A Cuban woman who has called Barcelona home for the past 25 years has reignited a long-standing debate within the diaspora: Is life better in Spain or the United States? Known online as @dailyluna, this content creator posted a nearly six-minute video on TikTok on July 17, sparking a lively conversation among Cuban emigrants residing in both countries.
Filmed at her friend Dulce's home, the video begins with an observation that the TikToker finds telling: most of the Cubans she knows in the U.S. seem to follow a similar life plan.
"The plan for Cubans there is to work themselves to the bone in the U.S. and then come back here," she summarizes, interpreting this pattern as evidence that Spain offers a superior quality of life.
She argues that in Spain, one can live comfortably on a monthly income of 1,000 to 1,400 euros, without the need for multiple jobs. "In Spain, you can live wonderfully. We are happy with 1,000 euros," she declares in the video.
Comparing the Cost of Living
One of her most concrete points is the comparison of fixed expenses. Her third-party car insurance costs 250 euros annually, whereas her mother in the U.S. pays 350 dollars monthly. Additionally, she notes that three people in her household cover all food and hygiene product costs with 500 to 600 euros per month.
On the employment front, she highlights that Spain guarantees a month of paid vacation annually, and holiday work is paid double. In contrast, U.S. workers, based on her experience, often have only 15 days off, with not everyone taking advantage of them. Supporting this difference, Spain legally mandates 30 days of paid leave, while the U.S. lacks a federal minimum, with the private sector averaging 10 to 11 days after the first year of service.
Healthcare and Education: Key Benefits
The TikToker emphasizes healthcare and education as significant advantages in Spain. "Schools are free, and healthcare is also free," she notes, adding that the absence of school shootings is a priceless aspect of peace of mind.
While the economic contrast between the two countries is real, it is nuanced. The average salary in the U.S. nearly doubles that of Spain—about 76,971 euros compared to 35,121 euros—but the cost of living in America exceeds that of Spain by 20% to 55%. Health insurance is a particularly heavy expense, with the average family cost surpassing 26,993 dollars annually by 2025. Numbeo's quality of life index places the U.S. slightly above Spain (192.1 versus 187.2), although both countries fall under the "very high" category. Life expectancy, however, favors Spain: 83.2 years compared to 78.5 in the U.S.
The Ongoing Debate Among Cuban Emigrants
This ongoing debate among Cuban emigrants often polarizes between those who favor the high salaries and lifestyle of the U.S. and those who appreciate the peacefulness and public services of Spain. The trend of Cubans working in the U.S. with plans to retire in Spain has grown, fueled by Spain's Democratic Memory Law, which provides pathways to citizenship through ancestry. By 2025, the Spanish Consulate in Miami had over 17,000 active applications under this route.
The creator, settled in Barcelona for a quarter-century with no plans to relocate, ended the video with a tongue-in-cheek suggestion for Cubans in Miami: "I recommend to the Cubans in Miami who are thinking of coming to Spain to stay there in the U.S., where you said you would make your fortune, and let us be here in Spain, where we are few and doing well."
Exploring the Best Living Conditions for Cubans
What are the primary factors Cubans consider when choosing between Spain and the U.S.?
Cubans often weigh factors such as quality of life, cost of living, job opportunities, public services, and safety when deciding between Spain and the U.S.
How does the cost of living compare between Spain and the United States?
While the average salary in the U.S. is higher, the cost of living, particularly in areas like health insurance, is significantly more in the U.S. than in Spain.
Why do some Cubans in the U.S. plan to retire in Spain?
Many Cubans in the U.S. aim to retire in Spain due to its public services, lower cost of living, and the possibility of obtaining citizenship through Spain's Democratic Memory Law.