Cost of living in Maldives compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Maldives is 25% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 254 Rufiyaa (¥2,443) | ¥998 | + 145% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 155 Rufiyaa (¥1,495) | ¥723 | + 107% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 28 Rufiyaa (¥265) | ¥544 | - 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 23 Rufiyaa (¥221) | ¥204 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 97 Rufiyaa (¥937) | ¥323 | + 190% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 35 Rufiyaa (¥337) | ¥616 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Rufiyaa (¥1,300) | ¥934 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 70 Rufiyaa (¥674) | ¥850 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 14 Rufiyaa (¥135) | ¥535 | - 75% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (¥578) | ¥288 | + 100% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (¥626) | ¥1,240 | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 33 Rufiyaa (¥319) | ¥240 | + 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 19 Rufiyaa (¥182) | ¥202 | - 10% | |
| Housing | + 10% | |||
| Housing in Maldives is 10% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,413 Rufiyaa (¥244,627) | ¥279,056 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,330 Rufiyaa (¥195,702) | ¥163,427 | + 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,302 Rufiyaa (¥60,668) | ¥23,363 | + 160% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,282 Rufiyaa (¥156,738) | ¥150,519 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa (¥117,818) | ¥81,210 | + 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa (¥10,170) | ¥36,753 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa (¥6,137) | ¥4,386 | + 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,000 Rufiyaa (¥28,879) | ¥49,710 | - 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,300 Rufiyaa (¥31,767) | ¥17,687 | + 80% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 147 Rufiyaa (¥1,415) | ¥1,118 | + 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,483 | - | |
| Clothes | + 47% | |||
| Clothes in Maldives is 47% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 950 Rufiyaa (¥9,145) | ¥6,145 | + 49% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 900 Rufiyaa (¥8,664) | ¥5,263 | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,250 Rufiyaa (¥12,033) | ¥9,604 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,250 Rufiyaa (¥12,033) | ¥13,529 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in Maldives is 18% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa (¥3,617,096) | ¥2,697,750 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 55 Rufiyaa (¥529) | ¥169 | + 212% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 300 Rufiyaa (¥2,888) | ¥10,153 | - 72% | |
| Personal Care | - 42% | |||
| Personal Care in Maldives is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 110 Rufiyaa (¥1,059) | ¥2,154 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 100 Rufiyaa (¥963) | ¥2,551 | - 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥5,499 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa (¥655) | ¥1,340 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Rufiyaa (¥301) | ¥842 | - 64% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 55 Rufiyaa (¥529) | ¥750 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Rufiyaa (¥270) | ¥225 | + 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 43 Rufiyaa (¥414) | ¥233 | + 78% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa (¥963) | ¥3,812 | - 75% | |
| Entertainment | - 13% | |||
| Entertainment in Maldives is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 400 Rufiyaa (¥3,851) | ¥4,064 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa (¥1,745) | ¥3,590 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥4,524 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Rufiyaa (¥3,851) | ¥6,047 | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa (¥7,701) | ¥896 | + 759% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 40 Rufiyaa (¥385) | ¥487 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa (¥462) | ¥585 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa (¥96,263) | ¥98,506 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.50 Rufiyaa (¥14) | ¥52 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Rufiyaa (¥9,626) | ¥9,275 | + 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 89 Rufiyaa (¥859) | ¥587 | + 46% | |
| TOTAL | - 1% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 760 prices entered by 124 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
9.626
JPY
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is about the same as in Japan
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