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 83.0

$3.85 MVR 53.8

$11.50 MVR 161

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.58 MVR 679

$19.43 MVR 271

$117 MVR 1,629

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.70 MVR 136

$7.76 MVR 108

$12.93 MVR 181

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.59 MVR 64.2

$3.17 MVR 44.28

$9.50 MVR 133

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.12 MVR 85.5

$4.97 MVR 69.4

$9.94 MVR 139

Cappuccino

$3.09 MVR 43.19

$0.97 MVR 13.60

$5.86 MVR 81.9

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

$1.46 MVR 20.38

$1.00 MVR 13.92

$3.08 MVR 43.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 MVR 4.39

$0.18 MVR 2.53

$0.62 MVR 8.65

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 MVR 23.87

$1.29 MVR 18.04

$2.25 MVR 31.50

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 MVR 20.92

$0.94 MVR 13.18

$3.37 MVR 47.01

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 MVR 16.27

$0.33 MVR 4.57

$2.32 MVR 32.40

Eggs

$1.59 MVR 22.22

$1.16 MVR 16.14

$2.31 MVR 32.29

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.92 MVR 111

$2.91 MVR 40.59

$16.80 MVR 235

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.14 MVR 85.8

$1.62 MVR 22.58

$9.07 MVR 127

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.98 MVR 139

$6.51 MVR 90.9

$13.02 MVR 182

Apples (1kg)

$4.10 MVR 57.2

$1.63 MVR 22.73

$5.21 MVR 72.8

Banana (1kg)

$3.77 MVR 52.7

$1.64 MVR 22.88

$6.51 MVR 90.9

Oranges (1kg)

$3.85 MVR 53.8

$1.18 MVR 16.53

$5.25 MVR 73.3

Tomato (1kg)

$3.61 MVR 50.5

$1.66 MVR 23.24

$4.33 MVR 60.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.43 MVR 19.99

$0.95 MVR 13.28

$1.91 MVR 26.70

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 MVR 17.02

$0.80 MVR 11.16

$2.00 MVR 27.90

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.53 MVR 35.34

$1.07 MVR 14.88

$7.98 MVR 111

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 MVR 8.59

$0.31 MVR 4.37

$0.95 MVR 13.23

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$11.40 MVR 159

$3.25 MVR 45.45

$16.29 MVR 228

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 MVR 37.10

$1.29 MVR 17.99

$4.18 MVR 58.4

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.98 MVR 112

$1.27 MVR 17.74

$15.86 MVR 222

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.85 MVR 110

$6.74 MVR 94.1

$14.75 MVR 206

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 MVR 8.79

$0.44 MVR 6.08

$0.94 MVR 13.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.72 MVR 387

$19.13 MVR 267

$31.89 MVR 445

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.90 MVR 26.52

$1.58 MVR 22.03

$1.90 MVR 26.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 MVR 27.03

$1.61 MVR 22.46

$1.93 MVR 27.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.92 MVR 111

$4.76 MVR 66.5

$15.85 MVR 221

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 MVR 13.65

$0.87 MVR 12.20

$1.14 MVR 15.98

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

$33.0K MVR 461.1K

$26.4K MVR 368.9K

$39.6K MVR 553.3K

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

$29.8K MVR 416.3K

$35.1K MVR 490.6K

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

$117 MVR 1,630

$78.5 MVR 1,097

$164 MVR 2,285

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

$40.92 MVR 572

$25.68 MVR 359

$48.15 MVR 673

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.5 MVR 1,012

$42.81 MVR 598

$119 MVR 1,656

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 MVR 1,084

$52.9 MVR 738

$99.1 MVR 1,384

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.35 MVR 494

$12.85 MVR 180

$35.35 MVR 494

Cinema Ticket

$9.51 MVR 133

$8.01 MVR 112

$10.01 MVR 140

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

$171 MVR 2,385

$130 MVR 1,814

$195 MVR 2,722

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,271 MVR 45.7K

$2,249 MVR 31.4K

$6,169 MVR 86.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.50 MVR 594

$13.08 MVR 183

$65.4 MVR 914

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 MVR 715

$19.48 MVR 272

$99.1 MVR 1,384

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.4 MVR 1,137

$38.49 MVR 538

$97.8 MVR 1,367

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.8 MVR 737

$38.38 MVR 536

$76.8 MVR 1,072

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$981 MVR 13.7K

$832 MVR 11.6K

$1,280 MVR 17.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$675 MVR 9,430

$576 MVR 8,040

$1,023 MVR 14.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,673 MVR 23.4K

$1,319 MVR 18.4K

$2,506 MVR 35.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,360 MVR 19.0K

$1,145 MVR 16.0K

$1,909 MVR 26.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,583 MVR 36.1K

$1,277 MVR 17.8K

$5,313 MVR 74.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,049 MVR 14.7K

$491 MVR 6,856

$2,392 MVR 33.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$780 MVR 10.9K

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

Maldives Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

217

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.