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Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

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.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.89 MVRย 90.9
$3.82 MVRย 59.0
$11.39 MVRย 176
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.03 MVRย 742
$19.21 MVRย 297
$115 MVRย 1,781
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 MVRย 146
$7.57 MVRย 117
$12.62 MVRย 195
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.69 MVRย 72.5
$3.24 MVRย 50.0
$9.70 MVRย 150
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.86 MVRย 90.5
$4.75 MVRย 73.5
$9.51 MVRย 147
Cappuccino
$3.11 MVRย 48.05
$0.98 MVRย 15.13
$5.90 MVRย 91.1
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 MVRย 21.32
$0.94 MVRย 14.56
$2.91 MVRย 45.03
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 MVRย 4.93
$0.18 MVRย 2.84
$0.63 MVRย 9.71
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.68 MVRย 25.92
$1.27 MVRย 19.59
$2.21 MVRย 34.21
White Bread (500g)
$1.52 MVRย 23.54
$0.96 MVRย 14.83
$3.42 MVRย 52.9
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 MVRย 17.18
$0.31 MVRย 4.82
$2.21 MVRย 34.21
Eggs
$1.63 MVRย 25.22
$1.19 MVRย 18.33
$2.37 MVRย 36.66
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.82 MVRย 121
$2.87 MVRย 44.33
$16.59 MVRย 256
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.18 MVRย 95.6
$1.63 MVRย 25.13
$9.13 MVRย 141
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.78 MVRย 151
$6.38 MVRย 98.6
$12.76 MVRย 197
Apples (1kg)
$3.99 MVRย 61.7
$1.59 MVRย 24.49
$5.08 MVRย 78.5
Banana (1kg)
$3.82 MVRย 59.0
$1.66 MVRย 25.60
$6.59 MVRย 102
Oranges (1kg)
$3.77 MVRย 58.2
$1.16 MVRย 17.87
$5.13 MVRย 79.3
Tomato (1kg)
$3.58 MVRย 55.3
$1.65 MVRย 25.43
$4.29 MVRย 66.3
Potato (1kg)
$1.42 MVRย 21.89
$0.94 MVRย 14.54
$1.89 MVRย 29.24
Onion (1kg)
$1.18 MVRย 18.21
$0.77 MVRย 11.94
$1.93 MVRย 29.84
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.44 MVRย 37.63
$1.03 MVRย 15.85
$7.68 MVRย 119
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 MVRย 10.19
$0.34 MVRย 5.18
$1.02 MVRย 15.70
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$9.99 MVRย 154
$3.99 MVRย 61.7
$33.30 MVRย 515
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.66 MVRย 41.13
$1.29 MVRย 19.95
$4.19 MVRย 64.8
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.27 MVRย 128
$1.32 MVRย 20.33
$16.43 MVRย 254
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.97 MVRย 123
$6.84 MVRย 106
$14.98 MVRย 231
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.67 MVRย 10.42
$0.47 MVRย 7.21
$1.01 MVRย 15.54
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.73 MVRย 444
$19.82 MVRย 306
$33.05 MVRย 511
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.98 MVRย 30.52
$1.64 MVRย 25.36
$1.98 MVRย 30.52
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.89 MVRย 29.27
$1.57 MVRย 24.31
$1.89 MVRย 29.27
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.28 MVRย 128
$4.97 MVRย 76.8
$16.56 MVRย 256
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 MVRย 13.81
$0.80 MVRย 12.34
$1.05 MVRย 16.17
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.5K MVRย 502.5K
$26.0K MVRย 402.0K
$39.0K MVRย 603.0K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.2K MVRย 466.1K
$30.2K MVRย 466.1K
$35.6K MVRย 549.4K
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$116 MVRย 1,792
$78.1 MVRย 1,206
$163 MVRย 2,512
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.19 MVRย 636
$25.85 MVRย 399
$48.47 MVRย 749
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.3 MVRย 1,102
$42.13 MVRย 651
$117 MVRย 1,803
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$74.9 MVRย 1,158
$51.0 MVRย 788
$95.7 MVRย 1,478
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.95 MVRย 555
$13.07 MVRย 202
$35.95 MVRย 555
Cinema Ticket
$9.11 MVRย 141
$7.67 MVRย 118
$9.59 MVRย 148
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$171 MVRย 2,643
$130 MVRย 2,011
$195 MVRย 3,016
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,269 MVRย 50.5K
$2,248 MVRย 34.7K
$6,165 MVRย 95.2K
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.21 MVRย 652
$12.99 MVRย 201
$64.9 MVRย 1,003
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.6 MVRย 782
$19.26 MVRย 298
$97.9 MVRย 1,513
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.2 MVRย 1,270
$38.87 MVRย 600
$98.8 MVRย 1,527
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.5 MVRย 841
$39.61 MVRย 612
$79.2 MVRย 1,224
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$980 MVRย 15.1K
$831 MVRย 12.8K
$1,278 MVRย 19.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$698 MVRย 10.8K
$595 MVRย 9,194
$1,058 MVRย 16.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,679 MVRย 25.9K
$1,323 MVRย 20.4K
$2,514 MVRย 38.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,368 MVRย 21.1K
$1,152 MVRย 17.8K
$1,920 MVRย 29.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,822 MVRย 43.6K
$1,297 MVRย 20.0K
$5,392 MVRย 83.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,064 MVRย 16.4K
$497 MVRย 7,682
$2,425 MVRย 37.5K
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$905 MVRย 14.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.4
8
15

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 13, 2026

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Maldives - Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Maldives a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, or does it lean toward being expensive compared to other tropical destinations?
The Maldives offers value that depends on where you base yourself and how you live. On Malรฉ 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.
What does daily life look like in the Maldives for housing, food, transport, and co-working spaces?
Daily life in the Maldives blends convenience with island logistics. Housing searches often start with guesthouses or small rental flats on local islands โ€“ 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 Malรฉ 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.
What should you consider for quality of life, budgeting, and finding a neighborhood that fits long-term stays?
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 Malรฉ 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.
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