{"id":661,"date":"2026-02-25T10:23:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T10:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-mauritius.com\/blog\/cout-vie-lile-maurice-2026-budget-realiste-selon-votre-style-vie\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T10:23:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T10:23:47","slug":"cost-of-living-in-mauritius-in-2026-a-realistic-budget-based-on-your-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-mauritius.com\/en\/blog\/cout-vie-lile-maurice-2026-budget-realiste-selon-votre-style-vie\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of living in Mauritius in 2026: a realistic budget based on your lifestyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everything hinges on your housing, your mobility, and the school.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong> (public tariffs, national statistics) and market indicators<\/strong> (price basket declared by residents) in order to build a realistic budget<\/strong> depending on your lifestyle.statsmauritius.govmu.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

And if you want to quickly confirm your budget before starting, EXPAT MAURITIUS<\/a> We support individuals and entrepreneurs (visas\/permits, real estate, relocation, business creation) with local expertise and a free assessment.numbeo.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\n
    \n
  1. of the area where you live (North\/West more in demand), (<\/li>\n
  2. type of accommodation (residence, villa, sea view), (<\/li>\n
  3. of the "car vs. public transport" choice, and (<\/li>\n
  4. schooling (nursery \/ private school \/ international school)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    What changes in 2026: inflation, currency and "real" purchasing power<\/h2>\n

    Inflation: real increases, but rather contained over 2025\u2013early 2026<\/h3>\n

    To provide context: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of Statistics Mauritius has gone from 108.2 in December 2025<\/strong> \u00e0 109.1 in January 2026<\/strong>. (statsmauritius.govmu.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    The IMF also indicated that inflation was returning to normal, with a projection of around 3.6% in 2025<\/strong> (Average inflation over the year, IMF projection).imf.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Practical consequence:<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

    Exchange rate: a key factor if you are earning in EUR\/USD<\/h3>\n

    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<\/em> (indicative averages). For example, at 28\/01\/2026<\/strong>, we see indicative levels around EUR \u2248 53\u201355 MUR<\/strong> according to the columns, and USD \u2248 45\u201346 MUR<\/strong> depending on the periods and reference sources.bom.mu<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Budget advice:<\/em> keep a safety margin (e.g. 3\u20135%) if you depend on a monthly international transfer.<\/p>\n

    Key figures (2024\u2013February 2026): rent, groceries, transport, energy<\/h2>\n

    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<\/em>, (not a quote).numbeo.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Table \u2013 Useful price benchmarks for building your budget (WALL)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Job<\/th>\nPrice benchmark<\/th>\nSource (date\/year)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Rent for 1 bedroom (city center)<\/td>\n~ 21,578 \/ month (range indicated)<\/td>\nNumbeo (updated February 14, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Rent for 1 bedroom (outside the city center)<\/td>\n~ 14,750 \/ month (range indicated)<\/td>\nNumbeo (updated February 14, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Rent for 3 bedrooms (outside the city center)<\/td>\n~ 29,569 \/ month (range indicated)<\/td>\nNumbeo (updated February 14, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Apartment charges (electricity\/water\/\u2026)<\/td>\n~ 2,573 \/ month (range indicated)<\/td>\nNumbeo (updated February 14, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Home fiber internet<\/td>\n50 Mbps: 1,200 \/ month; 100 Mbps: 1,500 \/ month<\/td>\nmy.t (home offers)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Electricity (tiered pricing)<\/td>\nEx. \u00aball additional kWh\u00bb: 8.77 Rs\/kWh (depending on bracket)<\/td>\nCentral Electricity Board (CEB)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Water (domestic)<\/td>\n0\u20136 m\u00b3: free; 7\u201310 m\u00b3: minimum 45 Rs; then 6\/8\/17\/32 Rs\/m\u00b3 depending on the bracket<\/td>\nCentral Water Authority (CWA)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Gasoline (Mogas)<\/td>\n58.45 Rs \/ litre (as of 04\/11\/2025)<\/td>\nState Trading Corporation (STC) \u2013 Retail prices<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Diesel (Gas Oil)<\/td>\n58.95 Rs \/ litre (as of 04\/11\/2025)<\/td>\nSTC \u2013 Retail prices<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Subway (examples of routes)<\/td>\nDepending on the station: e.g. Port Louis Victoria \u2194 Coromandel: 11 (MECard) \/ 20 (SUT)<\/td>\nMetro Express \u2013 press release (06\/18\/2021)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    International School (annual)<\/td>\n~ 120,000 to 420,000 \/ year \/ child (range indicated)<\/td>\nNumbeo (updated February 14, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Regulated products (examples)<\/td>\nRice ration: Rs 28 (2.5 kg); Mogas: Rs58.45\/L; LPG 12 kg: 190 Rs<\/td>\nSTC \u2013 Prices of commodities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Related sources: Numbeo (market benchmarks, updates) February 14, 2026<\/strong>). (numbeo.com<\/a>) CEB (electricity tariffs). (ceb.mu<\/a>CWA (water rates). (cwa.govmu.org) STC (fuel and product prices). (stcmu.com<\/a>) Metro Express (fare schedule). (mauritiusmetroexpress.mu<\/a>) my.t (internet offers). (myt.mu<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Realistic monthly budgets in 2026 (based on your lifestyle)<\/h2>\n

    To directly address the search intent, here are some "ready-to-use" budget templates. They are based on monthly estimates. excluding rent<\/em> published by Numbeo (useful for establishing a general order of magnitude), to which benchmark rents are added.numbeo.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Table \u2013 Estimated monthly budget (MUR) according to profile (excluding international tuition)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Profile<\/th>\nEstimated monthly costs (excluding rent)<\/th>\nReference rent<\/th>\nMonthly benchmark total<\/th>\nHow to read this total<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Solo<\/td>\n~ 27,295 (excluding rent)<\/td>\n1 bedroom outside the center ~ 14,750
    or center ~ 21,578<\/td>\n    		~ 42,000 to 49,000<\/td>\nBase "daily life" + accommodation. Varies greatly depending on air conditioning, outings and imported products.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Family (4 people)<\/td>\n~ 100,914 (excluding rent)<\/td>\n3 bedrooms outside the city center ~ 29,569
    or center ~ 39,123<\/td>\n    		~ 130,000 to 140,000<\/td>\nA good reference point if you live in a "settled family" environment. Add international schools if applicable.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Important :<\/strong> there international schooling<\/em> can add a major position. As an indication, Numbeo displays a range of approximately 120,000 to 420,000 MUR\/year<\/strong> per child, or approximately 10,000 to 35,000 MUR\/month<\/strong> if we smooth it over 12 months (arithmetic calculation based on the annual range).numbeo.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    How to build your "tailor-made" budget (simple and reliable method)<\/h2>\n

    Step 1: Choose your living area (and accept the compromise)<\/h3>\n

    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<\/strong> : school, work, activities, and tolerance for travel.<\/p>\n

    Step 2: Set your "housing budget" (rent + utilities)<\/h3>\n

    Housing is usually the first expense. To put it in perspective:<\/p>\n