Cost of Living in Male - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $714 (excluding rent), and $1,524 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,658 (excluding rent), and $3,185 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.32 MVR 82.2

$4.19 MVR 64.7

$6.44 MVR 99.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.84 MVR 446

$19.22 MVR 297

$115 MVR 1,782

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.63 MVR 149

$7.70 MVR 119

$9.63 MVR 149

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.47 MVR 69.1

$3.20 MVR 49.43

$4.79 MVR 74.1

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 MVR 58.5

$2.64 MVR 40.79

$4.95 MVR 76.4

Cappuccino

$2.86 MVR 44.21

$0.95 MVR 14.69

$5.72 MVR 88.4

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

$1.27 MVR 19.56

$0.94 MVR 14.59

$1.90 MVR 29.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 MVR 3.83

$0.18 MVR 2.80

$0.62 MVR 9.56

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 MVR 28.31

$1.60 MVR 24.73

$2.09 MVR 32.35

White Bread (500g)

$1.55 MVR 23.95

$1.15 MVR 17.74

$1.91 MVR 29.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 MVR 20.38

$0.32 MVR 4.87

$2.24 MVR 34.53

Eggs

$1.71 MVR 26.49

$1.53 MVR 23.61

$2.29 MVR 35.42

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.08 MVR 125

$2.88 MVR 44.48

$16.64 MVR 257

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.21 MVR 95.9

$4.57 MVR 70.6

$9.14 MVR 141

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.11 MVR 141

$6.66 MVR 103

$13.00 MVR 201

Apples (1kg)

$3.93 MVR 60.7

$1.58 MVR 24.48

$5.08 MVR 78.4

Banana (1kg)

$3.68 MVR 56.9

$1.89 MVR 29.27

$5.04 MVR 77.9

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 MVR 65.5

$1.15 MVR 17.81

$5.11 MVR 79.0

Tomato (1kg)

$3.20 MVR 49.51

$1.92 MVR 29.71

$4.16 MVR 64.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.51 MVR 23.35

$0.96 MVR 14.80

$2.57 MVR 39.67

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 MVR 19.07

$0.80 MVR 12.39

$2.01 MVR 30.98

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.20 MVR 49.40

$1.06 MVR 16.31

$7.91 MVR 122

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 MVR 7.76

$0.31 MVR 4.78

$0.75 MVR 11.65

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$9.42 MVR 146

$5.03 MVR 77.6

$31.39 MVR 485

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 MVR 42.36

$1.33 MVR 20.55

$4.32 MVR 66.7

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.59 MVR 164

$1.33 MVR 20.47

$16.54 MVR 256

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.89 MVR 122

$7.58 MVR 117

$14.53 MVR 225

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 MVR 9.78

$0.44 MVR 6.77

$0.95 MVR 14.60

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.40 MVR 439

$21.18 MVR 327

$32.10 MVR 496

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.00 MVR 30.92

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.99 MVR 30.78

$1.66 MVR 25.57

$1.99 MVR 30.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.79 MVR 151

$4.89 MVR 75.6

$16.31 MVR 252

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.92 MVR 14.16

$0.83 MVR 12.79

$0.96 MVR 14.76

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

$31.9K MVR 493.4K

$25.5K MVR 394.7K

$38.3K MVR 592.1K

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

$34.6K MVR 534.9K

$33.0K MVR 509.4K

$36.3K MVR 560.3K

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

$106 MVR 1,643

$77.8 MVR 1,202

$227 MVR 3,507

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

$41.57 MVR 642

$26.09 MVR 403

$48.92 MVR 756

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.8 MVR 1,202

$42.49 MVR 656

$183 MVR 2,828

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$82.4 MVR 1,273

$59.3 MVR 917

$98.9 MVR 1,528

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$43.11 MVR 666

$32.33 MVR 500

$43.11 MVR 666

Cinema Ticket

$9.79 MVR 151

$8.48 MVR 131

$10.44 MVR 161

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

$167 MVR 2,579

$109 MVR 1,685

$198 MVR 3,064

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,589 MVR 55.5K

$2,354 MVR 36.4K

$6,278 MVR 97.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.99 MVR 680

$12.75 MVR 197

$89.3 MVR 1,379

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.2 MVR 868

$19.37 MVR 299

$103 MVR 1,596

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.2 MVR 1,409

$33.05 MVR 511

$165 MVR 2,553

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$54.5 MVR 842

$32.85 MVR 507

$78.8 MVR 1,218

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$962 MVR 14.9K

$848 MVR 13.1K

$1,304 MVR 20.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$710 MVR 11.0K

$653 MVR 10.1K

$1,045 MVR 16.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,703 MVR 26.3K

$1,303 MVR 20.1K

$2,280 MVR 35.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,439 MVR 22.2K

$1,185 MVR 18.3K

$1,975 MVR 30.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,175 MVR 49.0K

$1,729 MVR 26.7K

$5,343 MVR 82.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,880 MVR 29.1K

$1,285 MVR 19.9K

$2,420 MVR 37.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$893 MVR 13.8K

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 11, 2026

Male Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

191

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.