Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Maldives
Address: MV

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $699 (excluding rent), and $1,476 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,753 (excluding rent), and $3,252 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.11 MVR 94.3

$3.96 MVR 61.1

$11.83 MVR 182

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.39 MVR 746

$19.35 MVR 298

$116 MVR 1,791

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.96 MVR 154

$7.96 MVR 123

$13.27 MVR 205

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.75 MVR 73.2

$3.28 MVR 50.5

$9.82 MVR 151

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.98 MVR 92.2

$4.85 MVR 74.8

$9.71 MVR 150

Cappuccino

$3.02 MVR 46.57

$0.95 MVR 14.67

$5.73 MVR 88.3

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 MVR 22.11

$0.98 MVR 15.1

$3.03 MVR 46.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 MVR 4.92

$0.18 MVR 2.83

$0.63 MVR 9.68

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 MVR 27.14

$1.33 MVR 20.51

$2.32 MVR 35.82

White Bread (500g)

$1.5 MVR 23.13

$0.95 MVR 14.57

$3.37 MVR 52

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 MVR 18.09

$0.33 MVR 5.08

$2.34 MVR 36.02

Eggs

$1.58 MVR 24.36

$1.15 MVR 17.7

$2.3 MVR 35.41

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.17 MVR 126

$3 MVR 46.21

$17.33 MVR 267

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.28 MVR 96.8

$1.65 MVR 25.45

$9.26 MVR 143

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.84 MVR 152

$6.42 MVR 99

$12.84 MVR 198

Apples (1kg)

$4.03 MVR 62.1

$1.6 MVR 24.67

$5.13 MVR 79

Banana (1kg)

$3.82 MVR 58.8

$1.66 MVR 25.55

$6.59 MVR 102

Oranges (1kg)

$3.84 MVR 59.2

$1.18 MVR 18.17

$5.23 MVR 80.6

Tomato (1kg)

$3.57 MVR 55.1

$1.64 MVR 25.36

$4.28 MVR 66.1

Potato (1kg)

$1.44 MVR 22.28

$0.96 MVR 14.8

$1.93 MVR 29.75

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 MVR 18.84

$0.8 MVR 12.35

$2 MVR 30.87

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.44 MVR 37.62

$1.03 MVR 15.84

$7.69 MVR 119

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 MVR 10.04

$0.33 MVR 5.1

$1 MVR 15.46

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$9.5 MVR 147

$3.8 MVR 58.6

$31.69 MVR 489

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.7 MVR 41.68

$1.31 MVR 20.22

$4.26 MVR 65.6

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.26 MVR 127

$1.31 MVR 20.27

$16.41 MVR 253

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.1 MVR 125

$6.95 MVR 107

$15.2 MVR 234

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 MVR 9.79

$0.44 MVR 6.78

$0.95 MVR 14.61

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.51 MVR 440

$19.67 MVR 303

$32.8 MVR 506

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.93 MVR 29.75

$1.6 MVR 24.72

$1.93 MVR 29.75

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 MVR 29.57

$1.59 MVR 24.57

$1.92 MVR 29.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.33 MVR 128

$5 MVR 77.1

$16.67 MVR 257

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.9 MVR 13.84

$0.8 MVR 12.37

$1.05 MVR 16.2

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.8K MVR 491K

$25.5K MVR 392.8K

$38.2K MVR 589.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$30.6K MVR 472.3K

$36.1K MVR 556.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$116 MVR 1,791

$78.2 MVR 1,205

$163 MVR 2,511

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$41.45 MVR 639

$26.02 MVR 401

$48.78 MVR 752

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.7 MVR 1,090

$41.76 MVR 644

$116 MVR 1,783

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 MVR 1,197

$52.9 MVR 815

$99.1 MVR 1,528

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.41 MVR 561

$13.24 MVR 204

$36.41 MVR 561

Cinema Ticket

$9.38 MVR 145

$7.9 MVR 122

$9.88 MVR 152

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$171 MVR 2,643

$130 MVR 2,011

$196 MVR 3,016

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,315 MVR 51.1K

$2,279 MVR 35.1K

$6,251 MVR 96.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.65 MVR 658

$13.12 MVR 202

$65.6 MVR 1,012

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.95 MVR 770

$19.01 MVR 293

$96.7 MVR 1,491

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.8 MVR 1,261

$38.66 MVR 596

$98.3 MVR 1,516

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54 MVR 833

$39.28 MVR 606

$78.6 MVR 1,211

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,015 MVR 15.7K

$861 MVR 13.3K

$1,324 MVR 20.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$690 MVR 10.6K

$588 MVR 9,072

$1,046 MVR 16.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,626 MVR 25.1K

$1,282 MVR 19.8K

$2,435 MVR 37.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,377 MVR 21.2K

$1,160 MVR 17.9K

$1,933 MVR 29.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,803 MVR 43.2K

$1,289 MVR 19.9K

$5,347 MVR 82.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,062 MVR 16.4K

$495 MVR 7,635

$2,421 MVR 37.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$900 MVR 13.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Maldives - Frequently Asked Questions

The Maldives offers value that depends on where you base yourself and how you live. On Malé and resort-heavy islands, costs tend to be higher, while local guesthouses on other islands can be more affordable if you embrace local services and meals. Imports influence certain conveniences, but you can offset this by cooking at home, shopping in local markets, and using public ferries. For some travelers and digital nomads, the experience justifies a premium, especially if you value island life, safety, and a slower rhythm. Cost of Living in Maldives varies with your choice of island and lifestyle. Tip: Plan a short trial stay on a local island to gauge daily expenses and adjust your setup accordingly.

Daily life in the Maldives blends convenience with island logistics. Housing searches often start with guesthouses or small rental flats on local islands – online listings, hostel networks, and word of mouth help you compare options. Food ranges from local curries and fresh fish markets to imported groceries on some islands, with local meals often more budget-friendly. Getting around usually means ferries or speedboats between atolls; rentals and rideshare-like services exist on busier islands, while domestic flights handle longer jumps. Co-working spaces are growing in Malé and a few hub islands, offering reliable wifi for remote work. Maldives living cost depends on island choice and lifestyle. Tip: Build a flexible schedule to align errands and transport with sea conditions.

Quality of life hinges on a simple budgeting approach, seasonality, and neighborhood fit. Use a framework you can apply to housing, utilities, groceries, and discretionary expenses, then adjust as island choice and routines change. Urban hubs like Malé offer more services and faster connectivity but come with higher costs, while local islands emphasize community and a slower pace. Plan around seasonality to catch deals on accommodations and flights, and prioritize energy efficiency to keep utilities manageable. For neighborhood fit, test different island vibes, water access, and proximity to markets and clinics. Tip: Start with a two-week trial on a couple of islands to compare living rhythms and costs.