Cost of living: Settle in Mauritius with proper planning

Mauritius regularly features in African cost-of-living rankings. According to the latest data from Numbeo, the world’s largest collaborative database on living conditions, Mauritius consistently ranks in the Top 5 to Top 8 most expensive countries on the continent, with a cost-of-living index fluctuating between 37 and 42 depending on the year (New York = 100). Enough to discourage prospective expats? Not so fast. When cross-referencing data from several international reports, the reality turns out to be far more encouraging than it first appears. Magellan, your expatriation partner, breaks it down for you.

What the rankings actually say

The Numbeo ranking is the most widely circulated. In 2023, Mauritius was 4th in Africa with an index of 42.2, behind Senegal (46.4), Ivory Coast (42.7), and Ethiopia (42.3). By mid-2024, the island stood 3rd behind Cameroon (37.3) and Zimbabwe (37.2) with an index of 37.1. In 2025, the picture shifted again: Ethiopia topped the ranking (43.2), followed by Botswana and Mozambique, while Mauritius dropped to around 7th place.

But Numbeo only tells part of the story. The Mercer report, the global benchmark used by HR departments to calculate expat packages, paints a radically different picture. In its latest worldwide cost-of-living ranking covering 226 cities, Port Louis ranked around 182nd, making it one of the most affordable cities in the world for an expat. For comparison, the highest-ranked African cities in Mercer’s survey are Bangui (26th), Djibouti (27th), and Luanda (30th), cities where the high cost is driven by insecurity and scarcity of consumer goods, not quality of life.

Livingcost.org, for its part, ranks Mauritius 128th out of 197 countries worldwide, with an average cost of living estimated at $803 per month. The island thus falls in the lower half of the global ranking, far from the image of an expensive destination.

Expensive in Africa but affordable globally

How can such a gap between rankings be explained? The answer largely comes down to methodology. Numbeo compares prices of everyday consumer goods against New York, without weighting for local incomes or conditions specific to expatriates. The Mercer report, on the other hand, evaluates over 200 spending categories (housing, food, transportation, leisure) from a specifically expatriate perspective, factoring in international living standards.

In other words, Mauritius is indeed more expensive than most African countries—a consequence of its island economy reliant on imports, its developed infrastructure, and its high standard of living for the region. But compared to the typical destinations of European or North American expats, it remains highly competitive.

In fact, the 2024 Mercer Quality of Living report ranked Port Louis 88th worldwide, the highest-ranked city on the entire African continent on this criterion. The island outperformed Cape Town (105th), Durban (110th), Johannesburg (115th), and every city in North Africa. This result is built on political stability, safety, quality infrastructure, access to healthcare and education, and an exceptional natural environment.

What should you actually budget for living in Mauritius?

Beyond the indices, what matters to a prospective expat is concrete numbers. And here, the various sources converge toward consistent estimates.

Housing remains the largest expense. In areas popular with expatriates, such as Grand Baie in the north, and Tamarin and Flic-en-Flac on the west coast, a two-bedroom apartment in a gated residence with a pool runs between €700 and €1,200 per month (roughly $750–$1,300). Moving away from tourist areas toward Curepipe, Rose Hill, or Quatre-Bornes brings prices down to €300–€500 ($325–$540) for similar-sized properties.

Food is where spending habits make the biggest difference. An expat couple shopping at local markets and buying Mauritian products can manage on €300–€400 ($325–$430) per month. Maintaining European or American dietary habits with imported products can easily double that bill. Numbeo ranks Mauritius first on the continent for its consumer price index (40.7), ahead of Nigeria (37.5), confirming that everyday consumer goods are relatively expensive by African standards.

For a single person living comfortably, the various sources estimate a monthly all-inclusive budget of between €900 and €1,500 ($975–$1,625). For a family of four, the range is €2,500–€4,000 ($2,700–$4,325), excluding international school fees. Overall, the cost of living is estimated to be roughly 44% lower than in France for housing and 33% lower for food, and even more favorable compared to cities like London, New York, or San Francisco.

Mauritius’ fiscal attractiveness: A factor overlooked by rankings

None of the major international rankings factor in taxation, yet it fundamentally changes the equation for an expatriate. Mauritius applies a flat income tax rate of 15%, with no capital gains tax, dividend tax, or inheritance tax. For an expat coming from Europe, the UK or the US, where combined federal, state, and local taxes can be similarly steep, the purchasing power gain is substantial and more than offsets any premium on certain imported goods.

This tax advantage, combined with a globally moderate cost of living and the best quality of life on the African continent according to Mercer, explains why Mauritius continues to attract hundreds of expatriates every year despite its position at the top of African rankings.

Key tips for budgeting your stay in Mauritius

Long-term expats in Mauritius share a few simple principles for keeping spending in check. The first is to adopt a mixed consumption approach, favoring local products alongside imports from Asia, Australia, or South Africa, which are often good quality and far cheaper than their European or American equivalents. The markets of Port Louis and Quatre-Bornes remain the best friends of any budget.

The choice of where to live is strategic. Living along the Metro Express lines, which connect Curepipe to Port Louis, can reduce transportation costs and potentially eliminate the need to buy a car, a significant expense due to high import duties and registration fees when purchased locally. Finally, the island offers a wealth of free activities, such as beaches, hiking trails, and water sports such as snorkeling, contributing to a high quality of life without adding to expenses.

A cost of living that deserves careful analysis

Relocating to or investing in Mauritius is not simply a matter of comparing indices. It requires building a coherent plan that is tax-optimized and tailored to your personal profile.

Magellan supports future residents and investors at every stage:

• Personalized project analysis: assessment of your financial, tax, and professional situation to determine the most suitable residency status.
• Tax optimization and structuring: guidance on Mauritian tax incentives, coordination with your home country’s tax framework, and legal safeguarding.
• Relocation and settlement: assistance with administrative procedures, residence permit applications, and business structuring.
• Real estate and strategic location: guidance toward areas matching your investment return or quality-of-life objectives.
• Local partner network: notaries, tax advisors, banks, international schools, and insurance providers.

The goal is not merely to reduce costs but to optimize the entire project for maximum stability, performance, and peace of mind. Contact our team of experts now to learn more.