Cost of living in Maldives compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Maldives is 17% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 134 Rufiyaa (¥952) | ¥1,041 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 110 Rufiyaa (¥781) | ¥713 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 76 Rufiyaa (¥537) | ¥467 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 33 Rufiyaa (¥234) | ¥215 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 21 Rufiyaa (¥149) | ¥287 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 41 Rufiyaa (¥290) | ¥484 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 146 Rufiyaa (¥1,036) | ¥1,246 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 38 Rufiyaa (¥269) | ¥610 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 Rufiyaa (¥215) | ¥381 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (¥426) | ¥267 | + 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (¥462) | ¥1,801 | - 74% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 27 Rufiyaa (¥195) | ¥223 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 26 Rufiyaa (¥187) | ¥242 | - 23% | |
| Housing | + 18% | |||
| Housing in Maldives is 18% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 26,889 Rufiyaa (¥191,079) | ¥193,680 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 17,475 Rufiyaa (¥124,182) | ¥112,128 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 3,520 Rufiyaa (¥25,014) | ¥15,296 | + 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 22,426 Rufiyaa (¥159,363) | ¥127,930 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 16,436 Rufiyaa (¥116,796) | ¥84,445 | + 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Rufiyaa (¥14,212) | ¥11,742 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 896 Rufiyaa (¥6,367) | ¥3,714 | + 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 7,445 Rufiyaa (¥52,908) | ¥37,069 | + 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,055 Rufiyaa (¥14,600) | ¥10,892 | + 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 88 Rufiyaa (¥627) | ¥749 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 144 Rufiyaa (¥1,020) | ¥1,906 | - 46% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Maldives is 7% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 795 Rufiyaa (¥5,649) | ¥6,528 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 744 Rufiyaa (¥5,286) | ¥4,644 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,431 Rufiyaa (¥10,166) | ¥7,956 | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,724 Rufiyaa (¥12,249) | ¥13,013 | - 6% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in Maldives is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 170,000 Rufiyaa (¥1,208,036) | ¥2,936,380 | - 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8 Rufiyaa (¥60) | ¥143 | - 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,292 Rufiyaa (¥9,182) | ¥9,633 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Maldives is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 81 Rufiyaa (¥576) | ¥1,406 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 65 Rufiyaa (¥464) | ¥929 | - 50% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 298 Rufiyaa (¥2,119) | ¥8,740 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 58 Rufiyaa (¥413) | ¥554 | - 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 80 Rufiyaa (¥568) | ¥669 | - 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 62 Rufiyaa (¥444) | ¥525 | - 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 53 Rufiyaa (¥378) | ¥218 | + 73% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 31 Rufiyaa (¥222) | ¥251 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa (¥711) | ¥2,654 | - 73% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Maldives is 12% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 250 Rufiyaa (¥1,780) | ¥3,633 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 182 Rufiyaa (¥1,296) | ¥3,165 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Rufiyaa (¥2,132) | ¥15,347 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 440 Rufiyaa (¥3,127) | ¥6,734 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 500 Rufiyaa (¥3,553) | ¥809 | + 339% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 50 Rufiyaa (¥355) | ¥511 | - 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 248 Rufiyaa (¥1,762) | ¥509 | + 246% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 12,447 Rufiyaa (¥88,447) | ¥46,875 | + 89% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.00 Rufiyaa (¥7) | ¥26 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 875 Rufiyaa (¥6,214) | ¥8,766 | - 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 71 Rufiyaa (¥502) | ¥477 | + 5% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,457 prices entered by 212 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 15, 2020.
Exchange rate:
7.106
JPY
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 8% cheaper than in Japan
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