Cost of Living in Maldives - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Maldives
Address: MV

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $689 (excluding rent), and $1,512 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,745 (excluding rent), and $3,248 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.10 MVR 94.3

$3.95 MVR 61.1

$11.80 MVR 182

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.43 MVR 764

$19.77 MVR 306

$119 MVR 1,834

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.61 MVR 149

$7.69 MVR 119

$12.81 MVR 198

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.63 MVR 71.6

$3.19 MVR 49.37

$9.57 MVR 148

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.14 MVR 94.9

$4.98 MVR 77.0

$9.96 MVR 154

Cappuccino

$3.04 MVR 47.04

$0.96 MVR 14.81

$5.77 MVR 89.2

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

$1.39 MVR 21.51

$0.95 MVR 14.69

$2.94 MVR 45.44

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 MVR 4.87

$0.18 MVR 2.80

$0.62 MVR 9.59

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MVR 26.29

$1.29 MVR 19.87

$2.24 MVR 34.70

White Bread (500g)

$1.49 MVR 23.09

$0.94 MVR 14.55

$3.36 MVR 51.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.12 MVR 17.28

$0.31 MVR 4.85

$2.23 MVR 34.40

Eggs

$1.65 MVR 25.49

$1.20 MVR 18.53

$2.40 MVR 37.05

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.90 MVR 122

$2.90 MVR 44.78

$16.74 MVR 259

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.26 MVR 96.7

$1.65 MVR 25.44

$9.23 MVR 143

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.05 MVR 155

$6.56 MVR 101

$13.11 MVR 203

Apples (1kg)

$3.99 MVR 61.6

$1.58 MVR 24.47

$5.07 MVR 78.4

Banana (1kg)

$3.82 MVR 59.1

$1.66 MVR 25.66

$6.60 MVR 102

Oranges (1kg)

$3.84 MVR 59.4

$1.18 MVR 18.23

$5.23 MVR 80.9

Tomato (1kg)

$3.54 MVR 54.7

$1.63 MVR 25.15

$4.24 MVR 65.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.44 MVR 22.28

$0.96 MVR 14.80

$1.93 MVR 29.76

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 MVR 18.67

$0.79 MVR 12.23

$1.98 MVR 30.59

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.43 MVR 37.60

$1.02 MVR 15.83

$7.67 MVR 119

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 MVR 10.22

$0.34 MVR 5.19

$1.02 MVR 15.73

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.34 MVR 175

$3.24 MVR 50.2

$16.20 MVR 250

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.73 MVR 42.16

$1.32 MVR 20.45

$4.29 MVR 66.4

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.29 MVR 128

$1.32 MVR 20.40

$16.47 MVR 255

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.79 MVR 120

$6.68 MVR 103

$14.62 MVR 226

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.66 MVR 10.22

$0.46 MVR 7.08

$0.99 MVR 15.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.25 MVR 437

$19.49 MVR 301

$32.50 MVR 502

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.92 MVR 29.73

$1.60 MVR 24.70

$1.92 MVR 29.73

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.00 MVR 30.96

$1.66 MVR 25.72

$2.00 MVR 30.96

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 MVR 122

$4.74 MVR 73.2

$15.78 MVR 244

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 MVR 15.12

$0.87 MVR 13.52

$1.14 MVR 17.70

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

$33.0K MVR 510.8K

$26.4K MVR 408.6K

$39.6K MVR 612.9K

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

$30.2K MVR 466.6K

$35.6K MVR 549.9K

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

$115 MVR 1,783

$77.6 MVR 1,200

$162 MVR 2,499

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

$40.57 MVR 627

$25.46 MVR 394

$47.74 MVR 738

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.0 MVR 1,113

$42.53 MVR 658

$118 MVR 1,821

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 MVR 1,169

$51.5 MVR 796

$96.5 MVR 1,492

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.39 MVR 547

$12.87 MVR 199

$35.39 MVR 547

Cinema Ticket

$9.50 MVR 147

$8.00 MVR 124

$10.00 MVR 155

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

$174 MVR 2,683

$132 MVR 2,042

$198 MVR 3,062

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,336 MVR 51.6K

$2,293 MVR 35.5K

$6,291 MVR 97.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.49 MVR 657

$13.07 MVR 202

$65.4 MVR 1,011

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.8 MVR 785

$19.33 MVR 299

$98.3 MVR 1,519

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.7 MVR 1,248

$38.16 MVR 590

$97.0 MVR 1,500

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.1 MVR 836

$39.34 MVR 608

$78.7 MVR 1,216

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$981 MVR 15.2K

$832 MVR 12.9K

$1,279 MVR 19.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$682 MVR 10.5K

$581 MVR 8,987

$1,033 MVR 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,624 MVR 25.1K

$1,280 MVR 19.8K

$2,432 MVR 37.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,374 MVR 21.2K

$1,157 MVR 17.9K

$1,928 MVR 29.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,660 MVR 41.1K

$1,316 MVR 20.3K

$5,470 MVR 84.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,065 MVR 16.5K

$498 MVR 7,699

$2,429 MVR 37.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$801 MVR 12.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

Last update: March 9, 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	-		$389	$764	$669	$1,478	216.45	20.41
2	Gan	-		$46.08	$44.44	$94.2	$101	155.57	17.71
3	Hulhumale	-	76	$605	$1,518	$1,583	$3,789	287.13	44.29
4	Male	103693	77	$703	$1,514	$1,680	$3,238	190.94	45.28

Maldives Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 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.