Cost of living in Maldives compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 47% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Maldives is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
Maldives | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 254 Rufiyaa (117元) | 46元 | + 153% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 155 Rufiyaa (72元) | 40元 | + 80% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 28 Rufiyaa (13元) | 16元 | - 20% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 23 Rufiyaa (11元) | 18元 | - 41% | |
12 eggs, large | 97 Rufiyaa (45元) | 19元 | + 140% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 35 Rufiyaa (16元) | 11元 | + 49% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Rufiyaa (62元) | 63元 | - 0% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 70 Rufiyaa (32元) | 15元 | + 109% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 14 Rufiyaa (6元) | 6元 | + 2% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (28元) | 7元 | + 279% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (30元) | 118元 | - 74% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 33 Rufiyaa (15元) | 8元 | + 82% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 19 Rufiyaa (9元) | 16元 | - 47% | |
Housing | + 18% | |||
Housing in Maldives is 18% more expensive than in China | ||||
Maldives | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,413 Rufiyaa (11,753元) | 15,059元 | - 22% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,330 Rufiyaa (9,402元) | 9,006元 | + 4% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,302 Rufiyaa (2,915元) | 421元 | + 592% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,282 Rufiyaa (7,530元) | 7,547元 | - 0% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa (5,660元) | 4,347元 | + 30% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa (489元) | 262元 | + 86% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa (295元) | 115元 | + 156% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,000 Rufiyaa (1,387元) | 1,143元 | + 21% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,300 Rufiyaa (1,526元) | 589元 | + 159% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 147 Rufiyaa (68元) | 39元 | + 76% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 51元 | - | |
Clothes | + 22% | |||
Clothes in Maldives is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
Maldives | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 950 Rufiyaa (439元) | 529元 | - 17% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 900 Rufiyaa (416元) | 248元 | + 68% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,250 Rufiyaa (578元) | 626元 | - 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,250 Rufiyaa (578元) | 828元 | - 30% | |
Transportation | + 24% | |||
Transportation in Maldives is 24% more expensive than in China | ||||
Maldives | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa (173,776元) | 161,247元 | + 8% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 55 Rufiyaa (25元) | 9元 | + 197% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 300 Rufiyaa (139元) | 204元 | - 32% | |
Personal Care | - 13% | |||
Personal Care in Maldives is 13% cheaper than in China | ||||
Maldives | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 110 Rufiyaa (51元) | 39元 | + 30% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 100 Rufiyaa (46元) | 27元 | + 72% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 391元 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa (31元) | 53元 | - 40% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Rufiyaa (14元) | 33元 | - 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 55 Rufiyaa (25元) | 34元 | - 26% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Rufiyaa (13元) | 13元 | - 2% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 43 Rufiyaa (20元) | 15元 | + 35% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa (46元) | 74元 | - 38% | |
Entertainment | + 20% | |||
Entertainment in Maldives is 20% more expensive than in China | ||||
Maldives | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 400 Rufiyaa (185元) | 265元 | - 30% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa (84元) | 110元 | - 24% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,294元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Rufiyaa (185元) | 348元 | - 47% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa (370元) | 79元 | + 368% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 40 Rufiyaa (18元) | 29元 | - 37% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa (22元) | 18元 | + 24% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa (4,625元) | 3,321元 | + 39% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.50 Rufiyaa (0.69元) | 0.20元 | + 247% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Rufiyaa (462元) | 410元 | + 13% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 104 Rufiyaa (48元) | 24元 | + 98% | |
TOTAL | + 23% |

These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.46247
CNY
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 23% more expensive than in China
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