{"id":503,"date":"2025-06-01T14:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T10:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/romualdrqi.cluster011.ovh.net\/what-is-the-cost-of-living-in-mauritius\/"},"modified":"2025-06-01T14:54:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T10:54:00","slug":"what-is-the-cost-of-living-in-mauritius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/romuald-rousseaux.com\/en\/what-is-the-cost-of-living-in-mauritius\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the cost of living in Mauritius?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the first question I get asked almost every time: “Romuald, is life expensive in Mauritius?” And my answer is always the same: it entirely depends on the lifestyle you choose.<\/strong> You can live in Mauritius for much less than in France, or you can replicate the comfort of a major European city. So the real question is not “how much does it cost,” but “how do you want to live.”<\/p>\n

\"Lodge
Lodge with your feet in the water on a turquoise lagoon in Mauritius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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What you need to understand first<\/p>

In Mauritius, your budget is manageable. Local markets and seasonal products on one side, imported products and international schools on the other: the cost gap between the two is huge. Let’s look at each expense honestly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Housing: the expense that makes all the difference<\/h2>\n

Housing is by far the most variable expense. For an annual rental, a two-room apartment in the North (Grand Baie, Pereyb\u00e8re) is around \u20ac500 to \u20ac700 per month; a villa with a pool quickly rises above \u20ac1,500. If you buy, you invest in freehold ownership<\/strong>, with a notary, exactly as in France, and you pay neither capital gains tax on resale nor inheritance tax.<\/p>\n

\"Terrasse
Terrace of a luxury villa with golf view and pool in Mauritius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The advice of an expat<\/p>

Before buying, rent for a few months annually (not at tourist rates). You discover the neighborhoods, real life, and then negotiate your purchase knowledgeably. I always advise this to my clients: the property meant for you will be yours.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Eating and going out: Mauritian style or European style<\/h2>\n

At the market, fruits, vegetables, and fish are abundant and inexpensive. A gato piment<\/em> or a dholl puri\u27e7 for a few rupees, a lunch in a tabagie<\/em> for next to nothing: local cuisine is a daily pleasure that costs little. What weighs on the budget are imported<\/strong> products (cheeses, wines, European groceries) and alcohol, which are significantly more taxed. A couple cooking locally manages with around \u20ac400 to \u20ac550 in groceries per month.<\/p>\n

\"G\u00e2teaux
Gato piment, Mauritian street food<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going out, moving, spending weekends<\/h2>\n

This is the expense everyone forgets to calculate, and it’s also the one that counters the most annoying misconception: “in Mauritius, after six months, you get bored.” I’ve heard it for fifteen years and have never seen anyone verify it.<\/p>\n

The reality is that a good part of life happens outdoors and costs nothing. All beaches are public, without exception and without entrance fees. Walking in the gorges of Rivi\u00e8re Noire, swimming, fishing, watching the sun set over the sea at Rivi\u00e8re Noire, all of this is free. What you pay for are organized activities, and they remain significantly cheaper than in France.<\/p>\n

\"Kitesurfs
From May to October, the trade winds make the southwest of the island a permanent playground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Add to this what cannot be bought: the festivals of different communities, which punctuate the year and to which you are invited if you show interest, and a dense associative life. A couple who regularly goes out, does one organized activity per month, and dines out on weekends spends far less than an equivalent leisure budget in France.<\/p>\n

One last point, valid for almost everything here: always ask for the resident rate<\/strong>. Natural sites, parks, and many hotels apply a different rate for those living on the island. It won’t be offered spontaneously, you have to ask for it and present your permit.<\/p>\n

Health: high level, controlled cost<\/h2>\n

Sometimes I’m asked, “and if we get sick there?” I answer without hesitation: the private sector in Mauritius is excellent, and the island is becoming a top health destination. Clinics are modern, practitioners often trained abroad, and fees remain far lower than in Europe. Private health insurance costs from \u20ac60 to \u20ac200 per month depending on age and coverage.<\/p>\n

\"Le
The cost of health in Mauritius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Good to know<\/p>

Many medications and consultations are paid directly at reasonable rates. Good private insurance remains essential for hospitalization and unforeseen events.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Children’s schooling<\/h2>\n

For families, this is the expense to anticipate. International schools (French, English) offer an excellent level but represent \u20ac800 to \u20ac1,500 per month per child. It’s often one of the reasons that decide a family to settle: education, security, quality of life.<\/p>\n

\"Salle
Classroom: education budget in Mauritius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The budget at a glance<\/h2>\n

Here are realistic benchmarks, by profile, to help you project:<\/p>\n

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These figures are benchmarks<\/p>

These are indicative ranges for 2024, not a truth set in stone. Your actual budget depends on your neighborhood, habits, and project. The best is to discuss it together based on your situation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

“But is Mauritius expensive… or to be avoided?”<\/h2>\n

You read everything and its opposite online. The truth, mine, after fifteen years here: Mauritius is not “expensive,” it is adjustable<\/strong>. With an equal quality of life (climate, safety, lagoon, mild taxation, quality schooling), the ratio is very favorable compared to the French Riviera where I come from. What costs is wanting to live exactly like in Europe, imported products included. Adopt a bit of the island’s rhythm, and paradise becomes quite affordable.<\/p>\n

Indicative monthly budget in Mauritius (\u20ac)<\/h2>
Item (per month)<\/th>Single<\/th>Couple<\/th>Family (2 children)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Housing (rental)<\/td>\u20ac500 to \u20ac700<\/td>\u20ac700 to \u20ac1,000<\/td>\u20ac1,200 to \u20ac1,800<\/td><\/tr>
Food & groceries<\/td>\u20ac250 to \u20ac350<\/td>\u20ac400 to \u20ac550<\/td>\u20ac700 to \u20ac900<\/td><\/tr>
Health (private insurance)<\/td>\u20ac60 to \u20ac100<\/td>\u20ac120 to \u20ac200<\/td>\u20ac250 to \u20ac400<\/td><\/tr>
Transport (car)<\/td>\u20ac100 to \u20ac200<\/td>\u20ac150 to \u20ac250<\/td>\u20ac200 to \u20ac350<\/td><\/tr>
Leisure & outings<\/td>\u20ac150 to \u20ac300<\/td>\u20ac250 to \u20ac450<\/td>\u20ac300 to \u20ac600<\/td><\/tr>
International schools<\/td>not applicable<\/td>not applicable<\/td>\u20ac800 to \u20ac1,500\/child<\/td><\/tr>
Indicative total<\/td>\u2248 \u20ac1,100 to \u20ac1,650<\/td>\u2248 \u20ac1,650 to \u20ac2,450<\/td>\u2248 \u20ac3,500 to \u20ac5,500<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

Order of magnitude 2024 (North region, Grand Baie). To be refined according to your lifestyle, let's talk about it.<\/p><\/div><\/div>
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