Cost of Living in Male - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $703 (excluding rent), and $1,523 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,667 (excluding rent), and $3,171 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.33 MVR 82.3

$4.2 MVR 64.8

$6.46 MVR 99.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.31 MVR 452

$19.54 MVR 301

$117 MVR 1,808

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.62 MVR 148

$7.69 MVR 119

$9.62 MVR 148

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.5 MVR 69.3

$3.22 MVR 49.63

$4.82 MVR 74.4

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 MVR 57.8

$2.61 MVR 40.27

$4.89 MVR 75.4

Cappuccino

$2.91 MVR 44.84

$0.97 MVR 14.89

$5.82 MVR 89.7

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

$1.29 MVR 19.83

$0.96 MVR 14.79

$1.93 MVR 29.74

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 MVR 4.19

$0.2 MVR 3.06

$0.68 MVR 10.47

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 MVR 27.9

$1.58 MVR 24.38

$2.07 MVR 31.89

White Bread (500g)

$1.6 MVR 24.6

$1.18 MVR 18.22

$1.97 MVR 30.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.3 MVR 20.08

$0.31 MVR 4.8

$2.21 MVR 34.02

Eggs

$1.7 MVR 26.28

$1.52 MVR 23.42

$2.28 MVR 35.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.03 MVR 124

$2.86 MVR 44.07

$16.52 MVR 255

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.07 MVR 93.6

$4.47 MVR 68.9

$8.95 MVR 138

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.68 MVR 134

$6.35 MVR 97.9

$12.38 MVR 191

Apples (1kg)

$4.08 MVR 62.9

$1.64 MVR 25.36

$5.27 MVR 81.2

Banana (1kg)

$3.71 MVR 57.3

$1.91 MVR 29.47

$5.09 MVR 78.4

Oranges (1kg)

$4.4 MVR 67.8

$1.2 MVR 18.45

$5.31 MVR 81.8

Tomato (1kg)

$3.31 MVR 51

$1.98 MVR 30.6

$4.29 MVR 66.2

Potato (1kg)

$1.56 MVR 23.99

$0.99 MVR 15.21

$2.64 MVR 40.77

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 MVR 17.97

$0.76 MVR 11.68

$1.89 MVR 29.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.13 MVR 48.26

$1.03 MVR 15.93

$7.74 MVR 119

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 MVR 8.27

$0.33 MVR 5.09

$0.8 MVR 12.41

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$9.85 MVR 152

$5.25 MVR 81

$32.86 MVR 507

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 MVR 42.44

$1.33 MVR 20.58

$4.33 MVR 66.8

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.52 MVR 162

$1.32 MVR 20.29

$16.43 MVR 253

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.24 MVR 127

$7.91 MVR 122

$15.17 MVR 234

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 MVR 9.77

$0.44 MVR 6.77

$0.95 MVR 14.58

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.09 MVR 449

$21.7 MVR 335

$32.88 MVR 507

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2 MVR 30.83

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 MVR 29.83

$1.61 MVR 24.78

$1.93 MVR 29.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.58 MVR 148

$4.79 MVR 73.9

$15.97 MVR 246

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.9 MVR 13.85

$0.81 MVR 12.51

$0.94 MVR 14.44

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

$32.8K MVR 505.5K

$26.2K MVR 404.4K

$39.3K MVR 606.6K

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

$34.6K MVR 534.1K

$33K MVR 508.7K

$36.3K MVR 559.6K

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

$107 MVR 1,652

$78.4 MVR 1,209

$229 MVR 3,527

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

$40.72 MVR 628

$25.55 MVR 394

$47.91 MVR 739

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78 MVR 1,203

$42.61 MVR 657

$184 MVR 2,831

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.9 MVR 1,248

$58.3 MVR 898

$97.1 MVR 1,498

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.9 MVR 661

$32.17 MVR 496

$42.9 MVR 661

Cinema Ticket

$9.85 MVR 152

$8.54 MVR 132

$10.51 MVR 162

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

$166 MVR 2,555

$108 MVR 1,670

$197 MVR 3,036

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,532 MVR 54.5K

$2,317 MVR 35.7K

$6,177 MVR 95.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.19 MVR 681

$12.8 MVR 197

$89.7 MVR 1,382

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.5 MVR 871

$19.47 MVR 300

$104 MVR 1,601

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.6 MVR 1,382

$32.48 MVR 501

$162 MVR 2,504

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54 MVR 832

$32.5 MVR 501

$78 MVR 1,203

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$949 MVR 14.6K

$837 MVR 12.9K

$1,287 MVR 19.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$700 MVR 10.8K

$644 MVR 9,932

$1,031 MVR 15.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,693 MVR 26.1K

$1,295 MVR 20K

$2,266 MVR 34.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,437 MVR 22.2K

$1,183 MVR 18.2K

$1,972 MVR 30.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,219 MVR 49.6K

$1,755 MVR 27.1K

$5,410 MVR 83.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,904 MVR 29.4K

$1,301 MVR 20.1K

$2,450 MVR 37.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,114 MVR 17.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.