Bridgetown vs Malé: cost of living for digital nomads
Bridgetown, Barbados and Malé, Maldives, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Malé is about 3% cheaper than Bridgetown for a month of nomad living ($2,300 vs $2,380).
- Malé scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Bridgetown: 150 Mbps typical against 35 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Bridgetown wins 4 of the measured lines; Malé wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bridgetown or Malé?
Malé is cheaper: about $2,300/month against $2,380/month in Bridgetown, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bridgetown or Malé?
Malé scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Bridgetown.
Which has faster internet, Bridgetown or Malé?
Bridgetown has faster typical internet: 150 Mbps against 35 Mbps in Malé.
| Line | Bridgetown | Malé |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,380 | $2,300 |
| Rent | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Food | $570 | $500 |
| Transport | $60 | $80 |
| Coworking | $130 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 150 | 35 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | island | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Malé
Expensive island capital; many nomads base on cheaper local islands.
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Bridgetown September 11, 2026, Malé November 4, 2026.