For one person, living costs in Hulhumale are estimated at $1,438 a month, including rent and utilities, which take almost two thirds of the total. Other living expenses average about $18 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Hulhumale actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,438 monthly including rent, or $559 excluding housing.
$1,438 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,595 with rent, or $957 without housing.
$2,595 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,752 including rent, or $1,354 for daily expenses alone.
$3,752 /mo
📊
Hulhumale sits 6–33% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 36% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0KMVR 493.5K
$25.6KMVR 394.8K
$38.4KMVR 592.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.4KMVR 453.9K
$29.4KMVR 453.9K
$35.7KMVR 551.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104MVR 1,597
$64.7MVR 998
$194MVR 2,995
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.71MVR 458
$24.72MVR 381
$38.39MVR 592
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.0MVR 1,125
$38.91MVR 600
$97.3MVR 1,500
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$9.84MVR 152
$7.87MVR 121
$10.64MVR 164
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$187MVR 2,882
$131MVR 2,021
$401MVR 6,176
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,984MVR 46.0K
$1,855MVR 28.6K
$5,252MVR 81.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.39MVR 607
$16.17MVR 249
$64.7MVR 997
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.44MVR 762
$22.61MVR 349
$96.9MVR 1,495
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.4MVR 1,332
$74.6MVR 1,150
$96.5MVR 1,488
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.9MVR 816
$39.18MVR 604
$75.7MVR 1,167
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,121MVR 17.3K
$961MVR 14.8K
$1,281MVR 19.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$775MVR 11.9K
$581MVR 8,957
$968MVR 14.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,292MVR 35.3K
$1,637MVR 25.2K
$2,947MVR 45.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,294MVR 35.4K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,300MVR 81.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$499MVR 7,689
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$725MVR 11.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14
10
15
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 11, 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.
Hulhumale$1,438
Hulhumale$3,752
🏠Accommodation & Living
$775 53.9%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$206 14.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$195 13.6%
🍽Eating Out
$128 8.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$103 7.1%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$20 * 1.4%
🚌Getting Around
$11 * 0.8%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$2.3K 61.1%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$236 6.3%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$480 12.8%
🍽Eating Out
$451 12%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$228 6.1%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$39 * 1.1%
🚌Getting Around
$23 * 0.6%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $1,121 for a central one-bedroom, or $775 outside the center. At 155% of the average salary ($725), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $725, while typical expenses reach $1,438. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $195 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $39.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.
Cost Highlights
⭐Hulhumale has the 4th cheapest rice worldwide
⭐3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia
⭐Internet is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Hulhumale - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Hulhumale overall, and who tends to find good value here?
Hulhumale offers a practical balance between Malé’s hustle and a calmer island pace, often delivering better value for longer stays than resort-heavy spots. You’ll find a mix of older flats and newer apartments, with options that fit modest budgets if you’re flexible about location and building age. Cost of Living in Hulhumale is shaped by local markets, shared transport, and self-catering habits, which help keep daily costs predictable. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, choosing a neighborhood near the bridge and leaning into communal spaces can stretch your budget further without sacrificing convenience. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and pick up local tips.
What does daily life look like in Hulhumale, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life centers on a compact footprint and accessible services. Housing search usually means scanning local listings for studio or one-bedroom units; many options cluster near the shoreline or main bus routes. Food can be affordable if you mix small local eateries with occasional takeout from larger stores; cooking at home with fish, vegetables, and staples saves money. Transport is straightforward: short hops via buses, taxis, or a rented scooter. Co-working spaces exist with reliable internet, and errands are manageable thanks to walkable neighborhoods and nearby markets. Hulhumale living cost stays reasonable when you blend lifestyle choices. Tip: Establish a weekly shopping routine and ask locals for reliable markets.
How can you evaluate quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit, considering seasonality and pace?
Quality of life here depends on choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace and routines. If you want a quieter routine, look for mid-rise buildings near parks or waterfronts and a short ride to Malé for occasional needs. Build a flexible budgeting approach that centers housing as a base, then allocate for groceries from local markets, occasional dining out, and dependable internet for work. Seasonal shifts affect beaches, crowds, and service hours, so plan around calmer periods when possible. Get a feel for neighborhoods by visiting at different times of day. Tip: Talk with residents and test during both peak and off hours.
What is the average cost of living in Hulhumale?
A single person in Hulhumale typically spends $1,438 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $559. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is the average cost of living in Hulhumale in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Hulhumale come to around $1,438 including rent, or roughly $559 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Hulhumale?
Around $2,156 take-home puts you in a comfortable spot in Hulhumale – enough for rent, food, bills, and a bit of savings. Drop below that and you'll probably need to share a flat, stick to cooking at home, or pick a neighborhood further out.
What are typical rents in Hulhumale?
Where you live in Hulhumale makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,121; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $775. Overall, the market runs from $775 to $1,121 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is food expensive in Hulhumale?
At about $195 monthly, food costs in Hulhumale sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.
How much does childcare cost in Hulhumale?
Childcare averages $187 monthly at a private kindergarten in Hulhumale. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Hulhumale?
Living on $1,000 in Hulhumale means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,438. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Hulhumale a good city for digital nomads?
Remote workers pick Hulhumale for good reason: low crime rates, family-friendly facilities, coastal lifestyle, all at about $1,438 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.
Can you save money living in Hulhumale?
Monthly expenses in Hulhumale run around $1,438, so putting money aside takes more than $2,156 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.