Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Maldives
Address: MV

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $688 (excluding rent), and $1,488 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,721 (excluding rent), and $3,246 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.94 MVR 91.7

$3.85 MVR 59.5

$11.50 MVR 177

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.58 MVR 750

$19.43 MVR 300

$117 MVR 1,799

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.70 MVR 150

$7.76 MVR 120

$12.93 MVR 200

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.59 MVR 70.9

$3.17 MVR 48.90

$9.50 MVR 147

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.12 MVR 94.5

$4.97 MVR 76.7

$9.94 MVR 153

Cappuccino

$3.09 MVR 47.71

$0.97 MVR 15.02

$5.86 MVR 90.5

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

$1.46 MVR 22.51

$1.00 MVR 15.38

$3.08 MVR 47.55

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 MVR 4.85

$0.18 MVR 2.79

$0.62 MVR 9.55

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 MVR 26.36

$1.29 MVR 19.92

$2.25 MVR 34.79

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 MVR 23.11

$0.94 MVR 14.56

$3.37 MVR 51.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 MVR 17.97

$0.33 MVR 5.04

$2.32 MVR 35.78

Eggs

$1.59 MVR 24.54

$1.16 MVR 17.83

$2.31 MVR 35.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.92 MVR 122

$2.91 MVR 44.83

$16.80 MVR 259

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.14 MVR 94.8

$1.62 MVR 24.94

$9.07 MVR 140

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.98 MVR 154

$6.51 MVR 100

$13.02 MVR 201

Apples (1kg)

$4.10 MVR 63.2

$1.63 MVR 25.10

$5.21 MVR 80.4

Banana (1kg)

$3.77 MVR 58.2

$1.64 MVR 25.27

$6.51 MVR 100

Oranges (1kg)

$3.85 MVR 59.5

$1.18 MVR 18.26

$5.25 MVR 81.0

Tomato (1kg)

$3.61 MVR 55.8

$1.66 MVR 25.67

$4.33 MVR 66.9

Potato (1kg)

$1.43 MVR 22.08

$0.95 MVR 14.67

$1.91 MVR 29.49

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 MVR 18.80

$0.80 MVR 12.33

$2.00 MVR 30.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.53 MVR 39.03

$1.07 MVR 16.43

$7.98 MVR 123

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 MVR 9.49

$0.31 MVR 4.82

$0.95 MVR 14.62

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.40 MVR 176

$3.25 MVR 50.2

$16.29 MVR 251

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 MVR 40.97

$1.29 MVR 19.87

$4.18 MVR 64.5

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.98 MVR 123

$1.27 MVR 19.60

$15.86 MVR 245

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.85 MVR 121

$6.74 MVR 104

$14.75 MVR 228

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 MVR 9.71

$0.44 MVR 6.72

$0.94 MVR 14.49

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.72 MVR 428

$19.13 MVR 295

$31.89 MVR 492

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.90 MVR 29.29

$1.58 MVR 24.34

$1.90 MVR 29.29

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 MVR 29.85

$1.61 MVR 24.80

$1.93 MVR 29.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.92 MVR 122

$4.76 MVR 73.4

$15.85 MVR 245

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 MVR 15.08

$0.87 MVR 13.48

$1.14 MVR 17.65

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

$33.0K MVR 509.3K

$26.4K MVR 407.4K

$39.6K MVR 611.2K

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

$29.8K MVR 459.8K

$35.1K MVR 541.9K

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

$117 MVR 1,800

$78.5 MVR 1,212

$164 MVR 2,524

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

$40.92 MVR 631

$25.68 MVR 396

$48.15 MVR 743

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.5 MVR 1,118

$42.81 MVR 661

$119 MVR 1,829

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 MVR 1,198

$52.9 MVR 815

$99.1 MVR 1,529

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.35 MVR 545

$12.85 MVR 198

$35.35 MVR 545

Cinema Ticket

$9.51 MVR 147

$8.01 MVR 124

$10.01 MVR 154

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

$171 MVR 2,634

$130 MVR 2,004

$195 MVR 3,006

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,271 MVR 50.5K

$2,249 MVR 34.7K

$6,169 MVR 95.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.50 MVR 656

$13.08 MVR 202

$65.4 MVR 1,009

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 MVR 790

$19.48 MVR 301

$99.1 MVR 1,528

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.4 MVR 1,256

$38.49 MVR 594

$97.8 MVR 1,510

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.8 MVR 814

$38.38 MVR 592

$76.8 MVR 1,185

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$981 MVR 15.1K

$832 MVR 12.8K

$1,280 MVR 19.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$675 MVR 10.4K

$576 MVR 8,880

$1,023 MVR 15.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,673 MVR 25.8K

$1,319 MVR 20.4K

$2,506 MVR 38.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,360 MVR 21.0K

$1,145 MVR 17.7K

$1,909 MVR 29.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,583 MVR 39.8K

$1,277 MVR 19.7K

$5,313 MVR 82.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,049 MVR 16.2K

$491 MVR 7,573

$2,392 MVR 36.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$780 MVR 12.0K

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 17, 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	-		$343	$762	$726	$1,460	216.45	20.41
2	Gan	-		$44.66	$44.26	$94.5	$97.5	155.57	17.71
3	Hulhumale	-	76	$539	$1,517	$1,671	$3,845	287.13	44.29
4	Male	103693	77	$723	$1,540	$1,650	$3,157	190.94	45.28

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.