Everything hinges on your housing, your mobility, and the school.
In 2026, the cost of living in Mauritius remains highly variable from one expat to another: one can live "simply" on a tight budget, or aim for premium comfort (villa, car, imported goods, international schooling) which completely changes the cost. To help you calculate accurately, this article combines official benchmarks (public tariffs, national statistics) and market indicators (price basket declared by residents) in order to build a realistic budget depending on your lifestyle.statsmauritius.govmu.org)
And if you want to quickly confirm your budget before starting, EXPAT MAURITIUS We support individuals and entrepreneurs (visas/permits, real estate, relocation, business creation) with local expertise and a free assessment.numbeo.com)
- of the area where you live (North/West more in demand), (
- type of accommodation (residence, villa, sea view), (
- of the "car vs. public transport" choice, and (
- schooling (nursery / private school / international school)
What changes in 2026: inflation, currency and "real" purchasing power
Inflation: real increases, but rather contained over 2025–early 2026
To provide context: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of Statistics Mauritius has gone from 108.2 in December 2025 à 109.1 in January 2026. (statsmauritius.govmu.org)
The IMF also indicated that inflation was returning to normal, with a projection of around 3.6% in 2025 (Average inflation over the year, IMF projection).imf.org)
Practical consequence: Even if inflation does not explode, your 2026 budget must include "sensitive" items (imported food, energy, certain private services) which move faster than the rest.
Exchange rate: a key factor if you are earning in EUR/USD
If your income is in euros or dollars, your budget in rupees depends on the exchange rate. The Bank of Mauritius publishes... Consolidated Indicative Exchange Rates (indicative averages). For example, at 28/01/2026, we see indicative levels around EUR ≈ 53–55 MUR according to the columns, and USD ≈ 45–46 MUR depending on the periods and reference sources.bom.mu)
Budget advice: keep a safety margin (e.g. 3–5%) if you depend on a monthly international transfer.
Key figures (2024–February 2026): rent, groceries, transport, energy
To avoid guesswork, here are some concrete benchmarks from public sources (rates) and price indices reported by residents (Numbeo, useful for comparison, but to be read as a guideline). indicator, (not a quote).numbeo.com)
Table – Useful price benchmarks for building your budget (WALL)
| Job | Price benchmark | Source (date/year) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent for 1 bedroom (city center) | ~ 21,578 / month (range indicated) | Numbeo (updated February 14, 2026) |
| Rent for 1 bedroom (outside the city center) | ~ 14,750 / month (range indicated) | Numbeo (updated February 14, 2026) |
| Rent for 3 bedrooms (outside the city center) | ~ 29,569 / month (range indicated) | Numbeo (updated February 14, 2026) |
| Apartment charges (electricity/water/…) | ~ 2,573 / month (range indicated) | Numbeo (updated February 14, 2026) |
| Home fiber internet | 50 Mbps: 1,200 / month; 100 Mbps: 1,500 / month | my.t (home offers) |
| Electricity (tiered pricing) | Ex. «all additional kWh»: 8.77 Rs/kWh (depending on bracket) | Central Electricity Board (CEB) |
| Water (domestic) | 0–6 m³: free; 7–10 m³: minimum 45 Rs; then 6/8/17/32 Rs/m³ depending on the bracket | Central Water Authority (CWA) |
| Gasoline (Mogas) | 58.45 Rs / litre (as of 04/11/2025) | State Trading Corporation (STC) – Retail prices |
| Diesel (Gas Oil) | 58.95 Rs / litre (as of 04/11/2025) | STC – Retail prices |
| Subway (examples of routes) | Depending on the station: e.g. Port Louis Victoria ↔ Coromandel: 11 (MECard) / 20 (SUT) | Metro Express – press release (06/18/2021) |
| International School (annual) | ~ 120,000 to 420,000 / year / child (range indicated) | Numbeo (updated February 14, 2026) |
| Regulated products (examples) | Rice ration: Rs 28 (2.5 kg); Mogas: Rs58.45/L; LPG 12 kg: 190 Rs | STC – Prices of commodities |
Related sources: Numbeo (market benchmarks, updates) February 14, 2026). (numbeo.com) CEB (electricity tariffs). (ceb.muCWA (water rates). (cwa.govmu.org) STC (fuel and product prices). (stcmu.com) Metro Express (fare schedule). (mauritiusmetroexpress.mu) my.t (internet offers). (myt.mu)
Realistic monthly budgets in 2026 (based on your lifestyle)
To directly address the search intent, here are some "ready-to-use" budget templates. They are based on monthly estimates. excluding rent published by Numbeo (useful for establishing a general order of magnitude), to which benchmark rents are added.numbeo.com)
Table – Estimated monthly budget (MUR) according to profile (excluding international tuition)
| Profile | Estimated monthly costs (excluding rent) | Reference rent | Monthly benchmark total | How to read this total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | ~ 27,295 (excluding rent) | 1 bedroom outside the center ~ 14,750 or center ~ 21,578 |
~ 42,000 to 49,000 | Base "daily life" + accommodation. Varies greatly depending on air conditioning, outings and imported products. |
| Family (4 people) | ~ 100,914 (excluding rent) | 3 bedrooms outside the city center ~ 29,569 or center ~ 39,123 |
~ 130,000 to 140,000 | A good reference point if you live in a "settled family" environment. Add international schools if applicable. |
Important : there international schooling can add a major position. As an indication, Numbeo displays a range of approximately 120,000 to 420,000 MUR/year per child, or approximately 10,000 to 35,000 MUR/month if we smooth it over 12 months (arithmetic calculation based on the annual range).numbeo.com)
How to build your "tailor-made" budget (simple and reliable method)
Step 1: Choose your living area (and accept the compromise)
In Mauritius, budget geography is very real: the North and West (beach areas, expat hubs) are often more in demand, while some areas in the center can offer better value for money. The most effective approach is to choose an area based on your daily : school, work, activities, and tolerance for travel.
Step 2: Set your "housing budget" (rent + utilities)
Housing is usually the first expense. To put it in perspective:
- Rent : Use markers (e.g., 1 bedroom / 3 bedrooms) as a starting point.numbeo.com)
- Charges: Numbeo provides an aggregated benchmark for "utilities"; you can then refine it with official rates (electricity/water).numbeo.com)
- Internet: Check your actual needs (teleworking, TV, upload). my.t fiber offers display clear tiers (e.g., 50 Mbps at 1,200 Rs/month).myt.mu)
Step 3: Transportation – car, subway, bus, taxi
Your transportation budget depends primarily on whether you choose a car or public transport. Here are some guidelines:
- Fuel : As of 04/11/2025, the price of gasoline (Mogas) is displayed at 58.45 Rs/L and diesel 58.95 Rs/L (STC). (stcmu.com)
- Subway: Fares vary by zone/station; the Metro Express document shows MECard vs. single-use ticket (SUT) prices.mauritiusmetroexpress.mu)
- Taxi: Numbeo displays useful indicators (departure, waiting time, cost per distance) to help estimate the impact if you use it frequently.numbeo.com)
Step 4: Food and Consumption – Local vs. Imported
Two simple ideas avoid surprises:
- Your "local" basket« (markets, Mauritian products) can remain contained; Numbeo displays benchmarks by product (milk, rice, eggs, chicken, vegetables).numbeo.com)
- Your "imported" shopping cart« (cheeses, wines, specific products) can quickly increase the bill. For certain regulated products, the STC also publishes benchmark prices (e.g., ration rice, flour).stcmu.com)
For a "macro" point of comparison, Statistics Mauritius indicates that in 2023 The average monthly household consumption expenditure was 41870 MUR (national average, all profiles combined), with food as the largest category (25%).statsmauritius.govmu.org)
Step 5: Health, insurance, schools – the «invisible» sectors»
These are often the positions overlooked when comparing with France, Belgium, Switzerland or Canada:
- Health/insurance: Even though public insurance exists, many expatriates prefer private insurance and/or international coverage (to be quoted).
- Schools: If you opt for international markets, the impact is direct (see annual benchmarks).numbeo.com)
- Air conditioning: Depending on your accommodation and habits, electricity can fall into different expense categories; start with the CEB tariffs and track your kWh.ceb.mu)
A closer look at the "essentials": energy, water, internet, fuel
Electricity (CEB): Why air conditioning can change your budget
THE Central Electricity Board (CEB) publishes a domestic tariff based on tiered pricing (kWh). This allows you to estimate the order of magnitude, but the final amount depends on your tier, your consumption, and the applicable billing elements.ceb.mu)
Water (CWA): a frequently low-value item… except for specific uses
There Central Water Authority indicates a domestic tariff with a free portion (0–6 m³), then a minimum charge, then tiers (6/8/17/32 Rs per m³ depending on consumption). (cwa.govmu.org)
Internet: a transparent cost, tailored to your usage
my.t home fiber offers are priced in tiers (e.g., 50 Mbps at 1,200 Rs/month, 100 Mbps at 1,500 Rs/month). It's often an easy position to lock down immediately upon installation.myt.mu)
Fuel: a useful official benchmark for car budgeting
For fuel, the STC publishes price trends and related decisions. November 4, 2025, Mogas can be found in particular 58.45 Rs/L and Gas Oil 58.95 Rs/L. (stcmu.com)
Why get support: to avoid costly mistakes (housing, school, timing)
An expatriation budget is not simply a matter of adding up expenses: it also requires mastering the timing (arrival, finding accommodation, administrative procedures), the structural choices (where to live, how to get around, which school), and the coordination of the steps (bank, insurance, services, etc.).
If you are looking for a local partner, EXPAT MAURITIUS offers comprehensive support (visas/permits, real estate, settling in, business creation), with personalized assistance. You can also consult their resources to prepare your project: Living in Mauritius: turnkey expatriation and real estate, and expatriation guides.statsmauritius.govmu.org)
FAQ – Cost of living & expatriation with EXPAT MAURITIUS
Can EXPAT MAURITIUS help me estimate my monthly budget before moving?
Yes, it's actually one of the key points before committing: transforming your project (living area, type of housing, schooling, mobility, frequency of outings) into concrete budgets. The idea isn't to give you a "magic" figure, but to build a realistic budget based on benchmarks (rent/utilities, fuel, internet, school) and your constraints. To get started, you can already compare your assumptions with quantifiable benchmarks (public rates and price indicators) and have your plan validated.numbeo.com)
What budget should I plan for in Mauritius if I want to live in the North or West (near the sea)?
Highly sought-after areas (near beaches, desirable residences, villas, etc.) primarily drive up the budget due to housing costs and, sometimes, a more "going out/restaurants" lifestyle. To get a sense of the scale, start with a benchmark rent (1 bedroom / 3 bedrooms) and then add your monthly non-rent costs (food, transport, leisure). The monthly non-rent cost indicators and benchmark rents (updated mid-February 2026) provide an initial estimate, which can then be refined based on properties actually viewed.numbeo.com)
How to integrate international schooling into an expatriation budget?
The simplest approach is to treat school as a separate budget line, as it can exceed all other "extras." A useful guideline: annual fees for international schools are displayed within a wide range (expressed per year and per child), which you can spread over 12 months to obtain an indicative monthly cost. Then, add related expenses (uniform, transport, activities), which vary depending on the school. If the school is a priority, choose the living area based on the school first.numbeo.com)
Which positions are most often underestimated by newcomers?
- the accommodation "to a good standard" (size, residence, security, proximity, equipment), (
- transportation if you end up taking a car (fuel, travel), and (
- Electricity if you use air conditioning daily. To secure your budget, base it on benchmark rents and non-rental costs, then verify your assumptions with public rates (electricity, water) and official fuel prices. (numbeo.com)
I am an entrepreneur: is the cost of living enough to decide, or should I budget for something else?
The cost of living is a starting point, but an entrepreneur must also budget for the setup phase: temporary accommodation, travel, equipment, and sometimes a higher level of internet/reliability. It's also essential to plan for a cash reserve, as the first few months can be unpredictable. In this context, the benefit of support is to coordinate the steps (setup + administrative procedures) and avoid costly delays. To structure your daily life, start with concrete benchmarks (rent, internet, fuel) and then add your "business budget."myt.mu)
And now ?
If you want to transform these markers into 2026 budget tailored to your situation (neighborhood, housing, school, mobility, career goals), you can rely on the support of EXPAT MAURITIUS Visas and permits, real estate, settling in (housing, schools, banking, insurance) and starting a business. To prepare your project today, also consult the expatriation guides and the Living in Mauritius page, then contact their team (phone, WhatsApp, email or online form) for a free assessment.numbeo.com)
