For one person, living costs in Mahé are estimated at $1,792 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about half of the total. Other living expenses average about $29 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mahé actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,792 monthly including rent, or $880 excluding housing.
$1,792 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,629 with rent, or $1,598 without housing.
$2,629 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,467 including rent, or $2,316 for daily expenses alone.
$3,467 /mo
📊
Mahé sits 23–33% above the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 98% above average – among the most expensive in the region.
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$49.77SCR 723
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.58SCR 313
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$110SCR 1,596
$73.2SCR 1,064
$146SCR 2,128
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.6SCR 764
$49.76SCR 723
$55.4SCR 804
Cinema Ticket
$6.35SCR 92.2
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.37SCR 441
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$12.15SCR 176
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.67SCR 707
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.5SCR 893
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$860SCR 12.5K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$862SCR 12.5K
$652SCR 9,470
$1,073SCR 15.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,820SCR 26.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,101SCR 16.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$869SCR 12.6K
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 12, 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.
Mahé$1,792
Mahé$3,467
🏠Accommodation & Living
$862 48.1%
🍽Eating Out
$328 * 18.3%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$247 * 13.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$181 10.1%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$69 3.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$65 3.6%
🚌Getting Around
$39 * 2.2%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.1K 31.8%
🍽Eating Out
$1.2K * 34.5%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$605 * 17.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$203 5.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$153 4.4%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$131 * 3.8%
🚌Getting Around
$80 * 2.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $860 for a central one-bedroom, or $862 outside the center. At 99% of the average salary ($869), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $869, while typical expenses reach $1,792. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $247 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $107 for two – above the African average of $41.00.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $36.03 per month – roughly in line with the African average of $30.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Mahé has the 2nd most expensive local beer in Africa
⭐Mahé has the 3rd most expensive cappuccino in Africa
⭐Mahé has the 4th most expensive 1-bedroom apartment, outside city center in Africa
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Ride waves using a surfboard — ideal for coastal towns with steady swells
Cost of Living in Mahé - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Mahe, Seychelles compare to other popular destinations for travelers and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Mahe, Seychelles tends to be higher than many mainland destinations, largely due to import costs and a tourism-driven service sector. Basic groceries arrive by ship or plane, and services reflect a high value on quality and reliability. Housing varies by neighborhood, with smaller apartments and guesthouses common outside the main towns. Seasonal demand can affect availability and length of stays; planning ahead helps. Tip: Plan a flexible budget for housing, groceries, and transport as prices shift with tourism.
What does daily life look like in Mahe, Seychelles in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
When weighing Mahe, Seychelles living cost, start by choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace – Victoria for services, Beau Vallon for beach proximity, or the calmer inner valleys. Housing often means compact apartments or guesthouses; look for long-term leases if possible. Food options lean on local markets, seafood, and affordable staples; cooking at home is common. Transport relies on a network of buses, shared taxis, and occasional rental scooters. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi support remote work. Tip: Visit a few neighborhoods in different seasons to gauge how noise, crowd, and prices vary.
What strategies help you keep a good quality of life on Mahe, Seychelles while budgeting and choosing a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle?
Adopt a practical budgeting framework: separate housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, then adjust as seasons and occupancy shift. Prioritize neighborhoods that blend quiet residential streets with access to markets and ferries, and give yourself a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. Cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and using public transport can stretch the budget without sacrificing lifestyle. Seasonal variations influence availability and pricing for rentals and activities, so consider flexible stays. Tip: test longer stays in two or more areas to find your fit.
Is Mahé expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Mahé is moderately priced at about $1,792 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Mahé?
With 99% of the average paycheck going to rent, Mahé is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What is a good salary in Mahé?
Earning $2,688 monthly in Mahé means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Mahé?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Mahé range from $862 to $860, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How much is public transport in Mahé?
A monthly transit pass in Mahé goes for roughly $36.03, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What is a typical grocery budget in Mahé?
Expect to spend around $247 per month on groceries in Mahé. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Mahé?
Living on $2,000 in Mahé means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,792. 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 Mahé good for expats?
Expats in Mahé enjoy fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and monthly costs average around $1,792. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
Can you save money living in Mahé?
Monthly expenses in Mahé run around $1,792, so putting money aside takes more than $2,688 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.