Cost Of Living For a Family in Maldives 2025

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Maldives

Average monthly spending for families in Maldives

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: MVR
10,000 28,000 180,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$650 $1,800 $12,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Maldives?

Families in Maldives spend around 28,000 MVR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 10,000 MVR or as high as 180,000 MVR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Maldives


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Maldives

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

19 MVR 38 MVR 64 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $2.5 $4.1

Restaurant meal for one

64 MVR 96 MVR 190 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $6.2 $12

Fine dining meal for one

130 MVR 190 MVR 770 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.3 $12 $50

Cappuccino or latte

16 MVR 26 MVR 38 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.7 $2.5

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

13 MVR 15 MVR 19 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.83 $1.00 $1.2

12 eggs

9.6 MVR 13 MVR 19 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.62 $0.83 $1.2

Fresh whole chicken

22 MVR 28 MVR 40 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.8 $2.6

Pack of beef

26 MVR 38 MVR 77 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.5 $5

Medium bag of rice

10 MVR 14 MVR 20 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.67 $0.92 $1.3

Bag of tomatos

3.8 MVR 5.1 MVR 9.6 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.25 $0.33 $0.62

Bag of apples

6.9 MVR 9 MVR 15 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.44 $0.58 $0.96
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Maldives


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

16 MVR 19 MVR 38 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.2 $2.5

Average car full tank

96 MVR 130 MVR 260 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $8.3 $17

Average car 1-day rental

96 MVR 130 MVR 190 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $8.3 $12

Average car price

48,000 MVR 96,000 MVR 130,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,100 $6,200 $8,300

Bus ticket one way

3.2 MVR 4.8 MVR 9.6 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.21 $0.31 $0.62

Car Service

130 MVR 190 MVR 380 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.3 $12 $25
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Maldives


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

500 MVR 1,400 MVR 9,200 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$32 $92 $600

Internet and cable

96 MVR 190 MVR 260 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $12 $17

Mobile phone charges

77 MVR 130 MVR 380 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5 $8.3 $25

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

48 MVR 64 MVR 96 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.1 $6.2

One month gym membership

150 MVR 190 MVR 380 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $12 $25
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Maldives


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

110 MVR 160 MVR 240 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.3 $10 $16

Woman dress

110 MVR 150 MVR 480 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.9 $9.6 $31

Woman shoes

100 MVR 140 MVR 320 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.6 $8.9 $21

Men's shoes

87 MVR 110 MVR 210 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.7 $6.9 $14

Men suit

96 MVR 120 MVR 640 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $7.8 $41

Regular t-shirt

48 MVR 64 MVR 190 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.1 $12
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Maldives


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

1,600 MVR 2,400 MVR 6,400 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $160 $410

1-bedroom apartment

2,400 MVR 3,800 MVR 9,600 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $250 $620

2-bedroom apartment

3,200 MVR 4,800 MVR 13,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210 $310 $830

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

320,000 MVR 480,000 MVR 960,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21,000 $31,000 $62,000

1-bedroom apartment

380,000 MVR 640,000 MVR 2.4M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25,000 $41,000 $160,000

2-bedroom apartment

640,000 MVR 1.9M MVR 3.8M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$41,000 $120,000 $250,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Maldives


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

1,900 MVR 2,400 MVR 3,200 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $160 $210

Double Bed

1,300 MVR 1,900 MVR 2,400 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$83 $120 $160

Single Bed

1,100 MVR 1,500 MVR 1,900 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$73 $96 $120

Living Room

2,100 MVR 2,700 MVR 9,600 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $180 $620

Dining Table

960 MVR 1,300 MVR 2,400 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $83 $160

Sofa or Couch

1,300 MVR 1,700 MVR 3,800 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$83 $110 $250
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Maldives


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

1,300 MVR 1,900 MVR 3,800 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$83 $120 $250

Fridge or Freezer

1,100 MVR 1,700 MVR 2,400 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$73 $110 $160

Washing Machine

1,500 MVR 2,100 MVR 3,800 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$96 $140 $250

Stove or Cooker

1,400 MVR 1,700 MVR 2,400 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$89 $110 $160

Mobile Phone

1,600 MVR 1,900 MVR 2,700 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $120 $180

Laptop or Computer

1,700 MVR 2,100 MVR 3,800 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $140 $250
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Maldives

Family expenditure to income ratio in Maldives

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Maldives

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

88%

80% to 98%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Maldives spend around 88% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 80% of their income while some as high as 98%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Maldives

How do families spend their money in Maldives?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost29%

29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)

LOW$210   3,200 MVR
AVERAGE$590   9,100 MVR
HIGH$3,800   59,000 MVR
Per Month

Families in Maldives typically spend from 24% to 39% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 29% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 9,100 MVR with expenditure ranging from 3,200 MVR to 59,000 MVR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$32   500 MVR
AVERAGE$92   1,400 MVR
HIGH$600   9,200 MVR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Maldives ranges from 2% to 7% of total expenses with 4% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,400 MVR with 500 MVR and 9,200 MVR being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$65   1,000 MVR
AVERAGE$180   2,800 MVR
HIGH$1,200   18,000 MVR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 1,000 MVR to 18,000 MVR in a month on commuting with 2,800 MVR being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$120   1,800 MVR
AVERAGE$330   5,100 MVR
HIGH$2,200   33,000 MVR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Maldives is 5,100 MVR. The cost of groceries can range between 1,800 MVR to 33,000 MVR. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$58   900 MVR
AVERAGE$180   2,800 MVR
HIGH$960   15,000 MVR
Per Month

Families in Maldives allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 900 MVR to 15,000 MVR with 2,800 MVR being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$32   500 MVR
AVERAGE$92   1,400 MVR
HIGH$600   9,200 MVR
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 500 MVR to 9,200 MVR with 1,400 MVR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$90   1,400 MVR
AVERAGE$260   4,000 MVR
HIGH$1,700   26,000 MVR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 4,000 MVR per month with 1,400 MVR being the minimum spent amount and 26,000 MVR being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$52   800 MVR
AVERAGE$150   2,300 MVR
HIGH$960   15,000 MVR
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Maldives

What percentage of families in Maldives are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
55%
Not Saving
45%

Almost 55% of surveyed families in Maldives said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 45% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Maldives

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 19% of income 30%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

3,500 MVR
$230
9,900 MVR
$640
65,000 MVR
$4,200
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 11% to 30% of their monthly income to their savings, with 19% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 9,900 MVR with 3,500 MVR and 65,000 MVR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Maldives

Saving Challenges in Maldives

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Maldives. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans18%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later17%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Maldives

Typical saving choices for families in Maldives

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings16%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Maldives

Affordable living in Maldives

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Maldives?


Yes
61%
No
39%

Around 61% of surveyed families think that living in Maldives is affordable with proper budgeting while 39% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Maldives

Low-cost alternatives in Maldives

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options57%

Few low-cost options43%


Based on the survey, 57% of the families living in Maldives have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Maldives whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes58%

No42%


Based on the survey, 42% of the families living in Maldives said that they don't have an emergency fund while 58% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Maldives

Financial Literacy in Maldives

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy56%


We asked family guardians and parents in Maldives whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 44% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 56% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of Maldives have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 43% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 57% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance43%

Easily manages finances57%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Maldives

Financial goals of families in Maldives

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Maldives, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction33%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle11%
Healthcare Expenses9%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 33% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Maldives

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Maldives


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
30%
Debt Free
70%

According to the survey, 30% of the families in Maldives have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Maldives

Debt-to-income ratio in Maldives

Debt to income ratio

29%

20% to 38%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 29% of a family's monthly income in Maldives goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%12%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%15%
10% - 20%18%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Maldives pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Maldives

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage13%
Auto Loan22%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card25%
Personal Loan37%

13% of debtors in Maldives confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 22% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Maldives.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Maldives

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Maldives how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never55%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Maldives

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Maldives

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Maldives

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,600 MVR 2,400 MVR 6,400 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $160 $410

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,400 MVR 3,800 MVR 9,600 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $250 $620

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

3,200 MVR 4,800 MVR 13,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210 $310 $830

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

3,800 MVR 6,400 MVR 17,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250 $410 $1,100

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

7,700 MVR 19,000 MVR 38,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $1,200 $2,500

Townhouse monthly rent cost

6,400 MVR 9,600 MVR 27,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $620 $1,800

House monthly rent cost

7,700 MVR 19,000 MVR 38,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $1,200 $2,500

Villa monthly rent cost

9,600 MVR 24,000 MVR 38,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$620 $1,600 $2,500

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Maldives ranges between 1,600 MVR and 6,400 MVR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,400 MVR to 9,600 MVR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,200 MVR and 13,000 MVR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,800 MVR to 17,000 MVR. The average rent of a townhouse in Maldives is around 9,600 MVR while house rental costs can be as high as 19,000 MVR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 9,600 MVR to 38,000 MVR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Maldives

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

320,000 MVR 480,000 MVR 960,000 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21,000 $31,000 $62,000

1-bedroom apartment price

380,000 MVR 640,000 MVR 2.4M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25,000 $41,000 $160,000

2-bedroom apartment price

640,000 MVR 1.9M MVR 3.8M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$41,000 $120,000 $250,000

3-bedroom apartment price

2.1M MVR 3.2M MVR 9.6M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $210,000 $620,000

Townhouse price

2.7M MVR 6.4M MVR 24M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180,000 $410,000 $1.6M

House price

3.2M MVR 19M MVR 27M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210,000 $1.2M $1.8M

Villa price

3.8M MVR 21M MVR 32M MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250,000 $1.4M $2.1M

The average price of a studio apartment in Maldives can range from 320,000 MVR to 960,000 MVR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 380,000 MVR to 2.4M MVR. A villa can cost you 21M MVR on average with prices ranging from 3.8M MVR to 32M MVR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Maldives will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


40 x116 monthly income 209
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Maldives can be x116 to x209 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x116 multiples of the average monthly salary in Maldives.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


22% 32% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Maldives is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
30%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.2%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


28 MVR 370 MVR 3,700 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Maldives

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Maldives

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

500 MVR 1,400 MVR 9,200 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$32 $92 $600

Internet and cable cost

96 MVR 190 MVR 260 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $12 $17

Mobile phone bill and charges

77 MVR 130 MVR 380 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5 $8.3 $25

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 1,400 MVR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 96 MVR to 260 MVR with 190 MVR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 130 MVR but can range between 77 MVR and 380 MVR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2% 5% of income 9%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Maldives is around 5%. This means that people pay 5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 9% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Maldives

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Maldives

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

19 MVR 38 MVR 64 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $2.5 $4.1

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Maldives is approximatly 38 MVR with meal cost ranging from 19 MVR to 64 MVR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

64 MVR 96 MVR 190 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $6.2 $12

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 64 MVR and 190 MVR with 96 MVR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Maldives.

Fine dining meal for one price

130 MVR 190 MVR 770 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.3 $12 $50

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 130 MVR to 770 MVR with the average cost being 190 MVR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Maldives.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

16 MVR 26 MVR 38 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.7 $2.5

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Maldives is around 26 MVR. Price ranges between 16 MVR and 38 MVR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

13 MVR 15 MVR 19 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.83 $1.00 $1.2

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Maldives is 15 MVR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 19 MVR and the minimum being 13 MVR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

9.6 MVR 13 MVR 19 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.62 $0.83 $1.2

A dozen eggs costs around 13 MVR on average with 9.6 MVR and 19 MVR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

22 MVR 28 MVR 40 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.8 $2.6

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Maldives is between 22 MVR and 40 MVR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 28 MVR.

Pack of beef price

26 MVR 38 MVR 77 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.7 $2.5 $5

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 38 MVR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

10 MVR 14 MVR 20 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.67 $0.92 $1.3

A bag of rice in Maldives costs around 14 MVR on average with prices rangeing between 10 MVR and 20 MVR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

3.8 MVR 5.1 MVR 9.6 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.25 $0.33 $0.62

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.8 MVR to 9.6 MVR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

6.9 MVR 9 MVR 15 MVR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.44 $0.58 $0.96

A bag of apples costs 9 MVR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Maldives is around 26%. This means that families spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 1,800 MVR to 33,000 MVR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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