Family budgets in Mauritius are quickly depleted.
Housing and schooling are the two items that tip the scales: Numbeo estimates Rs102,194.1 the monthly expenses of a family of four excluding rent, while a 3-room apartment averages at Rs30,347.72 outside the city center, and private schooling can add tens of thousands of rupees per month. (numbeo.com)
What affects the budget of an expatriate family?
Before setting an amount, price fluctuations must be taken into account. Statistics Mauritius indicates that the consumer price index has gone from 103.5 in December 2024 108.2 in December 2025, then at 109.6 in March 2026; in other words, a family budget in Mauritius must be reviewed regularly.statsmauritius.govmu.org)
When inflation fluctuates, the best budget is not the lowest: it is the one that remains sustainable for several months in a row.
- The accommodation It often absorbs the largest portion of the budget, especially if you're targeting an area close to schools or employment hubs. (numbeo.com)
- Schooling The cost can vary from a simple monthly fee to a very high bill if you choose a private or international school. (numbeo.com)
- Transportation It depends heavily on the number of journeys, the fuel used, and whether you use a car or local transport.govmu.org)
- Food changes rapidly depending on the proportion of imported products, meat, prepared meals, and supermarket shopping.stcmu.com)
Detailed monthly budget: item by item
1. Housing
For a family of four, rent is usually the first major expense. Numbeo projects in 2026 a 3 bedrooms at Rs30,347.72 outside the city center and Rs39,325.32 in the city center, with wider price variations depending on the neighborhood, the condition of the property, and proximity to schools. (numbeo.com)
In practice, this means that two families with the same monthly income can live very differently simply because their rent isn't the same. If you're looking for a villa, a house with a garden, or accommodation very close to a private school, the budget quickly increases. (numbeo.com)
2. Charges, internet and telephone
Monthly charges remain more reasonable than rent, but they are included in the total. Numbeo indicates approximately Rs2,659.77 for the basic services of a 915 sq ft apartment, Rs1,422.27 for fast, unlimited internet and Rs649.72 for a monthly mobile plan with calls and data. (numbeo.com)
For a family, an envelope of Rs4,000 to Rs7,000 The monthly cost for electricity, water, internet, and telephone services remains reasonable in many cases, provided you don't take out multiple subscriptions or use excessively demanding services. (numbeo.com)
3. Shopping and food
On commodities, the STC shows in May 2026 ration rice at Rs28 per 2.5 kg pack, of the white flour at Rs4.85 per ½ kilo and of the’subsidized soybean oil at Rs70.01 per litre ; In parallel, Numbeo provides broader market benchmarks, for example Rs110.70 the dozen eggs and Rs123.26 a pound of chicken fillets.
With these guidelines, a realistic grocery budget for a family of four is often around Rs20,000 to Rs35,000 per month, depending on the proportion of fresh, imported, or ready-to-eat products. This range is a working estimate based on the prices observed above.
4. Transportation
Mobility depends heavily on lifestyle. Numbeo displays a local ticket at Rs44, A monthly subscription at Rs1,750 and a gasoline price at Rs68.41 per litre in its database; for its part, the Mauritian government indicated in April 2026 a Official price of Mogas: Rs64.25 per litre and diesel to Rs71.25. (numbeo.com)
For an expatriate family, a transportation budget of Rs5,000 to Rs15,000 per month is often more realistic than a single figure, as it depends on mileage, consumption and the distance between school-home-work.
5. Schooling
Schooling changes everything. Numbeo places the Annual tuition for an international primary school at Rs203,300 per child ; If you spread this expense over 12 months, it represents approximately Rs16,942 per child And Rs33,883 for two children. (numbeo.com)
As a concrete example, Clavis publishes for non-Mauritians Rs30,400 per month for the first child in Year 1 to Year 6, then Rs27,400 for the additional child, with Rs44,000 registration fees. For two children, the monthly bill therefore amounts to Rs57,800 before extras.clavis.mu)
If you are preparing the rest of the project in parallel, the Practical guides from the site for settling in Mauritius are useful for combining budget, procedures and installation.
6. Health and insurance
For health reasons, it's best to set aside a specific budget even if you're in good health. A local guide to Mauritian clinics indicates that a A consultation with a private general practitioner often costs between Rs1,000 and Rs2,000, Statistics Mauritius has reported that clinic fees will contribute to price increases in 2025.mauritius-life.com)
For an expatriate family, the challenge isn't just occasional consultations, but also health insurance, medication, and tests. Within a monthly budget, a reserve of Rs8,000 to Rs20,000 is therefore cautious depending on family composition and level of coverage.
7. Leisure activities, clothing, and unexpected events
Everyday expenses aren't limited to essential items. Numbeo, for example, displays Rs1,530.17 for a monthly gym membership, Rs300 for a movie ticket and clothing prices that remain high for certain imported brands. (numbeo.com)
In a real family budget, keep an envelope of Rs8,000 to Rs15,000 For outings, clothes, school, small administrative expenses, and unexpected costs, it avoids throwing everything else off balance. (numbeo.com)
To better understand the site's structure and verify the publisher's legal identity, the website legal notices remain a useful read before any major commitment.
Summary table of a monthly budget for an expatriate family
The amounts below combine observed rents, published base prices in 2026, official tuition fees for a Mauritian private school, and a reasonable margin for variable items. This is a working model, not an official salary scale. (numbeo.com)
| Job | Indicative monthly budget | Practical reading |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Rs30,000 to Rs55,000 | Three-bedroom apartments or houses depending on the area, with a significant difference between the suburbs and sought-after neighborhoods. (numbeo.com) |
| Charges, internet, telephone | Rs4,000 to Rs7,000 | Electricity, water, landline internet, and two mobile phone plans for typical family use. (numbeo.com) |
| Shopping and food | Rs20,000 to Rs35,000 | Basic basket with regular purchases of fresh produce and a more or less significant share of imported goods. |
| Transportation | Rs5,000 to Rs15,000 | Fuel, subscription or a mix of car/local transport depending on family journeys. |
| Private or international schooling | Rs33,883 to Rs57,800+ | From the average international school smoothed over 12 months to the Clavis example for two non-Mauritian children. |
| Health and insurance | Rs8,000 to Rs20,000 | Private consultations, medication and basic health coverage to limit the shocks. |
| Leisure activities, clothing, unexpected events | Rs8,000 to Rs15,000 | Outings, small purchases, school clothes, and the unexpected events of the month. (numbeo.com) |
| Estimated total | Rs112,000 to Rs205,000 | A reasonable range for a family of four, depending on housing and schooling. (numbeo.com) |
In short, without private schooling, a household can remain around Rs88,382 per month in our basic simulation; with two children in Clavis, we move to Rs146,182 ; and in a more comfortable version, the budget can approach Rs190,579.
How to create your own budget without making a mistake
- Start with housing, because rent immediately impacts your monthly budget. (numbeo.com)
- Choose the school before finalizing the budget, because changing schools can add or subtract tens of thousands of rupees.
- Calculate transport costs based on your actual journeys, taking into account the official fuel price and any local subscription fees.
- Spread your annual expenses over 12 months to avoid unpleasant cash flow surprises.
- Finally, keep a reserve of 10 % to 15 %, as prices have changed again in 2025 and early 2026.
FAQ about the monthly budget of an expat family in Mauritius
What is the monthly cost of living for a family of four in Mauritius?
As a benchmark, Numbeo estimates Rs102,194.1 The monthly expenses of a family of four in Mauritius, excluding rent, in May 2026. This is useful for getting a general idea, but this figure is not a substitute for a complete budget, as housing, schooling, and healthcare can quickly drive up costs. As soon as you add a three-bedroom house and private school, the monthly budget often jumps into the six-figure range in rupees. (numbeo.com)
What is a realistic monthly budget that should be planned for an expatriate family in Mauritius?
For a family of two adults and two children, a realistic budget is often between Rs110,000 and Rs205,000 per month depending on housing and school. Our simulation gives Rs88,382 without private school, Rs146,182 with two children in Clavis, and Rs190,579 in a more comfortable scenario. This is a working estimate, not an official average, but it allows us to anticipate the large differences in living conditions on the island.
What are the most expensive items in the budget of an expatriate family in Mauritius?
The two positions that carry the most weight are almost always the accommodation And schooling. A three-room apartment can cost around Rs30,000 to Rs39,000 depending on the location, and a private or international school can add Rs33,883 to Rs57,800+ per month for two children. Then come transportation, food, and healthcare. If you manage these four areas, you've already got the bulk of the budget under control. (numbeo.com)
How to create a detailed monthly budget for an expatriation to Mauritius?
The simplest method is to start from the accommodation, then add the schooling, THE transportation, THE races, there health And finally, a buffer for unforeseen expenses. Then, you spread all annual expenses over 12 months and add a safety net, because inflation remains a real factor. Official data for 2025 and 2026 clearly shows that prices are still rising. (numbeo.com)
What is the complete monthly budget for a typical family in Mauritius, and what contingency funds should be planned for?
For a typical family, a good starting point is a total budget of Rs112,000 to Rs205,000 per month, with a margin of at least 10% for price increases, one-off school fees, healthcare, and moving expenses. The most common unexpected events aren't always dramatic, but they add up quickly: school registration, moving house, private medical expenses, or simply an increase in everyday expenses. (numbeo.com)
And now ?
If you wish to turn these guidelines into a concrete project, discover Expat Mauritius' support services in Mauritius and verify the publisher's identity if necessary via the legal notices. This will give you a clear basis for preparing your budget, your setup, and the next steps.
