.62

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: April 2025
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