Cost of Living in Male - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $722 (excluding rent), and $1,512 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,683 (excluding rent), and $3,191 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.42 MVR 83.7

$4.27 MVR 65.9

$6.56 MVR 101

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.13 MVR 449

$19.41 MVR 300

$117 MVR 1,798

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.48 MVR 146

$7.59 MVR 117

$9.48 MVR 146

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.47 MVR 68.9

$3.20 MVR 49.33

$4.79 MVR 73.9

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 MVR 58.5

$2.64 MVR 40.81

$4.95 MVR 76.4

Cappuccino

$2.99 MVR 46.17

$0.99 MVR 15.34

$5.98 MVR 92.3

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

$1.27 MVR 19.65

$0.95 MVR 14.66

$1.91 MVR 29.47

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 MVR 4.18

$0.20 MVR 3.06

$0.68 MVR 10.46

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 MVR 28.59

$1.62 MVR 24.98

$2.12 MVR 32.68

White Bread (500g)

$1.54 MVR 23.78

$1.14 MVR 17.61

$1.90 MVR 29.35

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 MVR 20.22

$0.31 MVR 4.83

$2.22 MVR 34.25

Eggs

$1.80 MVR 27.78

$1.60 MVR 24.76

$2.41 MVR 37.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.02 MVR 124

$2.86 MVR 44.08

$16.51 MVR 255

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.13 MVR 94.6

$4.51 MVR 69.6

$9.03 MVR 139

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.99 MVR 139

$6.57 MVR 101

$12.83 MVR 198

Apples (1kg)

$3.98 MVR 61.4

$1.60 MVR 24.75

$5.14 MVR 79.3

Banana (1kg)

$3.68 MVR 56.8

$1.89 MVR 29.22

$5.04 MVR 77.8

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 MVR 67.7

$1.19 MVR 18.42

$5.29 MVR 81.7

Tomato (1kg)

$3.16 MVR 48.77

$1.90 MVR 29.26

$4.10 MVR 63.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.57 MVR 24.19

$0.99 MVR 15.33

$2.66 MVR 41.10

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 MVR 18.92

$0.80 MVR 12.30

$1.99 MVR 30.75

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 MVR 48.21

$1.03 MVR 15.92

$7.73 MVR 119

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 MVR 8.20

$0.33 MVR 5.05

$0.80 MVR 12.30

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$12.22 MVR 189

$3.20 MVR 49.31

$16.00 MVR 247

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 MVR 41.71

$1.31 MVR 20.23

$4.26 MVR 65.7

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.52 MVR 162

$1.32 MVR 20.32

$16.44 MVR 254

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.31 MVR 128

$7.99 MVR 123

$15.31 MVR 236

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 MVR 10.30

$0.46 MVR 7.13

$1.00 MVR 15.38

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.20 MVR 435

$21.04 MVR 325

$31.88 MVR 492

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.01 MVR 30.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 MVR 29.70

$1.60 MVR 24.67

$1.92 MVR 29.70

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.62 MVR 148

$4.81 MVR 74.2

$16.02 MVR 247

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 MVR 14.56

$0.85 MVR 13.15

$0.98 MVR 15.19

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

$32.6K MVR 503.2K

$26.1K MVR 402.6K

$39.1K MVR 603.9K

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

$33.9K MVR 522.5K

$32.2K MVR 497.6K

$35.5K MVR 547.4K

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

$107 MVR 1,653

$78.4 MVR 1,209

$229 MVR 3,527

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

$41.45 MVR 640

$26.01 MVR 401

$48.77 MVR 753

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.9 MVR 1,202

$42.54 MVR 656

$183 MVR 2,828

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.2 MVR 1,253

$58.5 MVR 902

$97.5 MVR 1,504

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$43.50 MVR 671

$32.62 MVR 503

$43.50 MVR 671

Cinema Ticket

$9.71 MVR 150

$8.42 MVR 130

$10.36 MVR 160

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

$163 MVR 2,520

$107 MVR 1,647

$194 MVR 2,994

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,581 MVR 55.3K

$2,349 MVR 36.2K

$6,263 MVR 96.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.05 MVR 680

$12.77 MVR 197

$89.4 MVR 1,379

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.1 MVR 881

$19.67 MVR 304

$105 MVR 1,619

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.8 MVR 1,369

$32.16 MVR 496

$161 MVR 2,481

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.8 MVR 830

$32.39 MVR 500

$77.7 MVR 1,199

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$976 MVR 15.1K

$860 MVR 13.3K

$1,323 MVR 20.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$707 MVR 10.9K

$650 MVR 10.0K

$1,040 MVR 16.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,665 MVR 25.7K

$1,274 MVR 19.7K

$2,229 MVR 34.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,414 MVR 21.8K

$1,164 MVR 18.0K

$1,941 MVR 29.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,222 MVR 34.3K

$1,593 MVR 24.6K

$5,302 MVR 81.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,927 MVR 29.7K

$1,317 MVR 20.3K

$2,480 MVR 38.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$856 MVR 13.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.4

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Male Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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

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.