Cost of Living in Hulhumale - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,495 monthly including rent, or $671 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,699 with rent, or $1,087 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,904 including rent, or $1,503 for daily expenses alone.

Hulhumale sits 12–38% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 43% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.43 MVR 83.7
$4.27 MVR 65.9
$7.89 MVR 122
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.78 MVR 459
$19.85 MVR 306
$119 MVR 1,837
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.82 MVR 151
$7.86 MVR 121
$13.09 MVR 202
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.67 MVR 72.0
$3.34 MVR 51.5
$10.02 MVR 154
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 MVR 56.8
$2.57 MVR 39.60
$9.62 MVR 148
Cappuccino
$2.94 MVR 45.39
$0.98 MVR 15.08
$5.89 MVR 90.8
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 MVR 20.44
$0.99 MVR 15.25
$3.97 MVR 61.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 MVR 3.81
$0.18 MVR 2.79
$2.78 MVR 42.84
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.78 MVR 27.45
$1.30 MVR 20.06
$2.26 MVR 34.85
White Bread (500g)
$1.54 MVR 23.80
$1.14 MVR 17.62
$3.38 MVR 52.1
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.30 MVR 4.69
$0.30 MVR 4.69
$2.16 MVR 33.27
Eggs
$1.53 MVR 23.52
$1.53 MVR 23.52
$2.29 MVR 35.28
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.16 MVR 126
$2.91 MVR 44.80
$16.80 MVR 259
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.03 MVR 93.0
$3.49 MVR 53.8
$13.99 MVR 216
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.60 MVR 133
$6.30 MVR 97.1
$12.28 MVR 189
Apples (1kg)
$3.94 MVR 60.8
$1.59 MVR 24.49
$6.31 MVR 97.4
Banana (1kg)
$3.88 MVR 59.9
$2.00 MVR 30.79
$6.60 MVR 102
Oranges (1kg)
$4.23 MVR 65.3
$1.15 MVR 17.77
$5.11 MVR 78.8
Tomato (1kg)
$3.22 MVR 49.64
$1.93 MVR 29.78
$8.51 MVR 131
Potato (1kg)
$1.50 MVR 23.20
$0.95 MVR 14.71
$2.56 MVR 39.43
Onion (1kg)
$1.18 MVR 18.25
$0.77 MVR 11.86
$1.92 MVR 29.65
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.08 MVR 47.51
$1.02 MVR 15.69
$7.62 MVR 118
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 MVR 7.77
$0.31 MVR 4.78
$1.89 MVR 29.14
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.24 MVR 189
$3.22 MVR 49.58
$16.06 MVR 248
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.62 MVR 40.34
$1.27 MVR 19.57
$4.12 MVR 63.5
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.03 MVR 155
$1.34 MVR 20.64
$16.71 MVR 258
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.24 MVR 127
$7.91 MVR 122
$15.16 MVR 234
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.99 MVR 30.75
$1.99 MVR 30.75
$1.99 MVR 30.75
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.91 MVR 29.47
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.71 MVR 150
$4.86 MVR 74.9
$16.18 MVR 250
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 MVR 14.73
$0.86 MVR 13.30
$1.00 MVR 15.36
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.3K MVR 498.5K
$25.9K MVR 398.8K
$38.8K MVR 598.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.7K MVR 520.1K
$32.1K MVR 495.3K
$35.3K MVR 544.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$105 MVR 1,626
$77.2 MVR 1,190
$225 MVR 3,471
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.32 MVR 637
$25.93 MVR 400
$48.61 MVR 750
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.98 MVR 663
$42.98 MVR 663
$185 MVR 2,855
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$65.1 MVR 1,003
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.95 MVR 153
$8.62 MVR 133
$10.61 MVR 164
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$160 MVR 2,460
$105 MVR 1,624
$191 MVR 2,952
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,505 MVR 54.0K
$2,299 MVR 35.4K
$6,130 MVR 94.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.62 MVR 704
$13.22 MVR 204
$92.6 MVR 1,427
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.4 MVR 885
$19.77 MVR 305
$105 MVR 1,627
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.5 MVR 1,395
$32.79 MVR 506
$164 MVR 2,528
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.9 MVR 815
$31.84 MVR 491
$76.4 MVR 1,178
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,312 MVR 20.2K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$772 MVR 11.9K
$579 MVR 8,930
$965 MVR 14.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,943 MVR 45.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,229 MVR 34.4K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,431 MVR 83.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$500 MVR 7,712
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$726 MVR 11.2K
-
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: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,312 for a central one-bedroom, or $772 outside the center. At 181% of the average salary ($726), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $726, while typical expenses reach $1,495. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $222 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 $1,495 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $671. 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 $1,495 including rent, or roughly $671 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 $2,242 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 $1,312; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $772. Overall, the market runs from $772 to $1,312 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a typical grocery budget in Hulhumale?
Expect to spend around $222 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 $65.1 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 $1,495. 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 $1,495 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 $1,495, so putting money aside takes more than $2,242 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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