Cost of living in Maldives compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 3% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Maldives is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 254 Rufiyaa (¥2,446) | ¥1,035 | + 136% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 154 Rufiyaa (¥1,484) | ¥820 | + 81% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 28 Rufiyaa (¥265) | ¥618 | - 57% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 23 Rufiyaa (¥222) | ¥237 | - 6% | |
12 eggs, large | 25 Rufiyaa (¥238) | ¥335 | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 35 Rufiyaa (¥337) | ¥439 | - 23% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Rufiyaa (¥1,301) | ¥1,195 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 70 Rufiyaa (¥675) | ¥822 | - 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 14 Rufiyaa (¥135) | ¥509 | - 73% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa (¥578) | ¥312 | + 85% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa (¥626) | ¥1,267 | - 51% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 7 Rufiyaa (¥67) | ¥276 | - 76% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 19 Rufiyaa (¥182) | ¥293 | - 38% | |
Housing | + 6% | |||
Housing in Maldives is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,413 Rufiyaa (¥244,925) | ¥365,082 | - 33% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,330 Rufiyaa (¥195,940) | ¥197,811 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,302 Rufiyaa (¥60,741) | ¥19,132 | + 217% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Rufiyaa (¥192,759) | ¥145,654 | + 32% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa (¥117,961) | ¥106,059 | + 11% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa (¥10,182) | ¥8,349 | + 22% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa (¥6,145) | ¥4,448 | + 38% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,000 Rufiyaa (¥28,914) | ¥74,559 | - 61% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,300 Rufiyaa (¥31,805) | ¥25,414 | + 25% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 147 Rufiyaa (¥1,417) | ¥1,338 | + 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
Clothes | + 29% | |||
Clothes in Maldives is 29% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 950 Rufiyaa (¥9,156) | ¥9,315 | - 2% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 900 Rufiyaa (¥8,674) | ¥5,103 | + 70% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,250 Rufiyaa (¥12,047) | ¥10,686 | + 13% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,250 Rufiyaa (¥12,047) | ¥12,189 | - 1% | |
Transportation | - 10% | |||
Transportation in Maldives is 10% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa (¥3,621,497) | ¥3,060,780 | + 18% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 55 Rufiyaa (¥530) | ¥169 | + 213% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 300 Rufiyaa (¥2,891) | ¥8,198 | - 65% | |
Personal Care | - 44% | |||
Personal Care in Maldives is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 110 Rufiyaa (¥1,060) | ¥2,133 | - 50% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 100 Rufiyaa (¥964) | ¥2,551 | - 62% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa (¥655) | ¥1,337 | - 51% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Rufiyaa (¥301) | ¥930 | - 68% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 55 Rufiyaa (¥530) | ¥622 | - 15% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Rufiyaa (¥270) | ¥224 | + 21% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 43 Rufiyaa (¥414) | ¥188 | + 121% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa (¥964) | ¥4,604 | - 79% | |
Entertainment | - 16% | |||
Entertainment in Maldives is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Maldives | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 400 Rufiyaa (¥3,855) | ¥4,908 | - 21% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa (¥1,747) | ¥3,881 | - 55% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Rufiyaa (¥3,855) | ¥8,269 | - 53% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa (¥7,710) | ¥1,244 | + 520% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 40 Rufiyaa (¥386) | ¥547 | - 29% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa (¥463) | ¥674 | - 31% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa (¥96,380) | ¥51,659 | + 87% | |
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 (¥9,638) | ¥9,530 | + 1% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 89 Rufiyaa (¥860) | ¥613 | + 40% | |
TOTAL | - 5% |

These prices were last updated on June 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.638
JPY
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 5% cheaper than in Japan
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