For one person, living is cheaper in Pakistan: $483 a month against $1,476 in the Maldives, rent and utilities included – about $11,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
How much you'll spend in Pakistan and in the Maldives
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pakistan and in the Maldives actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $483 in Pakistan versus $1,476 in the Maldives.
Pakistan $483
Maldives $1,476
Estimated couple costs with rent: $736 in Pakistan versus $2,376 in the Maldives.
Pakistan $736
Maldives $2,376
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $988 in Pakistan versus $3,276 in the Maldives.
Pakistan $988
Maldives $3,276
📏
Internal cost variation is higher in the Maldives: monthly costs span $45 to $1,503, compared to $291–$607 in Pakistan. City choice carries more weight in the Maldives.
🌍
Living in Pakistan costs about 67% less than in the Maldives on average.
📊
Pakistan (65% below) and the Maldives (8% above) straddle the global median.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.11PKR 583
$6.31MVR 97.3
-66.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.97PKR 3,866
$50.4MVR 778
-72.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.50PKR 1,523
$9.74MVR 150
-43.53%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22PKR 616
$4.95MVR 76.4
-55.15%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.31PKR 1,193
$9.89MVR 153
-56.42%
Cappuccino
$1.97PKR 546
$3.31MVR 51.0
-40.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38PKR 105
$1.59MVR 24.46
-76.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 63.7
$0.29MVR 4.44
-20.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87PKR 240
$1.85MVR 28.58
-52.97%
White Bread(500g)
$0.60PKR 165
$1.56MVR 24.10
-61.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21PKR 335
$1.04MVR 16.04
16.35%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 334
$1.74MVR 26.81
-30.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.42PKR 1,500
$6.33MVR 97.6
-14.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.83PKR 783
$6.49MVR 100
-56.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.06PKR 1,400
$10.13MVR 156
-50.05%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20PKR 331
$4.00MVR 61.6
-70.00%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64PKR 176
$3.00MVR 46.33
-78.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.87PKR 241
$3.86MVR 59.5
-77.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54PKR 149
$2.58MVR 39.79
-79.07%
Potato(1kg)
$0.33PKR 91.8
$1.76MVR 27.08
-81.25%
Onion(1kg)
$0.39PKR 108
$1.75MVR 27.05
-77.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.37PKR 104
$2.11MVR 32.53
-82.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.61MVR 9.37
-32.79%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.08PKR 575
$11.13MVR 172
-81.31%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07PKR 296
$2.47MVR 38.09
-56.68%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36PKR 652
$4.63MVR 71.4
-49.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14PKR 593
$15.03MVR 232
-85.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.0
$0.62MVR 9.54
-67.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.01PKR 2,768
$28.37MVR 437
-64.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88PKR 243
$1.97MVR 30.35
-55.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56PKR 155
$1.90MVR 29.24
-70.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.22PKR 614
$8.30MVR 128
-73.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29PKR 357
$0.99MVR 15.29
30.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8KPKR 4.9M
$31.9KMVR 492.1K
-44.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3KPKR 6.7M
$30.8KMVR 474.3K
-20.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110PKR 30.5K
$129MVR 1,993
-14.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.41PKR 1,496
$30.04MVR 463
-81.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.79PKR 4,369
$68.3MVR 1,054
-76.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.50PKR 5,119
$62.7MVR 967
-70.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.09PKR 3,067
$20.86MVR 322
-46.84%
Cinema Ticket
$4.32PKR 1,195
$8.98MVR 139
-51.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$56.4PKR 15.6K
$181MVR 2,795
-68.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,511PKR 418.2K
$2,834MVR 43.7K
-46.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.56PKR 4,859
$38.11MVR 588
-53.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.58PKR 6,523
$50.0MVR 771
-52.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.7PKR 21.2K
$86.1MVR 1,327
-10.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.08PKR 9,706
$52.4MVR 808
-33.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$150PKR 41.5K
$930MVR 14.3K
-83.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$87.4PKR 24.2K
$678MVR 10.5K
-87.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$320PKR 88.7K
$1,939MVR 29.9K
-83.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$190PKR 52.5K
$1,484MVR 22.9K
-87.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$970PKR 268.5K
$2,663MVR 41.1K
-63.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$520PKR 144.0K
$776MVR 12.0K
-32.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pakistan
Maldives
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$192PKR 53.2K
$781MVR 12.0K
-75.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.1
14
0.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pakistan: October 25, 2026
Last update for the Maldives: October 25, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
$131 27.2%
Maldives
$228 15.4% ↑ 73.1%$96
🛒Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
$94 19.5%
Maldives
$218 14.8% ↑ 132%$124
🏠Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
$87 18.1%
Maldives
$678 46% ↑ 677%$591
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
$69 14.3%
Maldives
$102 6.9% ↑ 48.2%$33
🍽Eating Out
Pakistan
$59 12.3%
Maldives
$127 8.6% ↑ 113%$67
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
$27 5.6%
Maldives
$81 5.5% ↑ 197%$54
🚌Getting Around
Pakistan
$14 3%
Maldives
$42 2.9% ↑ 192%$28
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
$137 13.9%
Maldives
$258 7.9% ↑ 88.2%$121
🛒Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
$228 23%
Maldives
$534 16.3% ↑ 135%$307
🏠Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
$190 19.2%
Maldives
$1.5K 45.3% ↑ 682%$1.3K
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
$153 15.5%
Maldives
$227 6.9% ↑ 48.2%$74
🍽Eating Out
Pakistan
$186 18.9%
Maldives
$505 15.4% ↑ 171%$319
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
$65 6.6%
Maldives
$182 5.6% ↑ 179%$117
🚌Getting Around
Pakistan
$29 3%
Maldives
$86 2.6% ↑ 192%$56
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $137 in Pakistan, $805 in the Maldives. Capital cities: $261 in Islamabad vs $939 in Male.
💰National salary averages: $185 in Pakistan, $736 in the Maldives. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 488% higher in the Maldives.
⭐Dining out costs 200% more in the Maldives.
⭐Public transport is 150% more expensive in the Maldives.
⭐Salaries are about 4 times higher in the Maldives, and purchasing power comes out stronger in the Maldives.
Pakistan→Maldives3,280 km≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
Pakistan
Maldives
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Pakistan vs Maldives: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is more expensive to live in: the Maldives or Pakistan?
At $1,476 per month in the Maldives and $483 in Pakistan, Pakistan comes out about 67% cheaper. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: the Maldives or Pakistan?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in Pakistan: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
How do rents compare between the Maldives and Pakistan?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $805 in the Maldives and $137 in Pakistan. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
How far does $1,000 go in the Maldives compared to Pakistan?
In Pakistan, $1,000 covers most cities easily; in the Maldives it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you’ll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
How do I choose between living in the Maldives and in Pakistan?
It depends on what you’re after: Pakistan wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.