Cost of living in Malé (Maldives) is 47% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 590 prices entered by 101 different people.
| Food in Malé (Maldives) is 40% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Malé (Maldives) | San Francisco, California (United States) | Diff |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ||
| 149 Rufiyaa ($10) | $19 | 48% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ||
| 135 Rufiyaa ($9) | $9 | 5% |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ||
| 56 Rufiyaa ($3.65) | $5.20 | 30% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ||
| 31 Rufiyaa ($2.00) | $1.16 | 72% |
| 12 eggs, large | ||
| 28 Rufiyaa ($1.84) | $5.18 | 64% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ||
| 39 Rufiyaa ($2.56) | $4.92 | 48% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ||
| 125 Rufiyaa ($8) | $12 | 34% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ||
| 49 Rufiyaa ($3.15) | $4.15 | 24% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ||
| 23 Rufiyaa ($1.49) | $2.18 | 32% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ||
| 52 Rufiyaa ($3.36) | $5.54 | 39% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ||
| 155 Rufiyaa ($10) | $18 | 45% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ||
| 34 Rufiyaa ($2.21) | $2.51 | 12% |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ||
| 25 Rufiyaa ($1.63) | $3.82 | 57% |
| Housing in Malé (Maldives) is 53% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||
| Malé (Maldives) | San Francisco, California (United States) | Diff |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ||
| 26,433 Rufiyaa ($1,711) | $3,960 | 57% |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ||
| 17,439 Rufiyaa ($1,129) | $3,733 | 70% |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ||
| 2,027 Rufiyaa ($131) | $118 | 11% |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ||
| 20,352 Rufiyaa ($1,317) | $2,997 | 56% |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ||
| 13,946 Rufiyaa ($903) | $2,375 | 62% |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ||
| 1,573 Rufiyaa ($102) | $101 | 1% |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ||
| 768 Rufiyaa ($50) | $49 | 1% |
| 40” flat screen TV | ||
| 8,868 Rufiyaa ($574) | $518 | 11% |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ||
| 2,631 Rufiyaa ($170) | $139 | 22% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ||
| 123 Rufiyaa ($8) | $11 | 30% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ||
| 112 Rufiyaa ($7) | $42 | 83% |
| Clothes in Malé (Maldives) is 6% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||
| Malé (Maldives) | San Francisco, California (United States) | Diff |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ||
| 765 Rufiyaa ($49) | $60 | 17% |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ||
| 713 Rufiyaa ($46) | $42 | 10% |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ||
| 1,662 Rufiyaa ($108) | $105 | 3% |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ||
| 1,327 Rufiyaa ($86) | $171 | 50% |
| Transportation in Malé (Maldives) is 50% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||
| Malé (Maldives) | San Francisco, California (United States) | Diff |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ||
| 193,960 Rufiyaa ($12,554) | $23,327 | 46% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ||
| 11 Rufiyaa ($0.74) | $0.94 | 21% |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ||
| 617 Rufiyaa ($40) | $92 | 57% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ||
| 214 Rufiyaa ($14) | $19 | 25% |
| Personal Care in Malé (Maldives) is 52% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||
| Malé (Maldives) | San Francisco, California (United States) | Diff |
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ||
| 59 Rufiyaa ($3.82) | $9 | 57% |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ||
| 161 Rufiyaa ($10) | $12 | 13% |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ||
| 320 Rufiyaa ($21) | $132 | 84% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ||
| 73 Rufiyaa ($4.74) | $7 | 33% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ||
| 57 Rufiyaa ($3.70) | $4.80 | 23% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ||
| 70 Rufiyaa ($4.55) | $8 | 45% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ||
| 50 Rufiyaa ($3.22) | $4.63 | 30% |
| Tube of toothpaste | ||
| 29 Rufiyaa ($1.88) | $2.49 | 25% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ||
| 67 Rufiyaa ($4.33) | $32 | 87% |
| Entertainment in Malé (Maldives) is 42% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||
| Malé (Maldives) | San Francisco, California (United States) | Diff |
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ||
| 295 Rufiyaa ($19) | $61 | 69% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ||
| 206 Rufiyaa ($13) | $31 | 57% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ||
| 697 Rufiyaa ($45) | $263 | 83% |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ||
| 541 Rufiyaa ($35) | $109 | 68% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ||
| 768 Rufiyaa ($50) | $14 | 248% |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ||
| 51 Rufiyaa ($3.28) | $5.17 | 37% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ||
| 163 Rufiyaa ($11) | $9 | 23% |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ||
| 10,291 Rufiyaa ($666) | $405 | 64% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ||
| 1.31 Rufiyaa ($0.09) | $0.35 | 76% |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ||
| 827 Rufiyaa ($54) | $111 | 52% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ||
| 74 Rufiyaa ($4.79) | $11 | 58% |
Detailed prices for each city individually
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Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $11,000 in San Francisco, California you would need to make just about $5,825 (90,000 Rufiyaa) in Malé.