Cost of living in Maldives compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Maldives is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 193 Rufiyaa (¥1,606) | ¥1,145 | + 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 155 Rufiyaa (¥1,293) | ¥719 | + 80% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 70 Rufiyaa (¥583) | ¥437 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 28 Rufiyaa (¥236) | ¥211 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 32 Rufiyaa (¥267) | ¥282 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 50 Rufiyaa (¥415) | ¥815 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 124 Rufiyaa (¥1,031) | ¥951 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 51 Rufiyaa (¥428) | ¥984 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Rufiyaa (¥153) | ¥421 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (¥499) | ¥268 | + 87% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (¥541) | ¥1,770 | - 69% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 20 Rufiyaa (¥166) | ¥217 | - 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 23 Rufiyaa (¥191) | ¥225 | - 15% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in Maldives is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 27,012 Rufiyaa (¥224,846) | ¥194,768 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 18,794 Rufiyaa (¥156,445) | ¥126,641 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,399 Rufiyaa (¥11,648) | ¥21,178 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,282 Rufiyaa (¥135,535) | ¥142,258 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa (¥101,880) | ¥80,836 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa (¥8,794) | ¥13,643 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa (¥5,307) | ¥3,988 | + 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 7,284 Rufiyaa (¥60,636) | ¥59,521 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,144 Rufiyaa (¥17,843) | ¥17,809 | + 0% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 142 Rufiyaa (¥1,178) | ¥665 | + 77% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 73 Rufiyaa (¥608) | ¥2,700 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | + 75% | |||
| Clothes in Maldives is 75% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,356 Rufiyaa (¥11,291) | ¥7,941 | + 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,141 Rufiyaa (¥9,499) | ¥4,162 | + 128% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,835 Rufiyaa (¥15,274) | ¥7,471 | + 104% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,087 Rufiyaa (¥9,049) | ¥15,388 | - 41% | |
| Transportation | - 62% | |||
| Transportation in Maldives is 62% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa (¥3,127,800) | ¥2,576,380 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 10 Rufiyaa (¥81) | ¥161 | - 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 437 Rufiyaa (¥3,636) | ¥16,725 | - 78% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Maldives is 31% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 53 Rufiyaa (¥442) | ¥1,370 | - 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 198 Rufiyaa (¥1,650) | ¥1,955 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 448 Rufiyaa (¥3,728) | ¥3,523 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa (¥566) | ¥2,205 | - 74% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 43 Rufiyaa (¥358) | ¥648 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 66 Rufiyaa (¥553) | ¥409 | + 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 30 Rufiyaa (¥251) | ¥143 | + 76% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 22 Rufiyaa (¥180) | ¥184 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa (¥832) | ¥3,583 | - 77% | |
| Entertainment | - 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Maldives is 15% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 244 Rufiyaa (¥2,030) | ¥4,280 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa (¥1,509) | ¥3,593 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥20,657 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 559 Rufiyaa (¥4,653) | ¥6,242 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa (¥6,659) | ¥1,034 | + 544% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 51 Rufiyaa (¥423) | ¥533 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa (¥400) | ¥526 | - 24% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa (¥83,241) | ¥58,872 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.43 Rufiyaa (¥12) | ¥41 | - 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,195 Rufiyaa (¥9,945) | ¥11,178 | - 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 74 Rufiyaa (¥616) | ¥554 | + 11% | |
| TOTAL | - 22% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 609 prices entered by 82 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
8.324
JPY
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 22% cheaper than in Japan
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