A Cuban resident in Detroit, Michigan, shared a detailed breakdown of her household income and expenses on TikTok, aiming to reveal "the truth behind the reality" of many migrants in the United States.
In the video posted by the user @aniskaruizjimenez, the young woman explains that three people live in her house: her husband, her daughter, and herself. All three work, and together they generate a monthly income of $7,000.
However, fixed and variable expenses consume the majority of that amount. As detailed:
Rent: 1,200 dollars.
Water: 70 dollars (fixed rate).
Electricity: between 200 and 250 dollars in the summer; higher in the winter due to constant heating use.
Cars (financing): $1,989 for three vehicles.
Car insurance: $768 per month.
Phones and internet: $376 (family plan with the latest model devices, smartwatches, and home internet service).
Food: around 800 dollars a month, not including hygiene, gas, and other expenses.
Health insurance: monthly payments for the whole family.
Help family members in Cuba: remittances sent to your parents and other relatives.
In addition to those costs, there are also expenses for clothing, footwear, and "personal preferences," which the Cuban considers part of the life she wants to maintain in the United States: "I didn't come to this country to live like a pig or to be in need; I have to live better here than I did in Cuba," she stated.
The woman did not provide an exact total of the expenses but invited her followers to do the calculations and decide if, given that level of income and commitments, it is really possible to save money living in Detroit.
Her testimony sparked debate among TikTok users, with some highlighting the high cost of maintaining three vehicles and state-of-the-art electronic equipment, while others agreed that expenses in the United States are so high that many families can barely cover the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cost of Living in the United States for Cuban Migrants
How much does it cost to live in Detroit, Michigan, for a Cuban family?
A Cuban resident in Detroit shared that her family of three has a monthly income of $7,000, but expenses are significant. The rent is $1,200, the cost of utilities such as water and electricity can vary, and the financing for three vehicles totals $1,989, among other expenses like car insurance, food, and phones. This leaves little room for savings.
Is it more expensive to live in Detroit than in Miami?
Comparing the testimonies of Cuban women living in Detroit and Miami, both cities have high living costs, but the distribution of expenses differs. For instance, in Miami, the rent for a two-bedroom apartment can go up to $2,500, while in Detroit, the rent is $1,200. However, the cost of maintaining three vehicles in Detroit is significantly high.
How does the cost of living in the U.S. affect the remittances sent to Cuba?
The high cost of living in the United States limits the savings capacity and, consequently, the amount of money that migrants can send to their families in Cuba. Many Cubans in the U.S. face the pressure to send remittances, which is complicated by high local expenses. This often creates tensions and unmet expectations between those who send and those who receive the money.
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