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 | 193 Rufiyaa ($12) | $17 | - 28% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 155 Rufiyaa ($10) | $9 | + 10% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 70 Rufiyaa ($4.53) | $5.08 | - 11% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 28 Rufiyaa ($1.83) | $0.99 | + 85% | |
12 eggs, large | 32 Rufiyaa ($2.07) | $3.31 | - 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 50 Rufiyaa ($3.23) | $4.41 | - 27% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 124 Rufiyaa ($8) | $7 | + 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 51 Rufiyaa ($3.32) | $3.92 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Rufiyaa ($1.19) | $1.95 | - 39% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 60 Rufiyaa ($3.88) | $3.35 | + 16% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 65 Rufiyaa ($4.20) | $16 | - 73% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 20 Rufiyaa ($1.29) | $2.25 | - 43% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 23 Rufiyaa ($1.49) | $2.49 | - 40% | |
Housing | - 38% | |||
Housing in Maldives is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 27,012 Rufiyaa ($1,747) | $2,528 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 18,794 Rufiyaa ($1,216) | $1,959 | - 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,399 Rufiyaa ($91) | $202 | - 55% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 16,282 Rufiyaa ($1,053) | $1,772 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 12,239 Rufiyaa ($792) | $1,345 | - 41% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,056 Rufiyaa ($68) | $138 | - 50% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 638 Rufiyaa ($41) | $57 | - 27% | |
40” flat screen tv | 7,284 Rufiyaa ($471) | $302 | + 56% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,144 Rufiyaa ($139) | $136 | + 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 142 Rufiyaa ($9) | $12 | - 24% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 73 Rufiyaa ($4.73) | $26 | - 82% | |
Clothes | + 42% | |||
Clothes in Maldives is 42% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,356 Rufiyaa ($88) | $51 | + 71% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,141 Rufiyaa ($74) | $47 | + 58% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,835 Rufiyaa ($119) | $92 | + 29% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,087 Rufiyaa ($70) | $119 | - 41% | |
Transportation | - 46% | |||
Transportation in Maldives is 46% 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 ($24,304) | $25,234 | - 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 10 Rufiyaa ($0.63) | $1.05 | - 40% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 437 Rufiyaa ($28) | $76 | - 63% | |
Personal Care | - 54% | |||
Personal Care in Maldives is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 53 Rufiyaa ($3.44) | $7 | - 54% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 198 Rufiyaa ($13) | $19 | - 33% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 448 Rufiyaa ($29) | $125 | - 77% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 68 Rufiyaa ($4.40) | $7 | - 40% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 43 Rufiyaa ($2.78) | $4.16 | - 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 66 Rufiyaa ($4.30) | $5.52 | - 22% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 30 Rufiyaa ($1.95) | $4.19 | - 53% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 22 Rufiyaa ($1.40) | $2.05 | - 32% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 100 Rufiyaa ($6) | $25 | - 74% | |
Entertainment | - 18% | |||
Entertainment in Maldives is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Maldives | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 244 Rufiyaa ($16) | $49 | - 68% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 181 Rufiyaa ($12) | $26 | - 56% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $192 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 559 Rufiyaa ($36) | $83 | - 56% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 800 Rufiyaa ($52) | $13 | + 305% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 51 Rufiyaa ($3.28) | $5.17 | - 36% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 48 Rufiyaa ($3.10) | $6 | - 50% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 10,000 Rufiyaa ($647) | $495 | + 31% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.43 Rufiyaa ($0.09) | $0.17 | - 45% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,195 Rufiyaa ($77) | $54 | + 44% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 74 Rufiyaa ($4.79) | $9 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 32% |

These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.06468
USD
/
MVR
Cost of living in Maldives is 32% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 13% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 16% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 37% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 65% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 58% cheaper than in United States