Can you live in Madrid with 1,200 euros a month and still manage to save? A Cuban resident in the Spanish capital shared on TikTok how much she earns, what her monthly expenses are, and how she organizes her budget to make it to the end of the month with money left over.
The young woman, identified as Betsabé (@betsabe_mayara_), explained in a video posted on TikTok that she used a salary of 1,200 euros per month as a reference to show how much money she needs to cover her basic expenses in Spain.
"Let's say you earn 1,200 euros, which is the minimum you would make in a 40-hour job," the Cuban commented as she began her breakdown. This is an amount used as an example and should not be confused with the legal minimum wage, which is set in gross terms and depends on how payments are distributed.
The most significant expense in her budget is rent. Betsabé explained that she pays 400 euros for rent, to which she adds the utilities of the home, such as water and electricity. Altogether, she claims that she usually does not exceed 450 euros per month for this item.
"The biggest expense would be the rent, which depends on the area and the condition of each apartment. In my case, it would be 400 euros plus expenses. Normally, I don't spend more than 450 euros a month, including water, electricity, everything," she detailed.
In terms of food, the young woman allocates approximately 200 euros per month. As she explained, this budget allows her to organize four meals a day, including snacks, since she cooks only for herself.
Another of his expenses is public transport, for which he pays 32 euros per month to travel by metro and bus around Madrid. However, he noted that the amount may increase depending on the area where each person lives and the routes they need to take.
To these expenses, add about 50 euros for personal care and household cleaning products, 25 euros for the gym, and approximately 7 euros for your phone line.
"I'm at the cheapest one and with the lowest rate," he clarified about the gym, one of the expenses he has managed to keep minimized.
Adding the amounts mentioned, her monthly expenses total 764 euros, which means that, starting from an income of 1,200 euros, she would have 436 euros remaining. However, Betsabé estimates her savings at 433 euros per month.
"A total of 433 euros saved each month without buying clothes, without subscriptions, without going out to parties," the young woman concluded, making it clear that this savings relies on keeping her expenses within the established limits.
One of the most striking aspects of their budget is the cost of housing. The 400 euros they pay in rent is below the usual prices for rooms in shared apartments in Madrid. According to data published by La Razón, the average rent for a room in the capital reached 605 euros per month in July 2026, although the conditions and included utilities may vary.
Betsabé's experience contrasts with that of other Cubans living in Spain who have shared their struggles to make ends meet. A Cuban family of four revealed their monthly expenses and explained that, despite having a combined income of 2,000 euros, they barely had 400 euros left after covering their basic needs.
Spain has become one of the main destinations for Cuban emigration. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, 252,290 people born in Cuba were residing in Spanish territory at the beginning of 2025, a figure that reflects the growth of this community in recent years.
With her video, Betsabé aimed to provide a reference point for those considering starting a new life outside of Cuba, even though her budget reflects her personal circumstances and does not necessarily represent the cost of living for all residents in Madrid.
"I hope this video has helped you clarify whether you want to emigrate to Spain or not," he stated at the end of his explanation.
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