Cost of Living in Male - Updated Prices & Insights

48.33

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $704 (excluding rent), and $1,532 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,660 (excluding rent), and $3,217 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.49 MVR 84.7

$4.32 MVR 66.7

$6.65 MVR 103

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.33 MVR 452

$19.55 MVR 301

$117 MVR 1,809

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.53 MVR 147

$7.62 MVR 118

$9.53 MVR 147

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.48 MVR 69.1

$3.21 MVR 49.48

$4.81 MVR 74.2

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.64 MVR 56.1

$2.54 MVR 39.12

$4.75 MVR 73.3

Cappuccino

$2.94 MVR 45.32

$0.98 MVR 15.05

$5.88 MVR 90.6

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

$1.29 MVR 19.85

$0.96 MVR 14.81

$1.93 MVR 29.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 MVR 3.84

$0.18 MVR 2.8

$0.62 MVR 9.59

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 MVR 27.66

$1.57 MVR 24.16

$2.05 MVR 31.61

White Bread (500g)

$1.55 MVR 23.96

$1.15 MVR 17.74

$1.92 MVR 29.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.37 MVR 21.13

$0.33 MVR 5.05

$2.32 MVR 35.79

Eggs

$1.78 MVR 27.52

$1.59 MVR 24.54

$2.39 MVR 36.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.29 MVR 128

$2.95 MVR 45.5

$17.06 MVR 263

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.35 MVR 97.9

$4.67 MVR 72.1

$9.36 MVR 144

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.68 MVR 134

$6.35 MVR 97.9

$12.39 MVR 191

Apples (1kg)

$3.94 MVR 60.8

$1.59 MVR 24.5

$5.09 MVR 78.5

Banana (1kg)

$3.84 MVR 59.2

$1.97 MVR 30.45

$5.26 MVR 81.1

Oranges (1kg)

$4.4 MVR 67.9

$1.2 MVR 18.48

$5.32 MVR 82

Tomato (1kg)

$3.19 MVR 49.17

$1.91 MVR 29.5

$4.14 MVR 63.9

Potato (1kg)

$1.56 MVR 24.01

$0.99 MVR 15.22

$2.65 MVR 40.8

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 MVR 18.25

$0.77 MVR 11.86

$1.92 MVR 29.66

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.19 MVR 49.18

$1.05 MVR 16.24

$7.89 MVR 122

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 MVR 8.21

$0.33 MVR 5.05

$0.8 MVR 12.31

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$9.92 MVR 153

$4.96 MVR 76.5

$33.08 MVR 510

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.7 MVR 41.64

$1.31 MVR 20.2

$4.25 MVR 65.6

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.34 MVR 159

$1.29 MVR 19.96

$16.16 MVR 249

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.31 MVR 128

$7.98 MVR 123

$15.29 MVR 236

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 MVR 10.52

$0.47 MVR 7.28

$1.02 MVR 15.7

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.11 MVR 449

$21.71 MVR 335

$32.9 MVR 507

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.94 MVR 29.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 MVR 30.46

$1.64 MVR 25.31

$1.98 MVR 30.46

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.97 MVR 154

$4.99 MVR 76.9

$16.62 MVR 256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 MVR 14.88

$0.87 MVR 13.44

$1.01 MVR 15.52

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

$32.5K MVR 501.8K

$26K MVR 401.5K

$39.1K MVR 602.2K

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

$33.8K MVR 520.6K

$32.2K MVR 495.8K

$35.4K MVR 545.4K

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

$105 MVR 1,619

$76.8 MVR 1,185

$224 MVR 3,455

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

$41.92 MVR 646

$26.31 MVR 406

$49.33 MVR 761

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.9 MVR 1,186

$42 MVR 648

$181 MVR 2,790

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.1 MVR 1,251

$58.4 MVR 901

$97.4 MVR 1,501

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.49 MVR 655

$31.87 MVR 491

$42.49 MVR 655

Cinema Ticket

$9.94 MVR 153

$8.61 MVR 133

$10.6 MVR 163

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

$163 MVR 2,511

$106 MVR 1,641

$193 MVR 2,984

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,591 MVR 55.4K

$2,355 MVR 36.3K

$6,281 MVR 96.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.28 MVR 683

$12.83 MVR 198

$89.8 MVR 1,385

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 MVR 869

$19.43 MVR 300

$104 MVR 1,598

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 MVR 1,393

$32.75 MVR 505

$164 MVR 2,524

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.9 MVR 831

$32.45 MVR 500

$77.9 MVR 1,201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$975 MVR 15K

$859 MVR 13.3K

$1,322 MVR 20.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$707 MVR 10.9K

$650 MVR 10K

$1,040 MVR 16K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,699 MVR 26.2K

$1,300 MVR 20K

$2,275 MVR 35.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,402 MVR 21.6K

$1,154 MVR 17.8K

$1,924 MVR 29.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,600 MVR 40.1K

$1,776 MVR 27.4K

$5,473 MVR 84.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,863 MVR 28.7K

$1,273 MVR 19.6K

$2,397 MVR 37K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,137 MVR 17.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Male - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability in Male, Maldives blends scenery with a premium for location and imported goods. The Cost of Living in Male, Maldives can feel higher than many regional peers, driven by limited supply, resort-driven demand, and compact housing. Value appears when you choose guesthouses or modest apartments on the island's outskirts and favor local eateries over resort dining. Shorter leases and flexible workspaces help control costs without sacrificing connectivity. Seasonal demand can shift prices more than you’d expect, so plan ahead and compare neighborhoods. Tip: Build your week around local markets and mix meals between home cooking and affordable cafes.

Day-to-day life revolves around practicality and proximity. Housing searches often start with guesthouses or small apartment rentals near the harbor or local markets, with short commutes by foot or scooter. Food options range from affordable stalls with fresh fish and curries to grocery stores stocking international items. Transport is simple: ferries, taxis, and bikes, with reliable Wi-Fi in most coworking spaces and cafes. If you’re mindful of Male, Maldives living cost, you can balance daily spend by cooking some meals, sharing accommodations, and choosing neighborhoods that shorten errands and commutes. Tip: Sync a few workdays at a coworking spot to cut coffee and break costs.

Quality of life in Male, Maldives hinges on balance, planning, and season-aware budgeting. Use a simple framework: map essential categories (housing, food, transport, utilities) and allocate a flexible cushion for surprises. In dry season, you may see higher tourist activity and vacancy changes; the wet season can shift service hours and travel times. Neighborhood fit matters: central areas offer shorter commutes and better services, while outer pockets provide calmer living at a lower profile. Practical tips: shop at local markets, consolidate trips, and rent month-to-month while you test neighborhoods. Tip: Build a weekly routine that prioritizes reliable Wi-Fi, safe walking routes, and predictable grocery runs.