How Maldives compares across key indices
Cost of Living
61 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
85/100
Healthcare
73/100
Quality of Life
155/200
How far your money goes in Maldives
Cost of Living
61
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
46
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
61
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
65
100 = NYC dining
How safe residents feel in Maldives - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
85/100
Crime Index
25/100
Lower is better
0 point drop from day to night
Maldives has 1 city with Freedom Abroad estimates. Male has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $1,426. Male leads on safety, scoring 85/100. Male ranks highest for quality of life at 157/200.
Male
$1,426/mo
Male
85/100
Male
157/200
Male
76/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $1,426 | 85/100 | 157/200 | 76/100 | 22 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Maldives
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Maldives
Pollution Index
24/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
12.0ug/m3
Good
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Common questions about living in Maldives, answered with data
Maldives has a cost of living index of 61 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,426 in Male.
Maldives has a safety index of 85/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Male scores highest on safety at 85/100.
Male ranks highest for quality of life in Maldives, scoring 157/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,426/mo for a single person.
Maldives scores 73/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Yes. Maldives's cost of living is roughly 39% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 54% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Maldives has a pollution index of 24/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Your pre-departure checklist for Maldives
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Cost of Living
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Cost of living, safety, school, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates or verified public records modeled from open sources. Data sources
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