Capital city, Maldives
Cost of living in Malé
How much a month costs in Malé
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,940–3,240 (Rf30,000–50,000).
Prices in Malé
Typical 2026 ranges in MVR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MVR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Rf12,000–25,000 | $777–1,620 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Rf9,000–18,000 | $583–1,170 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Rf1,000–2,500 | $65–162 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Rf50–120 | $3.2–7.8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Rf200–450 | $13–29 |
| Cappuccino | Rf40–90 | $2.6–5.8 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Rf5–30 | $0.3–1.9 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Rf50–100 | $3.2–6.5 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | Rf600–1,500 | $39–97 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Rf250–600 | $16–39 |
Value for money: 31/100
A value score of 31/100 means Malé gives more quality of life per dollar than 30% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 72/100. It's the 1st most affordable of 3 places we cover in Maldives.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Maldives
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Malé | $1,940–3,240 | 31/100 |
| Thulusdhoo | $2,460–3,890 | 17/100 |
| Maafushi | $2,590–4,210 | 14/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Malé
Similar safety, lower cost, in South Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hampi | India | $291–467 |
| Darjeeling | India | $332–519 |
| Mysore | India | $363–571 |
| Dharamshala | India | $394–674 |
| Pondicherry | India | $415–674 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Malé?
About $971–1,420 on a lean budget, $1,940–3,240 for a comfortable month and $4,530–7,770 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Malé?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Rf12,000–25,000 ($777–1,620) a month in the center and Rf9,000–18,000 ($583–1,170) outside it.
How much does food cost in Malé?
A local meal is Rf50–120 ($3.2–7.8); a mid-range restaurant is Rf200–450 ($13–29) per person.
Is Maldives expensive?
Prices in Maldives are about 51% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Malé
Going to Malé solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Velana International Airport
- MTCC public ferries
- Maldives Immigration
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.