Cost of Living in Mauritius for Students, Expats & Families in 2026

The cost of living in Mauritius is around 114.2% higher than in India, driven largely by high import dependence and comparatively steeper rental prices. A family of four spends MUR 101,000–102,000 (INR 2.02L–2.04L) per month on essentials, while a couple generally manages on MUR 45,000–60,000 (INR 90K–1.20L) depending on lifestyle. Despite these costs, Mauritius still remains more affordable than U.S. and several Western countries. 

Below is a quick snapshot of Mauritius’s major living costs: 

Category	Approximate Cost Range (MUR / INR)
Accommodation	MUR 17,000–30,000 (INR 34,000–60,000)
Food & Groceries (Monthly)	MUR 8,000–15,000 (INR 16,000–30,000)
Transport (Monthly)	MUR 1,700–2,600 (INR 3,400–5,200)
Utilities (Basic Monthly Estimate)	MUR 1,500–5,000 (INR 3,000–10,000)
Leisure & Miscellaneous	MUR 3,000–8,000 (INR 6,000–16,000)

Cost of Living in Mauritius by Profile 

The cost of living in Mauritius varies depending on lifestyle, household size, and spending habits. 

Here is a clear breakdown:  

Profile	Monthly Cost (MUR / INR)
Single Person	MUR 27,500–28,000 (INR 55,000–56,000)
Working Professional	MUR 32,000–40,000 (INR 64,000–80,000)
Family of Four	MUR 101,000–102,000 (INR 202,000–204,000)
International Student	MUR 25,000–30,000 (INR 50,000–60,000)

In the sections ahead, we will discuss in detail the accommodation, food, healthcare, education, and transportation costs.   

Note: 

• Working professionals usually spend more due to commuting, occasional dining out, and higher discretionary spending. 
• Families face higher budgets due to groceries, utilities, and schooling costs. 
• Students manage lower monthly expenses through shared housing and lower transport/dining costs. 

Cost of Living in Major Mauritius Cities 

The cost of living in Mauritius per month varies slightly across major cities, primarily due to differences in rent, transportation, and access to services.  

Below is an approximate monthly expense range across key Mauritian cities, combining accommodation, groceries, utilities, and transport:  

City	Monthly Expense Range (MUR / INR)
Port Louis	MUR 45,000–55,000 (INR 90,000–1.10L)
Curepipe	MUR 38,000–48,000 (INR 76,000–96,000)
Quatre Bornes	MUR 40,000–50,000 (INR 80,000–1.00L)
Beau Bassin–Rose Hill	MUR 38,000–46,000 (INR 76,000–92,000)
Vacoas–Phoenix	MUR 37,000–45,000 (INR 74,000–90,000)

Port Louis remains the most expensive among major cities, largely due to higher rent and greater commercial activity, while Vacoas–Phoenix and Curepipe offer more affordable living options for students and working professionals. 

Accommodation Costs in Mauritius 

Accommodation is one of the biggest contributors to the cost of living in Mauritius per month, with prices varying by city and proximity to commercial hubs. Monthly rent for a 1BHK generally ranges between MUR 17,000–30,000 (INR 34,000–60,000) depending on whether you choose the city centre or a suburban area, with Port Louis generally being the most expensive. 

Below is a breakdown of typical 1BHK rental prices in Mauritius: 

City / Area Type	1BHK (City Centre)	1BHK (Outside City Centre)
Port Louis	MUR 25,000–30,000 (INR 50,000–60,000)	MUR 17,000–22,000 (INR 34,000–44,000)
Curepipe	MUR 20,000–25,000 (INR 40,000–50,000)	MUR 15,000–18,000 (INR 30,000–36,000)
Quatre Bornes	MUR 22,000–27,000 (INR 44,000–54,000)	MUR 16,000–20,000 (INR 32,000–40,000)
Beau Bassin–Rose Hill	MUR 18,000–23,000 (INR 36,000–46,000)	MUR 14,000–17,000 (INR 28,000–34,000)
Vacoas–Phoenix	MUR 17,000–22,000 (INR 34,000–44,000)	MUR 13,000–16,000 (INR 26,000–32,000)

Monthly Food & Grocery Expenses in Mauritius 

Food and grocery expenses form a predictable portion of the cost of living in Mauritius, with prices influenced by dietary habits and the choice between home‑cooked meals and dining out.  

On average, a resident spends around MUR 8,000–15,000 (INR 16,000–30,000) monthly on groceries, making this one of the moderate cost categories in the country.  

Below is a breakdown of common grocery and dining‑out costs across Mauritius: 

Monthly Grocery Budget: MUR 8,000–15,000 (INR 16,000–30,000)

Eating Out: 

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: MUR 150–600 (INR 300–1,200) 
• Meal for two at a mid‑range restaurant: MUR 1,200–4,000 (INR 2,400–8,000) 
• Fast‑food combo meal: MUR 250–350 (INR 500–700) 
• Cappuccino: MUR 50–250 (INR 100–500)

Common Grocery Items: 

• Milk (1L): MUR 50–100 (INR 100–200) 
• Bread (1 loaf): MUR 10–55 (INR 20–110) 
• Eggs (12): MUR 60–140 (INR 120–280) 
• Chicken fillets (1 lb): MUR 45–180 (INR 90–360) 
• Tomatoes (1 lb): MUR 23–100 (INR 46–200) 
• Apples (1 lb): MUR 27–70 (INR 54–140) 

Note: Grocery prices in Mauritius remain relatively consistent across cities, though imported items and dining out in tourist areas like Port Louis can be slightly more expensive. 

Transportation Costs in Mauritius 

Public transportation in Mauritius is affordable and widely used by daily commuters, students, and working professionals.  

Monthly transport spending usually falls between MUR 1,700–2,600 (INR 3,400–5,200), depending on the frequency of travel and whether buses or occasional taxis are used.  

Below is a breakdown of common transportation expenses across Mauritius: 

Transport Type	Cost (MUR / INR)
One‑Way Public Transport Ticket	MUR 35–50 (INR 70–100)
Monthly Public Transport Pass	MUR 1,000–2,600 (INR 2,000–5,200)
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff)	MUR 100–300 (INR 200–600)
Taxi (1 Mile)	MUR 100–320 (INR 200–640)
Taxi (1 Hour Waiting)	MUR 300–1,000 (INR 600–2,000)
Gasoline (1 Liter)	MUR 61–75 (INR 120–150)

Note: Monthly public transport passes offer the best value for regular commuters and students, while taxis are typically reserved for occasional travel due to higher per‑mile costs. 

Healthcare & Insurance Costs in Mauritius 

Monthly healthcare spending in Mauritius remains relatively affordable, with most residents relying on public clinics and pharmacies for routine care.  

Medical and consultation expenses range between MUR 1,000–3,000 (INR 2,000–6,000) per month, depending on the frequency of doctor visits, medication needs, and whether private services are used.  

These costs form a modest but predictable component of the overall cost of living in Mauritius.  

Below is a breakdown of common healthcare expenses across Mauritius: 

Healthcare Service	Cost (MUR / INR)
General Doctor Consultation	MUR 300–1,000 (INR 600–2,000)
Cold Medicine (1 week)	MUR 150–350 (INR 300–700)
Antibiotics (Prescription)	MUR 200–500 (INR 400–1,000)
Specialist Visit (Private)	MUR 800–1,500 (INR 1,600–3,000)
Basic Utilities for Healthcare (admin/processing)	MUR 1,500–5,000 (INR 3,000–10,000)

Note: International students and expats often opt for temporary private insurance during their initial months in Mauritius, while locals primarily rely on government-funded healthcare and inexpensive pharmacy purchases. 

Leisure & Miscellaneous Costs in Mauritius 

Leisure and personal spending in Mauritius varies across cities and lifestyle choices, with prices generally moderate compared to many island nations.  

Monthly entertainment and miscellaneous expenses generally range between MUR 3,000–8,000 (INR 6,000–16,000).  

These expenses make up a smaller but steady part of the overall cost of living in Mauritius.  

Below is a breakdown of common leisure and miscellaneous costs across the country: 

Activity / Item	Cost (MUR / INR)
Fitness Club Membership (Monthly)	MUR 1,500–3,000 (INR 3,000–6,000)
Cinema Ticket	MUR 300–450 (INR 600–900)
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend)	MUR 300–700 (INR 600–1,400)
Basic Toiletries (Monthly Estimate)	MUR 500–1,200 (INR 1,000–2,400)
Jeans (Mid‑Range Brand)	MUR 1,200–2,500 (INR 2,400–5,000)
Running Shoes (Branded)	MUR 2,000–4,000 (INR 4,000–8,000)

Leisure costs in Mauritius remain affordable for most residents, especially outside tourist‑heavy areas, where fitness, entertainment, and personal‑care shopping tend to be moderately priced. 

Education Costs for International Students in Mauritius 

Mauritius offers a variety of academic programs at public and private institutions, with tuition fees depending on the discipline and institution type.  

Annual tuition usually ranges between MUR 50,000–300,000 (INR 1.00L–6.00L), with technical and professional programs costing more than general degrees.  

These expenses form an essential part of the cost of living in Mauritius for a student, especially when combined with accommodation and transport.  

Below is a program‑wise tuition fees breakdown:  

Program Type	Annual Tuition Range (MUR / INR)
Business & Management	MUR 60,000–120,000 (INR 1.20L–2.40L)
Engineering & Technology	MUR 80,000–150,000 (INR 1.60L–3.00L)
IT & Computer Science	MUR 70,000–140,000 (INR 1.40L–2.80L)
Hospitality & Tourism	MUR 55,000–130,000 (INR 1.10L–2.60L)
Health Sciences (Non‑clinical)	MUR 75,000–150,000 (INR 1.50L–3.00L)
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences	MUR 50,000–100,000 (INR 1.00L–2.00L)
Private / Professional Programs	MUR 150,000–300,000 (INR 3.00L–6.00L)

Note: 

• Public institutions typically offer lower tuition, while private and specialized programs cost more. 
• Students should budget an additional MUR 10,000–25,000 (INR 20,000–50,000) annually for textbooks, lab fees, and administrative charges. 
• Hospitality, engineering, IT, and health programs tend to sit at the higher end of the fee spectrum due to lab and industry training components. 

Read More: Best Universities in Mauritius 

Cost of Living in Mauritius vs India 

The cost of living in Mauritius compared to India shows a clear gap across everyday categories: overall costs (ex‑rent) are ~106.8% higher in Mauritius, including rent ~116.6% higher.  

Restaurant prices are ~114.3% higher, groceries ~91.9% higher, and rent ~171.8% higher in Mauritius, while local purchasing power is ~28.9% lower.  

Below is a direct comparison of essential day‑to‑day expenses:  

Category	Mauritius Cost (MUR / INR)	India Cost
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	MUR 250–350 (INR 500–700)	INR 180–220
Monthly public transport pass	MUR 1,500–2,000 (INR 3,000–4,000)	INR 700–900
1BHK rent (city centre)	MUR 20,000–23,000 (INR 40,000–46,000)	INR 13,000–15,000
Basic utilities (monthly)	MUR 2,300–2,800 (INR 4,600–5,600)	INR 3,300–3,800
Gasoline (1 litre)	MUR 65–75 (INR 130–150)	INR 95–110
Milk (1L)	MUR 60–70 (INR 120–140)	INR 55–65
Eggs (12)	MUR 100–120 (INR 200–240)	INR 75–95
Bread (1 loaf)	MUR 25–35 (INR 50–70)	INR 35–45

Hence, the cost of living in Mauritius vs India is notably higher across food, transport, rent, and groceries. 

Budgeting Tips to Reduce Living Costs in Mauritius 

Managing expenses wisely can help students, expats, and families balance the cost of living in Mauritius, especially in areas where rent, groceries, and transport tend to be higher than India. 

Here are the most practical ways to save on the cost of living in Mauritius:  

How to Save on Rent in Mauritius? 

• Choose shared apartments or student housing to cut accommodation costs. 
• Look for housing outside Port Louis where rent is noticeably lower. 
• Compare rental listings across suburbs like Vacoas–Phoenix or Curepipe for better deals. 
• Consider long‑term leases, which often come with reduced monthly rent. 

How to Save on Food in Mauritius? 

• Shop at local markets instead of supermarkets to get better prices on fruits, vegetables, and staples. 
• Prefer home‑cooked meals since restaurant prices are significantly higher than India. 
• Buy groceries in bulk, especially non‑perishable items. 
• Avoid imported snacks and packaged foods as they greatly increase monthly grocery budgets. 

How to Save on Transport in Mauritius? 

• Use monthly public transport passes to reduce daily commuting costs. 
• Choose buses over taxis whenever possible, as taxi fares rise quickly. 
• Walk or cycle short distance, Mauritian towns are compact and pedestrian‑friendly. 
• Look for carpool options if you commute regularly. 

Useful Budgeting Apps for Daily Expenses 

• Splitwise – Ideal for splitting rent and bills among roommates. 
• XE Currency – Helps students track MUR to INR conversions easily. 
• Google Keep / Notion – Good for daily budgeting and saving receipts. 
• Too Good To Go (if available) – For discounted food from local bakeries and cafés. 

Conclusion 

Mauritius offers a relaxed island lifestyle, stable public services, and a multicultural environment, but managing the cost of living in Mauritius requires thoughtful monthly planning. A single person spends around MUR 27,500–28,000 (INR 55,000–56,000) per month excluding rent, while families face significantly higher budgets due to groceries, utilities, schooling, and transportation expenses.  

Understanding these variations helps students, expats, and professionals make informed financial decisions and maintain a comfortable lifestyle when relocating to Mauritius. 

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