Cost of Living in Hulhumale - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,508 monthly including rent, or $587 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,649 with rent, or $1,065 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,789 including rent, or $1,543 for daily expenses alone.

Hulhumale sits 13–34% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 49% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.29 MVR 81.6
$4.17 MVR 64.3
$7.69 MVR 119
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.57 MVR 456
$19.71 MVR 304
$118 MVR 1,824
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 MVR 149
$7.72 MVR 119
$12.87 MVR 198
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.64 MVR 71.6
$3.32 MVR 51.3
$9.96 MVR 154
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 MVR 56.4
$2.55 MVR 39.30
$9.55 MVR 147
Cappuccino
$2.91 MVR 44.81
$0.97 MVR 14.88
$5.81 MVR 89.6
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MVR 19.62
$0.95 MVR 14.64
$3.81 MVR 58.7
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 MVR 4.18
$0.20 MVR 3.05
$3.04 MVR 46.95
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.77 MVR 27.31
$1.29 MVR 19.96
$2.25 MVR 34.67
White Bread (500g)
$1.63 MVR 25.09
$1.20 MVR 18.58
$3.56 MVR 54.9
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.33 MVR 5.09
$0.33 MVR 5.09
$2.34 MVR 36.14
Eggs
$1.60 MVR 24.74
$1.60 MVR 24.74
$2.41 MVR 37.11
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.15 MVR 126
$2.90 MVR 44.77
$16.78 MVR 259
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.09 MVR 93.8
$3.52 MVR 54.3
$14.11 MVR 218
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 MVR 139
$6.60 MVR 102
$12.88 MVR 199
Apples (1kg)
$4.09 MVR 63.0
$1.65 MVR 25.40
$6.55 MVR 101
Banana (1kg)
$3.86 MVR 59.5
$1.99 MVR 30.62
$6.56 MVR 101
Oranges (1kg)
$4.39 MVR 67.7
$1.19 MVR 18.42
$5.30 MVR 81.7
Tomato (1kg)
$3.33 MVR 51.3
$2.00 MVR 30.80
$8.80 MVR 136
Potato (1kg)
$1.49 MVR 22.97
$0.94 MVR 14.56
$2.53 MVR 39.03
Onion (1kg)
$1.22 MVR 18.79
$0.79 MVR 12.21
$1.98 MVR 30.53
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.16 MVR 48.79
$1.04 MVR 16.11
$7.83 MVR 121
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 MVR 8.23
$0.33 MVR 5.06
$2.00 MVR 30.85
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.33 MVR 190
$3.23 MVR 49.86
$16.15 MVR 249
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.61 MVR 40.17
$1.26 MVR 19.49
$4.10 MVR 63.3
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.45 MVR 146
$1.26 MVR 19.46
$15.75 MVR 243
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.94 MVR 122
$7.62 MVR 118
$14.61 MVR 225
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 MVR 30.86
$2.00 MVR 30.86
$2.00 MVR 30.86
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.90 MVR 29.31
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.91 MVR 153
$4.95 MVR 76.4
$16.51 MVR 255
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 MVR 13.90
$0.81 MVR 12.56
$0.94 MVR 14.50
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2K MVR 496.9K
$25.8K MVR 397.5K
$38.7K MVR 596.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.6K MVR 518.2K
$32.0K MVR 493.5K
$35.2K MVR 542.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$107 MVR 1,647
$78.2 MVR 1,205
$228 MVR 3,516
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.88 MVR 646
$26.29 MVR 405
$49.28 MVR 760
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.43 MVR 639
$41.43 MVR 639
$179 MVR 2,752
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.3 MVR 991
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.82 MVR 152
$8.51 MVR 131
$10.48 MVR 162
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$163 MVR 2,506
$107 MVR 1,654
$195 MVR 3,008
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,612 MVR 55.7K
$2,369 MVR 36.5K
$6,317 MVR 97.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.94 MVR 693
$13.02 MVR 201
$91.2 MVR 1,406
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.2 MVR 882
$19.72 MVR 304
$105 MVR 1,622
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.0 MVR 1,404
$32.99 MVR 509
$165 MVR 2,543
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.6 MVR 842
$32.90 MVR 507
$79.0 MVR 1,218
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,304 MVR 20.1K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 MVR 11.9K
$581 MVR 8,957
$968 MVR 14.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,932 MVR 45.2K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,279 MVR 35.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,382 MVR 83.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$496 MVR 7,654
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$721 MVR 11.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.4
8
15

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,304 for a central one-bedroom, or $774 outside the center. At 181% of the average salary ($721), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $721, while typical expenses reach $1,508. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $227 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $30.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Cost Highlights

Hulhumale has the 5th cheapest rice worldwide

3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

Hulhumale Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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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 $1,508 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $587. 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 $1,508 including rent, or roughly $587 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 $2,262 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 $1,304; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $774. Overall, the market runs from $774 to $1,304 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a typical grocery budget in Hulhumale?
Expect to spend around $227 per month on groceries in Hulhumale. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
How expensive is a gym membership in Hulhumale?
A regular gym membership in Hulhumale costs around $64.3 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Hulhumale?
Living on $1,000 in Hulhumale means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,508. 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 $1,508 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 $1,508, so putting money aside takes more than $2,262 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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