Skyline of Male
Cost of Living: 100 250,000

Male, Maldives

Male is a major city in Maldives with a population of 250,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Male is a city in Male with a population of 250,000. Male is a major city in Maldives with a population of 250,000. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 8a growing zone supports Warm — citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 270 sunny days a year. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Maldives Avg (100)

Housing Index 120

Above Average

Median Income Rf 180,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Male vs Maldives Average

Cost of Living
Male: 100
Maldives Avg: 100
Housing Index
Male: 120
Maldives Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Rf 180,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 250,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 270/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 78°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 8a

Housing

  • Median Home: Rf3,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: Rf8000/mo

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Cost of Living

Male's cost of living index is 100 (Maldives average = 100).

CategoryMaleNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing120100+20.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceRf3,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)Rf8000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Rf10,000/mo
Price per Sq FtRf2,000

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

Rf
%
$90,000 down
%
%
Rf

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Male:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityRf500
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)Rf102Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterRf200Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)Rf400Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesRf1202Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Male scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 100
Rent
— Rf8000
Sunny Days
— 270
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 88°F / 78°F
Safety
— 1.0 homicides/100k
Population
— 250,000
Internet Speed
— 40 Mbps

Climate

Male has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January98°F78°F2.5"
April73°F93°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F96°F2.2"
USDA Zone 8a

Warm — citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers

Natural Hazards

Male faces the following natural hazards:

Cyclone High Risk

Significant cyclone risk.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Low-lying archipelago vulnerable to tsunamis.

Flood Moderate Risk

Low-lying atoll nation vulnerable to coastal flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year January to December
Term System Semester — 1st (Jan-Jun), 2nd (Jul-Dec)
Summer Break June to July (4 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (5 weeks)
Spring Break Ramadan break (2-3 weeks)

Year-end break is the longest. Friday and Saturday are the weekend.

Demographics

The population of Male is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Maldivian (Dhivehi)
100.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
40.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Muslim
100.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: National Bureau of Statistics (2014)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Male, Maldives?

The cost of living index in Male is 100, which is Lower the Maldives national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Male?

The median home price in Male is Rf3,000,000. The housing index is 120.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Male is approximately Rf8000/mo.

Does Male, Male have income tax?

Male is in Male, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Male?

Male enjoys approximately 270 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 78°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.