"U.S. is not just Florida, there is a world outside": Cuban surprises with what she pays living in one of the cheapest states

Diana, a Cuban in Oklahoma, shares her monthly expenses of $3,000 on TikTok, highlighting the affordability of the state compared to Florida. Her experience inspires other Cubans to consider this more economical option.

Cuban in the United StatesPhoto © TikTok / @dbetty_22

Diana, a Cuban living in the United States, has garnered the attention of hundreds of users on TikTok after posting a video where she candidly shares how much she spends each month to support her family living in Oklahoma. Her post not only surprised viewers with its detailed account but also with how affordable everything is, especially in comparison to expenses in places like Florida.

"How much do I spend living in Oklahoma?" she says at the beginning of her video. Diana (@dbetty_22 on TikTok) explains that she lives in a two-bedroom apartment for which she pays $1,100 a month, including water. She also points out that many of these homes offer laundry services at no additional cost. For food, her monthly budget is $700 for three people.

Electricity costs around 100 dollars, although it used to be cheaper. Gas costs her about 50 in the summer, but in winter it rises to 70 or 80 due to heating. One of the largest expenses is her daughter's daycare: 115 dollars a week, totaling about 460 a month. Fortunately, she gets a discount for being an employee.

He also mentioned that they recently refinanced the car, so the payment dropped to 280 dollars. On top of that, there are 160 for car insurance, 30 for the phone line, and 60 for the internet. In the end, when you consider everything, their monthly expenses are around 3,000 dollars. "Do you think that's a lot or a little?" he asked at the end of the video.

The question opened the floodgates for comments. Many Cubans living in Florida couldn't believe that such an amount could cover everything. One user commented: “Girl, compared to Florida it's super,” to which Diana replied bluntly: “The U.S. is not just Florida; there's a whole world out there.” And it seems she is not alone in her opinion: dozens of comments agreed that there are states that are much more affordable to start in.

Diana also responded to those who questioned her about having a car with a loan: “I know, I’m one of those who believes that the best option is to buy a car outright, but I had my reasons. Anyway, I'll be rid of that payment soon.” And to those who asked her how to move to that state, she even offered help: “Come on, get over here; I have rent and work for you.”

The video not only sparked curiosity but also served as a reference for other Cubans looking for more affordable alternatives to start anew in the United States. Diana, with her straightforward and realistic style, made it clear that being well-organized can make a difference… and that, definitely, Oklahoma is a much cheaper option.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cost of Living in Oklahoma for Cubans in the U.S.

How much does it cost to live in Oklahoma according to Diana's experience?

Living in Oklahoma costs approximately $3,000 per month, according to Diana, a Cuban who broke down her expenses on TikTok. This includes rent, food, electricity, gas, childcare, car insurance, phone, and internet, among other expenses.

Why is Oklahoma considered an affordable state to live in?

Oklahoma is considered an economic state because housing and utility costs are lower compared to states like Florida. Additionally, some services like laundry are included in the rent of many homes, and the overall cost of living is more affordable for people looking to start fresh in the U.S.

What are the main expenses of a family in Oklahoma?

The main expenses in Oklahoma for a family include rent, food, electricity, gas, childcare, car insurance, telephone, and internet. Diana, in her video, highlighted that her rent is 1,100 dollars per month, food costs 700 dollars for three people, and childcare costs 460 dollars per month.

How does the cost of living in Oklahoma compare to other states like Florida?

The cost of living in Oklahoma is considerably lower than in Florida. While in Oklahoma, monthly expenses are around $3,000, in Florida they can easily exceed $6,000, especially in cities like Miami, due to higher housing and service costs.

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Izabela Pecherska

Editor at CiberCuba. Graduated in Journalism from the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, Spain. Editor at El Mundo and PlayGround.