Cost of living in Maldives compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 98% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Maldives is 98% more expensive than in India | ||||
Maldives | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 254 Rufiyaa (₨1,404) | ₨405 | + 246% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 154 Rufiyaa (₨852) | ₨361 | + 136% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 28 Rufiyaa (₨152) | ₨178 | - 15% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 23 Rufiyaa (₨127) | ₨62 | + 104% | |
12 eggs, large | 25 Rufiyaa (₨136) | ₨102 | + 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 35 Rufiyaa (₨194) | ₨45 | + 332% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Rufiyaa (₨747) | ₨254 | + 194% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 70 Rufiyaa (₨387) | ₨195 | + 98% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 14 Rufiyaa (₨77) | ₨41 | + 89% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (₨332) | ₨166 | + 100% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (₨360) | ₨909 | - 60% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 7 Rufiyaa (₨39) | ₨93 | - 58% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 19 Rufiyaa (₨104) | ₨41 | + 152% | |
Housing | + 205% | |||
Housing in Maldives is 205% more expensive than in India | ||||
Maldives | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,413 Rufiyaa (₨140,563) | ₨47,435 | + 196% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,330 Rufiyaa (₨112,450) | ₨28,288 | + 298% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,302 Rufiyaa (₨34,860) | ₨5,128 | + 580% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Rufiyaa (₨110,625) | ₨30,304 | + 265% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa (₨67,698) | ₨17,855 | + 279% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa (₨5,844) | ₨4,698 | + 24% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa (₨3,527) | ₨737 | + 379% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,000 Rufiyaa (₨16,594) | ₨25,574 | - 35% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,300 Rufiyaa (₨18,253) | ₨12,652 | + 44% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 147 Rufiyaa (₨813) | ₨536 | + 52% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨743 | - | |
Clothes | + 100% | |||
Clothes in Maldives is 100% more expensive than in India | ||||
Maldives | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 950 Rufiyaa (₨5,255) | ₨2,366 | + 122% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 900 Rufiyaa (₨4,978) | ₨2,561 | + 94% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,250 Rufiyaa (₨6,914) | ₨4,197 | + 65% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,250 Rufiyaa (₨6,914) | ₨2,957 | + 134% | |
Transportation | + 53% | |||
Transportation in Maldives is 53% more expensive than in India | ||||
Maldives | India | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa (₨2,078,379) | ₨1,758,920 | + 18% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 55 Rufiyaa (₨304) | ₨103 | + 194% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 300 Rufiyaa (₨1,659) | ₨1,626 | + 2% | |
Personal Care | + 20% | |||
Personal Care in Maldives is 20% more expensive than in India | ||||
Maldives | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 110 Rufiyaa (₨608) | ₨94 | + 548% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 100 Rufiyaa (₨553) | ₨250 | + 121% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₨1,186 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa (₨376) | ₨346 | + 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Rufiyaa (₨173) | ₨229 | - 25% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 55 Rufiyaa (₨304) | ₨271 | + 12% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Rufiyaa (₨155) | ₨195 | - 20% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 43 Rufiyaa (₨238) | ₨96 | + 147% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa (₨553) | ₨314 | + 76% | |
Entertainment | + 79% | |||
Entertainment in Maldives is 79% more expensive than in India | ||||
Maldives | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 400 Rufiyaa (₨2,212) | ₨1,276 | + 73% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa (₨1,003) | ₨640 | + 57% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,586 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Rufiyaa (₨2,212) | ₨2,144 | + 3% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa (₨4,425) | ₨709 | + 525% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 40 Rufiyaa (₨221) | ₨234 | - 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa (₨265) | ₨200 | + 32% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa (₨55,312) | ₨42,549 | + 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.50 Rufiyaa (₨8) | ₨5.78 | + 44% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Rufiyaa (₨5,531) | ₨1,629 | + 239% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 89 Rufiyaa (₨494) | ₨273 | + 81% | |
TOTAL | + 101% |

These prices were last updated on May 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
5.531
INR
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 101% more expensive than in India
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