Cost of Living in Male - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $705 (excluding rent), and $1,526 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,680 (excluding rent), and $3,220 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.26 MVR 81.3

$4.14 MVR 64.0

$6.37 MVR 98.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.30 MVR 453

$19.53 MVR 302

$117 MVR 1,811

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.72 MVR 150

$7.77 MVR 120

$9.72 MVR 150

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.65 MVR 71.9

$3.33 MVR 51.5

$4.99 MVR 77.1

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 MVR 56.6

$2.55 MVR 39.42

$4.78 MVR 73.8

Cappuccino

$2.90 MVR 44.86

$0.96 MVR 14.90

$5.81 MVR 89.7

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

$1.31 MVR 20.30

$0.98 MVR 15.15

$1.97 MVR 30.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 MVR 4.21

$0.20 MVR 3.07

$0.68 MVR 10.52

Milk (1 liter)

$1.80 MVR 27.80

$1.57 MVR 24.29

$2.06 MVR 31.78

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 MVR 25.00

$1.20 MVR 18.52

$2.00 MVR 30.86

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.30 MVR 20.10

$0.31 MVR 4.80

$2.20 MVR 34.05

Eggs

$1.72 MVR 26.50

$1.53 MVR 23.62

$2.29 MVR 35.44

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.98 MVR 123

$2.84 MVR 43.91

$16.43 MVR 254

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.13 MVR 94.7

$4.51 MVR 69.7

$9.03 MVR 140

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.92 MVR 138

$6.53 MVR 101

$12.73 MVR 197

Apples (1kg)

$3.94 MVR 60.9

$1.59 MVR 24.56

$5.09 MVR 78.7

Banana (1kg)

$3.69 MVR 57.0

$1.90 MVR 29.32

$5.05 MVR 78.0

Oranges (1kg)

$4.19 MVR 64.7

$1.14 MVR 17.61

$5.06 MVR 78.1

Tomato (1kg)

$3.30 MVR 51.1

$1.98 MVR 30.64

$4.29 MVR 66.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.51 MVR 23.33

$0.96 MVR 14.79

$2.57 MVR 39.65

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 MVR 18.89

$0.79 MVR 12.28

$1.99 MVR 30.70

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.19 MVR 49.29

$1.05 MVR 16.27

$7.89 MVR 122

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 MVR 8.25

$0.33 MVR 5.08

$0.80 MVR 12.38

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$12.51 MVR 193

$3.28 MVR 50.7

$16.39 MVR 253

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 MVR 41.64

$1.31 MVR 20.20

$4.24 MVR 65.6

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.22 MVR 158

$1.28 MVR 19.75

$15.96 MVR 247

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.18 MVR 126

$7.86 MVR 121

$15.06 MVR 233

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 MVR 10.31

$0.46 MVR 7.14

$1.00 MVR 15.39

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.29 MVR 437

$21.10 MVR 326

$31.97 MVR 494

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.98 MVR 30.62

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.93 MVR 29.84

$1.60 MVR 24.79

$1.93 MVR 29.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.78 MVR 151

$4.89 MVR 75.5

$16.29 MVR 252

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 MVR 13.75

$0.80 MVR 12.42

$0.93 MVR 14.35

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

$32.2K MVR 497.7K

$25.8K MVR 398.2K

$38.7K MVR 597.3K

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

$34.3K MVR 530.3K

$32.7K MVR 505.0K

$36.0K MVR 555.5K

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

$106 MVR 1,636

$77.5 MVR 1,197

$226 MVR 3,492

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

$40.89 MVR 632

$25.66 MVR 396

$48.11 MVR 743

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.1 MVR 1,176

$41.56 MVR 642

$179 MVR 2,766

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 MVR 1,234

$57.5 MVR 888

$95.9 MVR 1,481

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.44 MVR 656

$31.83 MVR 492

$42.44 MVR 656

Cinema Ticket

$9.93 MVR 153

$8.60 MVR 133

$10.59 MVR 164

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

$164 MVR 2,537

$107 MVR 1,658

$195 MVR 3,015

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,561 MVR 55.0K

$2,335 MVR 36.1K

$6,228 MVR 96.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.64 MVR 690

$12.94 MVR 200

$90.6 MVR 1,399

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.5 MVR 889

$19.84 MVR 306

$106 MVR 1,635

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 MVR 1,364

$31.99 MVR 494

$160 MVR 2,471

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$53.6 MVR 828

$32.27 MVR 499

$77.5 MVR 1,197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$958 MVR 14.8K

$844 MVR 13.0K

$1,299 MVR 20.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$700 MVR 10.8K

$644 MVR 9,951

$1,030 MVR 15.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,674 MVR 25.9K

$1,281 MVR 19.8K

$2,241 MVR 34.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,420 MVR 21.9K

$1,170 MVR 18.1K

$1,950 MVR 30.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,263 MVR 35.0K

$1,622 MVR 25.1K

$5,396 MVR 83.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,868 MVR 28.9K

$1,276 MVR 19.7K

$2,404 MVR 37.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$857 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: April 12, 2026

Male Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.