Cost of Living in Hulhumale - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,463 monthly including rent, or $493 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,588 with rent, or $993 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,714 including rent, or $1,493 for daily expenses alone.

Hulhumale sits 6–27% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 34% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Currency
Do you live in Hulhumale? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.03 MVR 93.0
$4.89 MVR 75.4
$13.05 MVR 201
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.48 MVR 609
$25.43 MVR 392
$118 MVR 1,826
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.15 MVR 141
$8.21 MVR 127
$10.10 MVR 156
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.83 MVR 74.5
$1.99 MVR 30.70
$11.59 MVR 179
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.88 MVR 75.3
$2.61 MVR 40.22
$9.77 MVR 151
Cappuccino
$3.58 MVR 55.2
$1.01 MVR 15.58
$7.84 MVR 121
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 MVR 25.53
$0.99 MVR 15.29
$3.97 MVR 61.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 MVR 4.80
$0.20 MVR 3.04
$3.02 MVR 46.53
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.56 MVR 24.00
$1.31 MVR 20.23
$2.21 MVR 34.11
White Bread (500g)
$1.62 MVR 25.03
$1.27 MVR 19.57
$2.27 MVR 35.04
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.33 MVR 5.12
$0.33 MVR 5.12
$2.35 MVR 36.18
Eggs
$1.83 MVR 28.22
$1.57 MVR 24.17
$2.36 MVR 36.33
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.26 MVR 50.2
$3.26 MVR 50.2
$16.30 MVR 251
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.99 MVR 92.4
$3.18 MVR 49.07
$14.05 MVR 217
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.40 MVR 145
$6.48 MVR 99.9
$14.25 MVR 220
Apples (1kg)
$3.85 MVR 59.4
$2.20 MVR 33.87
$14.58 MVR 225
Banana (1kg)
$3.06 MVR 47.25
$1.95 MVR 30.06
$6.45 MVR 99.5
Oranges (1kg)
$2.95 MVR 45.46
$1.97 MVR 30.31
$9.12 MVR 141
Tomato (1kg)
$2.67 MVR 41.11
$1.61 MVR 24.85
$8.52 MVR 131
Potato (1kg)
$1.29 MVR 19.84
$0.93 MVR 14.33
$2.97 MVR 45.82
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 MVR 17.10
$0.64 MVR 9.84
$3.17 MVR 48.89
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.14 MVR 33.04
$1.65 MVR 25.49
$3.96 MVR 61.1
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62 MVR 9.54
$0.33 MVR 5.09
$2.00 MVR 30.85
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.16 MVR 187
$3.18 MVR 49.03
$15.92 MVR 245
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.66 MVR 40.95
$1.90 MVR 29.31
$4.12 MVR 63.5
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 MVR 30.64
$1.97 MVR 30.33
$9.83 MVR 152
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.98 MVR 200
$9.09 MVR 140
$16.05 MVR 248
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.95 MVR 30.08
$1.95 MVR 30.08
$2.27 MVR 35.04
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.90 MVR 29.35
$1.90 MVR 29.35
$1.96 MVR 30.26
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.04 MVR 155
$6.50 MVR 100
$12.99 MVR 200
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.93 MVR 14.36
$0.83 MVR 12.75
$0.99 MVR 15.24
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.6K MVR 502.8K
$26.1K MVR 402.2K
$39.1K MVR 603.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.9K MVR 460.9K
$29.9K MVR 460.9K
$36.3K MVR 559.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$104 MVR 1,596
$64.7 MVR 998
$194 MVR 2,993
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.17 MVR 465
$25.12 MVR 387
$38.99 MVR 601
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.1 MVR 1,112
$38.45 MVR 593
$96.1 MVR 1,482
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$9.79 MVR 151
$7.84 MVR 121
$10.60 MVR 163
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$183 MVR 2,829
$129 MVR 1,983
$393 MVR 6,059
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,991 MVR 46.1K
$1,859 MVR 28.7K
$5,263 MVR 81.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.05 MVR 618
$16.44 MVR 253
$65.8 MVR 1,014
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.52 MVR 764
$22.65 MVR 349
$97.1 MVR 1,497
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.2 MVR 1,329
$74.4 MVR 1,147
$96.2 MVR 1,484
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.6 MVR 795
$38.21 MVR 589
$73.9 MVR 1,139
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,151 MVR 17.8K
$987 MVR 15.2K
$1,316 MVR 20.3K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$776 MVR 12.0K
$582 MVR 8,973
$970 MVR 15.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,249 MVR 34.7K
$1,606 MVR 24.8K
$2,891 MVR 44.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,295 MVR 35.4K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,449 MVR 84.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$502 MVR 7,739
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$713 MVR 11.0K
-
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: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,151 for a central one-bedroom, or $776 outside the center. At 161% of the average salary ($713), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $713, while typical expenses reach $1,463. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $193 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 5th 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

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
City tags:
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 $1,463 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $493. 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 $1,463 including rent, or roughly $493 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 $2,194 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 $1,151; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $776. Overall, the market runs from $776 to $1,151 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is food expensive in Hulhumale?
At about $193 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 $183 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 $1,463. 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 $1,463 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 $1,463, so putting money aside takes more than $2,194 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Hulhumale vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities