Cost of Living in the Maldives – The Numbers
(Updated May 2025)
Friendly people, a safe environment, white-sandy beaches, shimmering blue water, and incredible marine life still draw millions of tourists to the Maldives every year. It’s no surprise, then, that so many of those visitors dream of staying for good. If you’ve decided to relocate, the first step is understanding what your day-to-day expenses will look like once you arrive.
SDC International Shipping has prepared this guide to walk you through the 2025 cost picture and help you plant roots on one of the islands in this archipelagic nation.
The Maldives in Comparison to U.S. Cities
One of the first things to consider is how many Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) your U.S. dollars buy, how far they go, and what you’ll spend in handling charges when exchanging money. If you’ll be paid in U.S. dollars, you’ll visit an exchange desk often.
Currency note – the only official exchange counter is the Bank of Maldives Foreign Exchange desk in the arrivals hall at Malé–Velana International Airport; hotel desks typically tack on a higher margin. As of 17 May 2025, $1 USD ≈ Rf 15.23.
Snapshot of basic monthly costs
| Location | 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) | Meal for 2 (Mid-range) | Public-Transit Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives (Malé) | Rf 14,222 ($934) | Rf 450 ($30) | Rf 442 ($29) |
| New York | $3,992 | $135 | $132 |
| Los Angeles | $2,603 | $100 | $83 |
| San Diego | $2,704 | $100 | $72 |
| San Francisco | $3,259 | $125 | $93 |
| Houston | $1,658 | $80 | $75 |
| Dallas | $1,616 | $80 | $91 |
The Currency
After exchanging your money, you’ll receive Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf). One U.S. dollar buys roughly 15.23 Rf, and the currency is kept within a narrow peg against the dollar.
The Most Expensive and Cheapest Islands in the Maldives
Island costs vary sharply:
- Most expensive: Vilimale’, Hulhumalé and Malé (the capital)
- More affordable: Local-life islands such as Bodu Huraa and Addu City
The General Cost of Living in the Maldives
| Total Living Expenses (no rent) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| One person | $521 / Rf 7,936 per month $6,252 per year |
| Family of four | $1,465 / Rf 22,266 per month $17,580 per year |
Average Salaries in the Maldives
| Industry | Avg. Salary (Rf) | Avg. Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | 32,679 | 2,146 |
| Electrical & Power Engineering | 22,280 | 1,463 |
| General Labor | 13,396 | 880 |
| Human Resources | 22,203 | 1,458 |
| Economy/Finance/Accountancy | 22,559 | 1,482 |
| Customer Support | 19,048 | 1,251 |
| Car Industry | 20,962 | 1,378 |
| Banking | 24,820 | 1,630 |
| Administration | 18,403 | 1,208 |
| Construction & Real Estate | 23,078 | 1,516 |
| Marketing & Advertising | 21,524 | 1,413 |
| Management | 31,518 | 2,069 |
| Medicine & Social Care | 24,302 | 1,596 |
| Telecommunications | 26,466 | 1,738 |
Housing and Accommodation in the Maldives
Housing often represents 30 – 50 % of a household budget. Below are typical monthly rents.
Rent in Malé
| Accommodation | Rf | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Small apartment – city center | 14,222 | 934 |
| Small apartment – outside center | 10,000 | 657 |
| Large apartment – city center | 26,000 | 1,707 |
| Large apartment – outside center | 21,375 | 1,403 |
| Internet (60 Mbps +) | 1,190 | 78 |
Rent in Hulhumalé
| Accommodation | Rf | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Small apartment – city center | 20,000 | 1,313 |
| Small apartment – outside center | 12,000 | 788 |
| Large apartment – city center | 45,000 | 2,955 |
| Large apartment – outside center | 35,000 | 2,298 |
| Internet (60 Mbps +) | 1,190* | 78 |
*Typical ISP package; Hulhumalé prices mirror Malé.
Healthcare and Dental Costs in the Maldives
Two main hospitals—Indira Gandhi Memorial (public) and ADK Hospital (private)—provide general and specialist care. Registered expatriate workers receive compulsory public health insurance worth roughly Rf 100,000 ($6,500) per year, paid by their employer, covering doctor visits, diagnostics, emergency care, medications and limited dental work. Private or international cover is strongly advised to handle serious illness or emergency evacuation.
Travel and Transportation Costs in the Maldives
Malé is compact enough that most destinations are within a 15-minute walk; motorbikes dominate local streets. Inter-island travel is by public ferry, fast speedboat or (for resort transfers) seaplane.
| Transportation Item | Avg. Cost (Rf) | Avg. Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 14.3 | 0.94 |
| Monthly bus pass (Malé) | 442 | 29 |
| One-way bus ticket | 10 | 0.66 |
| Taxi fare (first km) | 30 | 1.97 |
| New car (e.g., Toyota Corolla or VW Golf) | 500,000 – 700,000 | 32,800 – 45,970 |
Education Costs in the Maldives
| Level | Average Cost per Child |
|---|---|
| Preschool / kindergarten (monthly) | Rf 2,525 ($166) |
| International primary school (annual) | Rf 54,888 ($3,607) |
| Bachelor’s program (6 semesters) – Maldives National University | Rf 27,840 ($1,828) |
How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably?
“Comfortable” is subjective, but many Maldivians cite Rf 39,400 ($2,587) per month for a family or Rf 11,700 ($768) for a single person (both excluding rent) as a pleasant standard of living. If you’ll be renting a modest one-bedroom in Malé, plan on roughly Rf 22 – 25 K ($1,450 – 1,640) per month as a single or Rf 55 – 60 K ($3,600 – 3,950) for a family of four once you add housing, food, utilities, transport and leisure.
Overall, while the Maldives is not a rock-bottom budget destination, everyday expenses—especially housing, local transport and basic services—remain lower than in the United States. With good planning, island life can be attainable on a mid-range international salary or pension.
