Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Maldives
Address: MV

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $689 (excluding rent), and $1,504 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,726 (excluding rent), and $3,196 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

$49.55 MVR 766

$19.82 MVR 306

$119 MVR 1,837

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.89 MVR 153

$7.91 MVR 122

$13.18 MVR 204

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.67 MVR 72.2

$3.22 MVR 49.78

$9.66 MVR 149

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.97 MVR 92.3

$4.85 MVR 74.9

$9.70 MVR 150

Cappuccino

$3.13 MVR 48.33

$0.99 MVR 15.22

$5.93 MVR 91.6

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

$1.39 MVR 21.50

$0.95 MVR 14.69

$2.94 MVR 45.42

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 MVR 5.26

$0.20 MVR 3.03

$0.67 MVR 10.35

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 MVR 26.41

$1.29 MVR 19.96

$2.26 MVR 34.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.56 MVR 24.05

$0.98 MVR 15.15

$3.50 MVR 54.0

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.12 MVR 17.37

$0.32 MVR 4.88

$2.24 MVR 34.59

Eggs

$1.63 MVR 25.13

$1.18 MVR 18.26

$2.36 MVR 36.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.86 MVR 121

$2.88 MVR 44.54

$16.67 MVR 257

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.12 MVR 94.5

$1.61 MVR 24.85

$9.03 MVR 139

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.88 MVR 153

$6.45 MVR 99.6

$12.89 MVR 199

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 MVR 64.6

$1.66 MVR 25.65

$5.32 MVR 82.2

Banana (1kg)

$3.70 MVR 57.2

$1.61 MVR 24.86

$6.40 MVR 98.8

Oranges (1kg)

$3.76 MVR 58.0

$1.15 MVR 17.82

$5.12 MVR 79.0

Tomato (1kg)

$3.49 MVR 53.9

$1.60 MVR 24.78

$4.18 MVR 64.6

Potato (1kg)

$1.48 MVR 22.86

$0.98 MVR 15.19

$1.98 MVR 30.53

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 MVR 18.00

$0.76 MVR 11.80

$1.91 MVR 29.50

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 MVR 37.31

$1.02 MVR 15.71

$7.62 MVR 118

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 MVR 10.08

$0.33 MVR 5.12

$1.00 MVR 15.52

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.50 MVR 178

$3.29 MVR 50.8

$16.43 MVR 254

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 MVR 41.84

$1.31 MVR 20.30

$4.26 MVR 65.9

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.99 MVR 123

$1.27 MVR 19.63

$15.87 MVR 245

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.00 MVR 124

$6.87 MVR 106

$15.03 MVR 232

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.66 MVR 10.21

$0.46 MVR 7.07

$0.99 MVR 15.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.11 MVR 434

$19.40 MVR 300

$32.34 MVR 500

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.93 MVR 29.84

$1.60 MVR 24.79

$1.93 MVR 29.84

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 MVR 29.84

$1.60 MVR 24.79

$1.93 MVR 29.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.99 MVR 123

$4.80 MVR 74.2

$15.99 MVR 247

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 MVR 13.82

$0.80 MVR 12.35

$1.05 MVR 16.18

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

$33.1K MVR 510.7K

$26.4K MVR 408.5K

$39.7K MVR 612.8K

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

$30.7K MVR 473.6K

$36.1K MVR 558.2K

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

$117 MVR 1,805

$78.6 MVR 1,215

$164 MVR 2,531

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

$40.91 MVR 632

$25.67 MVR 397

$48.14 MVR 744

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.5 MVR 1,104

$42.23 MVR 653

$117 MVR 1,807

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.5 MVR 1,198

$52.8 MVR 816

$99.0 MVR 1,529

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.99 MVR 556

$13.09 MVR 202

$35.99 MVR 556

Cinema Ticket

$9.09 MVR 140

$7.66 MVR 118

$9.57 MVR 148

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

$169 MVR 2,613

$129 MVR 1,988

$193 MVR 2,982

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,327 MVR 51.4K

$2,287 MVR 35.3K

$6,273 MVR 96.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.81 MVR 646

$12.86 MVR 199

$64.3 MVR 994

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.0 MVR 772

$19.03 MVR 294

$96.8 MVR 1,495

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.7 MVR 1,262

$38.60 MVR 596

$98.1 MVR 1,516

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.2 MVR 838

$39.43 MVR 609

$78.9 MVR 1,218

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$997 MVR 15.4K

$846 MVR 13.1K

$1,301 MVR 20.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$697 MVR 10.8K

$595 MVR 9,185

$1,057 MVR 16.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,654 MVR 25.6K

$1,304 MVR 20.1K

$2,477 MVR 38.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,366 MVR 21.1K

$1,151 MVR 17.8K

$1,918 MVR 29.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,601 MVR 40.2K

$1,286 MVR 19.9K

$5,348 MVR 82.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,052 MVR 16.3K

$492 MVR 7,600

$2,399 MVR 37.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$784 MVR 12.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

Last update: April 11, 2026

By City in Maldives

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Fuvahmulah	-		$337	$776	$753	$1,478	211.77	31.79
2	Gan	-		$45.73	$44.66	$91.9	$101	108.86	27.93
3	Hulhumale	-	76	$686	$1,489	$1,432	$3,883	270.6	46.94
4	Male	103693	77	$705	$1,526	$1,680	$3,220	51.65	46.05

Maldives Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.