Cost of living in Maldives compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 23% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Maldives is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 254 Rufiyaa ($17) | $19 | - 11% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 155 Rufiyaa ($10) | $10 | + 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 28 Rufiyaa ($1.79) | $5.78 | - 69% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 23 Rufiyaa ($1.50) | $1.08 | + 39% | |
12 eggs, large | 97 Rufiyaa ($6) | $4.94 | + 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 35 Rufiyaa ($2.28) | $4.68 | - 51% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Rufiyaa ($9) | $7 | + 28% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 70 Rufiyaa ($4.56) | $4.67 | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 14 Rufiyaa ($0.91) | $2.51 | - 64% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa ($3.91) | $3.10 | + 26% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa ($4.23) | $16 | - 73% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 33 Rufiyaa ($2.16) | $2.77 | - 22% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 19 Rufiyaa ($1.23) | $2.99 | - 59% | |
Housing | - 34% | |||
Housing in Maldives is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 25,413 Rufiyaa ($1,656) | $2,830 | - 42% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 20,330 Rufiyaa ($1,324) | $2,146 | - 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 6,302 Rufiyaa ($411) | $222 | + 85% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,282 Rufiyaa ($1,061) | $1,886 | - 44% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa ($797) | $1,448 | - 45% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa ($69) | $146 | - 53% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa ($42) | $64 | - 35% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,000 Rufiyaa ($195) | $295 | - 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,300 Rufiyaa ($215) | $134 | + 61% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 147 Rufiyaa ($10) | $14 | - 29% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $31 | - | |
Clothes | + 14% | |||
Clothes in Maldives is 14% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 950 Rufiyaa ($62) | $54 | + 15% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 900 Rufiyaa ($59) | $45 | + 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,250 Rufiyaa ($81) | $93 | - 13% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,250 Rufiyaa ($81) | $119 | - 31% | |
Transportation | - 32% | |||
Transportation in Maldives is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 375,753 Rufiyaa ($24,480) | $27,977 | - 12% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 55 Rufiyaa ($3.58) | $1.05 | + 242% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 300 Rufiyaa ($20) | $79 | - 75% | |
Personal Care | - 45% | |||
Personal Care in Maldives is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 110 Rufiyaa ($7) | $8 | - 13% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 100 Rufiyaa ($7) | $21 | - 70% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $140 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa ($4.43) | $8 | - 48% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 Rufiyaa ($2.04) | $4.80 | - 58% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 55 Rufiyaa ($3.58) | $6 | - 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Rufiyaa ($1.83) | $4.72 | - 61% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 43 Rufiyaa ($2.80) | $2.25 | + 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa ($7) | $27 | - 76% | |
Entertainment | - 27% | |||
Entertainment in Maldives is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 400 Rufiyaa ($26) | $55 | - 53% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa ($12) | $28 | - 57% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $203 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Rufiyaa ($26) | $89 | - 71% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa ($52) | $14 | + 274% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 40 Rufiyaa ($2.61) | $5.19 | - 50% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa ($3.13) | $6 | - 50% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa ($651) | $556 | + 17% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.50 Rufiyaa ($0.10) | $0.21 | - 53% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,000 Rufiyaa ($65) | $54 | + 20% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 104 Rufiyaa ($7) | $10 | - 32% | |
TOTAL | - 29% |

These prices were last updated on June 06, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.06515
USD
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 29% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 22% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 6% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Angola is 46% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 11% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 45% cheaper than in United States