Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Maldives
Address: MV

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $700 (excluding rent), and $1,517 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,748 (excluding rent), and $3,226 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.89 MVR 90.9

$3.82 MVR 59.0

$11.39 MVR 176

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.03 MVR 742

$19.21 MVR 297

$115 MVR 1,781

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.47 MVR 146

$7.57 MVR 117

$12.62 MVR 195

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.69 MVR 72.5

$3.24 MVR 50.0

$9.70 MVR 150

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.86 MVR 90.5

$4.75 MVR 73.5

$9.51 MVR 147

Cappuccino

$3.11 MVR 48.05

$0.98 MVR 15.13

$5.90 MVR 91.1

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

$1.38 MVR 21.32

$0.94 MVR 14.56

$2.91 MVR 45.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 MVR 4.93

$0.18 MVR 2.84

$0.63 MVR 9.71

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 MVR 25.92

$1.27 MVR 19.59

$2.21 MVR 34.21

White Bread (500g)

$1.52 MVR 23.54

$0.96 MVR 14.83

$3.42 MVR 52.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.11 MVR 17.18

$0.31 MVR 4.82

$2.21 MVR 34.21

Eggs

$1.63 MVR 25.22

$1.19 MVR 18.33

$2.37 MVR 36.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.82 MVR 121

$2.87 MVR 44.33

$16.59 MVR 256

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.18 MVR 95.6

$1.63 MVR 25.13

$9.13 MVR 141

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.78 MVR 151

$6.38 MVR 98.6

$12.76 MVR 197

Apples (1kg)

$3.99 MVR 61.7

$1.59 MVR 24.49

$5.08 MVR 78.5

Banana (1kg)

$3.82 MVR 59.0

$1.66 MVR 25.60

$6.59 MVR 102

Oranges (1kg)

$3.77 MVR 58.2

$1.16 MVR 17.87

$5.13 MVR 79.3

Tomato (1kg)

$3.58 MVR 55.3

$1.65 MVR 25.43

$4.29 MVR 66.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.42 MVR 21.89

$0.94 MVR 14.54

$1.89 MVR 29.24

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 MVR 18.21

$0.77 MVR 11.94

$1.93 MVR 29.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.44 MVR 37.63

$1.03 MVR 15.85

$7.68 MVR 119

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 MVR 10.19

$0.34 MVR 5.18

$1.02 MVR 15.70

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$9.99 MVR 154

$3.99 MVR 61.7

$33.30 MVR 515

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 MVR 41.13

$1.29 MVR 19.95

$4.19 MVR 64.8

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 MVR 128

$1.32 MVR 20.33

$16.43 MVR 254

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.97 MVR 123

$6.84 MVR 106

$14.98 MVR 231

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 MVR 10.42

$0.47 MVR 7.21

$1.01 MVR 15.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.73 MVR 444

$19.82 MVR 306

$33.05 MVR 511

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.98 MVR 30.52

$1.64 MVR 25.36

$1.98 MVR 30.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 MVR 29.27

$1.57 MVR 24.31

$1.89 MVR 29.27

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.28 MVR 128

$4.97 MVR 76.8

$16.56 MVR 256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 MVR 13.81

$0.80 MVR 12.34

$1.05 MVR 16.17

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

$32.5K MVR 502.5K

$26.0K MVR 402.0K

$39.0K MVR 603.0K

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

$30.2K MVR 466.1K

$35.6K MVR 549.4K

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

$116 MVR 1,792

$78.1 MVR 1,206

$163 MVR 2,512

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

$41.19 MVR 636

$25.85 MVR 399

$48.47 MVR 749

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.3 MVR 1,102

$42.13 MVR 651

$117 MVR 1,803

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$74.9 MVR 1,158

$51.0 MVR 788

$95.7 MVR 1,478

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.95 MVR 555

$13.07 MVR 202

$35.95 MVR 555

Cinema Ticket

$9.11 MVR 141

$7.67 MVR 118

$9.59 MVR 148

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

$171 MVR 2,643

$130 MVR 2,011

$195 MVR 3,016

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,269 MVR 50.5K

$2,248 MVR 34.7K

$6,165 MVR 95.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.21 MVR 652

$12.99 MVR 201

$64.9 MVR 1,003

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 MVR 782

$19.26 MVR 298

$97.9 MVR 1,513

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.2 MVR 1,270

$38.87 MVR 600

$98.8 MVR 1,527

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.5 MVR 841

$39.61 MVR 612

$79.2 MVR 1,224

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$980 MVR 15.1K

$831 MVR 12.8K

$1,278 MVR 19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$698 MVR 10.8K

$595 MVR 9,194

$1,058 MVR 16.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,679 MVR 25.9K

$1,323 MVR 20.4K

$2,514 MVR 38.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,368 MVR 21.1K

$1,152 MVR 17.8K

$1,920 MVR 29.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,822 MVR 43.6K

$1,297 MVR 20.0K

$5,392 MVR 83.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,064 MVR 16.4K

$497 MVR 7,682

$2,425 MVR 37.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$905 MVR 14.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

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.