A Cuban residing abroad recently shared on TikTok her experience of grocery shopping during a visit to Cuba, revealing costs that far exceed the country's minimum monthly wage. The video, posted by Jennifer González under the handle @jennifergonzalez2501, displays a bag filled with essential items, totaling approximately 8,750 Cuban pesos.
"I'm in Cuba, and I went out shopping because I needed a few things, so let's see how much I spent on these bags," the young woman states at the beginning of the 54-second clip.
The itemized list and their prices speak volumes: malangas at 900 pesos, a bag of bread for 500 pesos, two avocados at 100 pesos each, two detergent packs at 1,000 pesos each, a bunch of burro bananas for 150 pesos, a pound of bacon at 2,000 pesos, and two pounds of ribs for 3,000 pesos.
The total cost of this purchase equals nearly three monthly minimum wages in Cuba, which have been set at a mere 3,210 pesos since July 2026, following a 53% increase from the previous 2,100 pesos. The average state salary hovers around 7,000 pesos per month, which also falls short of affording a similar purchase.
Under the informal market exchange rate, the situation becomes even more stark: the dollar hit a record high of 750 pesos on the same Tuesday the video was posted, converting those 8,750 pesos into roughly $11.67.
The disparity with Cuban incomes is striking. Recent estimates suggest that living in Havana costs a small family about 205,000 pesos monthly, while a single individual needs around 96,000 pesos to cover basic expenses, amounts significantly higher than state salaries.
Additional price references from September 2026 further highlight the crisis's severity: a pound of chicken reaches up to 800 pesos, an onion costs 910 pesos each, eggs are sold at 150 pesos per unit, and oil prices range between 3,650 and 7,000 pesos per liter.
This type of shopping video has become a common genre on social media, where Cubans both on the island and abroad document and discuss food prices. Other Cubans have showcased what 5,000 pesos can buy, serving as a popular gauge of a crisis where official inflation reached 25.19% year-on-year in August 2026.
Jennifer González concluded her video by inviting her followers to weigh in: "Let me know what you think, if you find it expensive or reasonable."
Cost of Living in Cuba: Key Questions Answered
How much is the minimum wage in Cuba as of 2026?
The minimum wage in Cuba was set at 3,210 pesos in July 2026 following a 53% increase from the previous rate of 2,100 pesos.
What is the average monthly salary for a state worker in Cuba?
The average monthly salary for a state worker in Cuba is approximately 7,000 pesos.
How does the informal exchange rate affect the cost of goods?
With the dollar valued at 750 pesos on the informal market, the cost of 8,750 pesos translates to roughly $11.67, highlighting the disparity between income and expenses.