Cost of Living in Mauritius in 2026

How to read the amounts: all prices in this article are given in MUR, with an approximate US-dollar equivalent in parentheses. For a consistent conversion, I use the indicative rate of 1 USD ≈ 47 MUR according to the Bank of Mauritius on 4 September 2026. The actual amount received when exchanging money depends on the bank, exchange office and commission.

The cost of living in Mauritius in 2026 cannot be described by one number. The island can be relatively affordable for someone living in an ordinary neighbourhood, buying local products and using buses, but very expensive for a visitor renting near the ocean, taking taxis frequently and choosing imported food.

It is more useful to calculate a specific scenario: a short trip, long-term life as a single expat, remote work or a family with children. The figures below are practical planning ranges for September 2026, not one official tariff. Recheck exchange rates and prices before travelling or moving.

For context, Statistics Mauritius reported annual inflation of 4.1% for the 12 months to June 2026. Electricity, fuel, prepared food, restaurants and some individual products contributed to the change. A budget based on old travel reports can therefore differ noticeably from current spending.

Why expenses vary so much

Your habits are not the only factor: location matters too. In Grand Baie, Péreybère, Flic en Flac, Tamarin and other popular coastal areas, long-term rent near the sea or in a complex with a pool can be much higher than a simple apartment in the centre of the island. Cheaper housing can also increase spending on a car, taxis and time on the road.

The second factor is the length of stay. Tourists pay for furnished accommodation by the day or week, often with utilities included. An expat signing a lease for several months or a year may get a lower monthly rate, but will face a deposit, agent commission, internet installation, household purchases and separate bills.

The third factor is imports. Rice, vegetables, eggs, local fish and some household goods can be reasonably affordable, while imported cheese, familiar brands, alcohol, cosmetics, baby food and electronics quickly increase the bill. An economical budget is difficult if you buy everything as you did in your previous country instead of adapting your basket to Mauritius.

Finally, distinguish one-person and family expenses. Rent, internet and electricity do not always double when a second adult arrives, while food, transport, insurance, school and medical costs often rise.

Housing: the largest budget item

For a tourist, short-term rent is usually the biggest expense. A furnished studio or small apartment in a good area near the sea may cost about 55 000–100 000 MUR ($1 170–$2 128) per month, while a quality two-bedroom apartment or villa can cost 90 000–180 000 MUR ($1 915–$3 830) and more. High season, holidays and short bookings can push the range higher.

For an expat signing a lease for several months or a year, practical ranges are usually lower but depend on the property and district. A simple studio or small apartment outside the most expensive coastal locations may cost around 20 000–35 000 MUR ($426–$745) per month. A good furnished one-bedroom apartment is roughly 30 000–55 000 MUR ($638–$1 170). Two bedrooms in a popular district often start at 45 000–70 000 MUR ($957–$1 489), while modern complexes, homes near the sea and large villas can easily exceed 80 000–120 000 MUR ($1 702–$2 553).

These are working planning ranges, not a statistical market table. Current listings may include, for example, two-bedroom apartments around 60 000 MUR ($1 277) and three-bedroom properties around 110 000 MUR ($2 340) per month. Such offers show the order of prices but do not prove an island-wide average: listings differ in district, size, furnishing, lease term and included services.

When comparing properties, ask more than “how much is the monthly rent?” Clarify:

• the deposit and its return conditions;
• agent commission and administrative or tax charges;
• whether water, electricity, internet, cleaning and pool maintenance are included;
• whether there is a separate electricity meter;
• who pays for minor repairs and appliance maintenance;
• whether the address can be officially confirmed;
• the early termination terms;
• whether there is parking, a generator, a water tank and a stable mobile signal.

For a longer stay, it is safer to arrive for a short period, view several properties and sign only afterwards. Listing photos do not show noise, humidity, road conditions, internet quality or the real distance to shops.

Food: markets, supermarkets or imports

A single adult who mainly cooks at home and buys local products can plan roughly 10 000–18 000 MUR ($213–$383) per month for groceries. A large share of imported food, ready meals, coffee, cheese, premium meat or special diets can raise the amount to 20 000–30 000 MUR ($426–$638).

For a couple, a practical home-grocery range is about 18 000–32 000 MUR ($383–$681) per month. A family of two adults and two children should plan roughly 30 000–55 000 MUR ($638–$1 170), or more with many imports, baby food and ready meals.

The government’s maximum retail price system shows that some basic goods are regulated and published by brand and category. In July 2026, for example, it listed 5 kg rice packs at roughly 240–380 MUR ($5–$8), depending on type and brand. This is a useful basic-basket reference, not a promise that every shop will charge the same amount.

In practice, split your shopping:

• look for local vegetables, fruit, eggs, fish and some meat at markets and from local sellers;
• compare staples, dairy, cleaning products and long-life goods at several supermarkets;
• buy imported brands only when necessary or during promotions;
• check delivery charges: some online shops have a minimum order and a separate island-wide delivery fee.

At the time of checking, Winners listed a minimum online order of 500 MUR ($11), with island delivery shown separately. Such conditions matter in remote districts: collecting groceries can sometimes be cheaper than regular delivery, and sometimes the opposite is true.

Cafes, street food and restaurants

The least expensive way to eat out is to choose local takeaways, markets and small cafes. A simple meal can cost about 150–350 MUR ($3–$7) if you choose local dishes rather than a tourist waterfront. In an ordinary cafe, a full lunch or dinner often costs around 350–800 MUR ($7–$17) per person.

A mid-range restaurant meal with a drink may cost 800–1 800 MUR ($17–$38) per person. Popular beachfront venues, hotels and restaurants serving imported alcohol are considerably more expensive. For a tourist eating out almost every day, food may take 25 000–50 000 MUR ($532–$1 064) per month for one person or a couple, depending on portions and drinks.

Statistics Mauritius noted increases in restaurants, takeaways and prepared food in 2026. Old advice that “you can eat in restaurants every day in Mauritius for very little” should therefore be treated carefully. Local food is still a way to control spending, but tourist districts and imported products quickly change the final bill.

Transport and cars

If you live close to work, shops and a bus stop, public transport can keep the budget under control. For one person using buses and Metro Express occasionally, plan roughly 2 000–6 000 MUR ($43–$128) per month. Frequent cross-island trips, taxis and late returns can raise this to 8 000–15 000 MUR ($170–$319).

Metro Express operates between Port Louis and Curepipe and connects with several bus hubs. The official operator says fares depend on zones and that MECard can be 5–10% cheaper than single tickets. Tap the card when entering and leaving. The operator’s page lists an adult MECard at 150 MUR ($3), including credit, but check the current value at the machine or on the website before travelling.

A car is useful for life in a coastal district, trips with children, surfing, remote beaches and larger shopping trips. But include more than the rental itself. For a longer period, a basic car may cost approximately 18 000–35 000 MUR ($383–$745) per month, while a newer or larger vehicle costs more. Add fuel, insurance, deposit, parking, washing and possible repairs.

Taxis are convenient for occasional trips but expensive as your only transport. Tourists should compare a transfer, taxis and a full-period rental. Expats should first check the route from the future home to shops, a clinic and the workplace rather than buying a car just because the map looks attractive.

Connectivity, internet and workspace

Home internet is a relatively predictable budget item. In 2026, my.t listed standalone fibre plans at roughly 1 100–1 200 MUR ($23–$26) per month for basic speed, about 1 700 MUR ($36) for 200 Mbps and about 2 200 MUR ($47) for 300 Mbps. Faster plans cost more. Prices include VAT, but installation terms, equipment and availability must be checked for the exact address.

For remote work, I would budget 1 500–3 500 MUR ($32–$74) per month for home internet and backup mobile data. If you hold video conferences, work with large files or live in an area with an unstable line, backup data and a power bank are part of the work budget, not a luxury.

A coworking space, cafes and an office desk add several thousand rupees per month. The exact amount depends on how many days and what format you need. Count transport, coffee, meeting-room rental and the need to work outside the home during power interruptions as well as the membership itself.

Utilities

Electricity depends heavily on air conditioning, the water heater, the washing machine and how often you work from home. From 1 May 2026, the Central Electricity Board published new stepped household tariffs: the first kWh cost less, while the unit price rises with higher consumption. For a small flat without constant air conditioning, plan around 1 500–4 000 MUR ($32–$85) per month; in hot weather with air conditioning, the bill can rise to 5 000–10 000 MUR ($106–$213) or more.

Water, gas, rubbish collection, grounds maintenance and internet may be included in rent or billed separately. With a long-term lease, ask to see previous bills, especially if the property has a pool, electric water heater and several air conditioners.

Healthcare, insurance and unexpected costs

Medical spending is difficult to reduce to one monthly number. A healthy adult without regular medication may need only a small amount for a pharmacy and preventive visits, but one serious incident changes the calculation quickly. For an expat or tourist, it is more sensible to treat insurance as a separate required line rather than rely on whatever remains in the budget.

For one adult, international or extended insurance may cost several thousand rupees per month and more, depending on age, coverage territory, deductible, chronic conditions, dental care and evacuation. A family with children should check hospitalisation, medication, specialist consultations and policy exclusions separately.

In addition to insurance, keep a reserve for dental care, glasses, medicines, tests, an emergency flight, replacing a phone, car repairs and temporary accommodation. I would not plan a move for one person without a reserve of at least 2–3 months of basic expenses. A family is safer with 3–6 months because relocation and medical costs scale faster.

Three example monthly budgets

These are planning models, not “correct prices”. All amounts are monthly MUR with approximate USD equivalents, excluding international flights, visa costs, a large rental deposit, furniture purchases and school fees. In each model, understand exactly what is included.

Economical scenario: about 55 000–90 000 MUR ($1 170–$1 915)

This is a one-adult budget with a simple long-term rental, home cooking, public transport and moderate leisure. It is realistic if you do not choose a first-line property, buy local food and avoid maintaining a permanent car rental. In the first months, the budget will almost always be higher because of the deposit, household items and temporary accommodation.

Comfortable scenario: about 120 000–220 000 MUR ($2 553–$4 681)

This assumes a good furnished apartment, regular cafes, taxis or a car, reliable internet, insurance and money for leisure. The upper end is reached quickly in popular coastal districts, especially for short-term rent. For a remote professional who values comfort and mobility, this is a safer reference than the minimum budget.

Family scenario: about 170 000–325 000 MUR ($3 617–$6 915)

The family model includes a two-bedroom flat or house, food for four people, a car, insurance and normal household costs. It does not include a full private-school fee, which must be calculated separately for a specific school. Nannies, activities, international flights and frequent trips to neighbouring islands are also excluded.

What to add to the moving budget

The monthly budget is only one part of the financial plan. During the first month, you may need money for:

• the deposit and first rental payment;
• an agent commission or contract-processing fee;
• a hotel or short-term accommodation before moving into a long-term home;
• airport transport and a rental car while looking for housing;
• dishes, bed linen, cleaning products and work equipment;
• internet and mobile connection;
• insurance, medical documents and medicines;
• translations, notary services and official document copies;
• a reserve for a delayed first salary or international transfer.

Remote workers should keep a separate reserve for equipment replacement and connectivity. If a laptop fails, an overseas repair trip or urgent replacement can cost more than several months of ordinary internet.

Which prices to recheck before moving

Do not copy this article’s table directly into a relocation decision without checking it again. First update rent in the chosen district and for the required term. Then check internet availability at the exact address, electricity tariffs, fuel prices, insurance, mobile data and medical-policy conditions.

It is useful to build your own grocery basket: choose 20–30 products you buy each week and compare them in online shops and ordinary supermarkets. Check meat, fish, dairy, baby food, coffee, cleaning products and imported brands separately. This list gives a more accurate figure than a universal “food budget”.

Follow inflation and regulated-price changes on the official Statistics Mauritius and Price Fixing Unit websites. Check CEB tariffs on the Central Electricity Board website and internet prices with the operator because promotions, availability and connection terms change. Use current Metro Express and local transport pages for travel planning.

If you are coming for one month

A one-month tourist trip usually costs more than an expat’s long-term monthly life. The main reason is short-term rent and the service costs included in it. For one person renting furnished accommodation for 55 000–100 000 MUR ($1 170–$2 128), cooking some meals, visiting cafes occasionally and using taxis, a total budget without flights may be about 110 000–200 000 MUR ($2 340–$4 255). For a couple with more excursions and restaurant evenings, plan roughly 160 000–280 000 MUR ($3 404–$5 957).

This estimate excludes diving, boat trips, boat hire, expensive excursions and trips to Rodrigues. If these activities are the main purpose of the trip, put them in a separate line instead of trying to cover them from an ordinary leisure budget. Also check what the short-term rental includes: cleaning, electricity, air conditioning, internet, transfers and tourist charges may be billed separately.

By comparison, a long-term budget may look lower per month, but it requires a deposit, setting up daily life yourself and taking responsibility for bills. Do not compare only rent; calculate the full cost of convenience, flexibility and included services.

Conclusion

A realistic 2026 cost of living in Mauritius starts not with one average number but with four questions: where you live, for how long, how you travel and which products you consider essential. One adult on an economical long-term scenario can plan for about 55 000–90 000 MUR ($1 170–$1 915) per month, excluding flights and the initial deposit. A comfortable budget is more often 120 000–220 000 MUR ($2 553–$4 681), while a family of four may need 170 500–325 000 MUR ($3 628–$6 915) without private school.

The main risk is underestimating housing, the car and the first costs after arrival. Before moving, build your own MUR table, add a financial cushion and recheck prices for the exact district. For choosing where to live, see this overview of Mauritius districts. For a longer stay, read about the Premium Visa and remote work.

Sources and references: Statistics Mauritius — CPI for the second quarter of 2026; Price Fixing Unit — maximum retail prices; Central Electricity Board — household tariffs from 1 May 2026; my.t — home internet plans; Metro Express — routes and fares; PropertyFinder.mu — current listings and property-market index; Winners.mu — online groceries and delivery terms.