Cost of living in Maldives compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Maldives is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 193 Rufiyaa (¥1,335) | ¥941 | + 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 155 Rufiyaa (¥1,075) | ¥695 | + 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 70 Rufiyaa (¥484) | ¥426 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 28 Rufiyaa (¥196) | ¥203 | - 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 32 Rufiyaa (¥222) | ¥244 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 50 Rufiyaa (¥345) | ¥653 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 124 Rufiyaa (¥857) | ¥888 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 51 Rufiyaa (¥356) | ¥792 | - 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Rufiyaa (¥127) | ¥389 | - 67% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (¥415) | ¥306 | + 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (¥450) | ¥1,351 | - 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 37 Rufiyaa (¥253) | ¥185 | + 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 23 Rufiyaa (¥159) | ¥246 | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Maldives is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 27,012 Rufiyaa (¥186,931) | ¥295,978 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 18,794 Rufiyaa (¥130,064) | ¥169,167 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,399 Rufiyaa (¥9,684) | ¥25,258 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,282 Rufiyaa (¥112,680) | ¥144,655 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa (¥84,700) | ¥80,593 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa (¥7,311) | ¥13,235 | - 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa (¥4,412) | ¥4,060 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 7,284 Rufiyaa (¥50,411) | ¥55,604 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,144 Rufiyaa (¥14,834) | ¥10,692 | + 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 142 Rufiyaa (¥979) | ¥778 | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 73 Rufiyaa (¥506) | ¥2,599 | - 81% | |
| Clothes | + 45% | |||
| Clothes in Maldives is 45% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,356 Rufiyaa (¥9,387) | ¥6,849 | + 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,141 Rufiyaa (¥7,897) | ¥4,780 | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,835 Rufiyaa (¥12,698) | ¥8,249 | + 54% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,087 Rufiyaa (¥7,523) | ¥12,511 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in Maldives is 53% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa (¥2,600,367) | ¥2,585,890 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 10 Rufiyaa (¥67) | ¥135 | - 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 437 Rufiyaa (¥3,023) | ¥10,445 | - 71% | |
| Personal Care | - 43% | |||
| Personal Care in Maldives is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 53 Rufiyaa (¥368) | ¥1,225 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 198 Rufiyaa (¥1,372) | ¥1,626 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 448 Rufiyaa (¥3,099) | ¥6,148 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa (¥471) | ¥812 | - 42% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 43 Rufiyaa (¥298) | ¥655 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 66 Rufiyaa (¥460) | ¥501 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 30 Rufiyaa (¥209) | ¥170 | + 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 22 Rufiyaa (¥150) | ¥229 | - 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 45 Rufiyaa (¥313) | ¥2,983 | - 89% | |
| Entertainment | - 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Maldives is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 244 Rufiyaa (¥1,687) | ¥3,633 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa (¥1,255) | ¥3,657 | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥12,969 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 559 Rufiyaa (¥3,869) | ¥6,422 | - 40% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa (¥5,536) | ¥1,122 | + 394% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 51 Rufiyaa (¥351) | ¥445 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa (¥332) | ¥556 | - 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa (¥69,204) | ¥52,544 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.43 Rufiyaa (¥10) | ¥40 | - 75% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,195 Rufiyaa (¥8,268) | ¥9,497 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 101 Rufiyaa (¥699) | ¥525 | + 33% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 864 prices entered by 143 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
6.920
JPY
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 28% cheaper than in Japan
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