Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

50.24

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $707 (excluding rent), and $1,525 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,755 (excluding rent), and $3,208 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.07 MVR 93.6

$3.93 MVR 60.7

$11.74 MVR 181

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.37 MVR 746

$19.34 MVR 298

$116 MVR 1,790

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.47 MVR 146

$7.58 MVR 117

$12.63 MVR 195

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.65 MVR 71.8

$3.21 MVR 49.53

$9.63 MVR 148

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.85 MVR 90.2

$4.75 MVR 73.3

$9.5 MVR 147

Cappuccino

$2.99 MVR 46.1

$0.94 MVR 14.52

$5.67 MVR 87.4

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

$1.46 MVR 22.44

$0.99 MVR 15.33

$3.07 MVR 47.41

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 MVR 4.88

$0.18 MVR 2.81

$0.62 MVR 9.61

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 MVR 25.85

$1.27 MVR 19.54

$2.21 MVR 34.12

White Bread (500g)

$1.52 MVR 23.4

$0.96 MVR 14.74

$3.41 MVR 52.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 MVR 17.85

$0.32 MVR 5.01

$2.31 MVR 35.54

Eggs

$1.64 MVR 25.26

$1.19 MVR 18.35

$2.38 MVR 36.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.12 MVR 125

$2.98 MVR 45.92

$17.21 MVR 265

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.07 MVR 93.6

$1.6 MVR 24.61

$8.95 MVR 138

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 MVR 152

$6.44 MVR 99.3

$12.88 MVR 199

Apples (1kg)

$4.05 MVR 62.5

$1.61 MVR 24.82

$5.16 MVR 79.5

Banana (1kg)

$3.75 MVR 57.8

$1.63 MVR 25.09

$6.47 MVR 99.7

Oranges (1kg)

$3.75 MVR 57.9

$1.15 MVR 17.77

$5.11 MVR 78.8

Tomato (1kg)

$3.43 MVR 52.9

$1.58 MVR 24.35

$4.11 MVR 63.4

Potato (1kg)

$1.5 MVR 23.11

$1 MVR 15.36

$2 MVR 30.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 MVR 18.69

$0.79 MVR 12.25

$1.99 MVR 30.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 MVR 37.3

$1.02 MVR 15.71

$7.63 MVR 118

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 MVR 9.99

$0.33 MVR 5.07

$1 MVR 15.38

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.34 MVR 175

$4.86 MVR 74.9

$24.95 MVR 385

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 MVR 42.29

$1.33 MVR 20.51

$4.32 MVR 66.6

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.38 MVR 129

$1.33 MVR 20.56

$16.64 MVR 257

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.06 MVR 124

$6.91 MVR 107

$15.13 MVR 233

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.64 MVR 9.86

$0.44 MVR 6.83

$0.95 MVR 14.71

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.89 MVR 430

$19.25 MVR 297

$32.08 MVR 495

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.91 MVR 29.4

$1.58 MVR 24.42

$1.91 MVR 29.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 MVR 30.51

$1.64 MVR 25.34

$1.98 MVR 30.51

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.17 MVR 126

$4.9 MVR 75.6

$16.34 MVR 252

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 MVR 14.32

$0.83 MVR 12.79

$1.09 MVR 16.75

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

$32.3K MVR 497.6K

$25.8K MVR 398.1K

$38.7K MVR 597.1K

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

$30.3K MVR 466.6K

$35.7K MVR 550K

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

$117 MVR 1,808

$78.9 MVR 1,217

$164 MVR 2,534

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

$42.11 MVR 649

$26.43 MVR 407

$49.54 MVR 764

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.3 MVR 1,100

$42.13 MVR 650

$117 MVR 1,799

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 MVR 1,160

$51.2 MVR 790

$96 MVR 1,480

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.02 MVR 555

$13.1 MVR 202

$36.02 MVR 555

Cinema Ticket

$8.98 MVR 138

$7.56 MVR 117

$9.45 MVR 146

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

$170 MVR 2,618

$129 MVR 1,992

$194 MVR 2,988

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,288 MVR 50.7K

$2,260 MVR 34.9K

$6,200 MVR 95.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.79 MVR 660

$13.16 MVR 203

$65.8 MVR 1,015

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.45 MVR 762

$18.82 MVR 290

$95.7 MVR 1,476

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81 MVR 1,248

$38.26 MVR 590

$97.3 MVR 1,500

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.1 MVR 834

$39.34 MVR 607

$78.7 MVR 1,213

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$981 MVR 15.1K

$832 MVR 12.8K

$1,279 MVR 19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$676 MVR 10.4K

$576 MVR 8,885

$1,024 MVR 15.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,659 MVR 25.6K

$1,308 MVR 20.2K

$2,485 MVR 38.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,397 MVR 21.5K

$1,176 MVR 18.1K

$1,960 MVR 30.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,798 MVR 43.1K

$1,289 MVR 19.9K

$5,344 MVR 82.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,062 MVR 16.4K

$495 MVR 7,638

$2,423 MVR 37.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,046 MVR 16.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

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.