Your all-in-one cost of living guide in Mauritius for South Africans

When you think of Mauritius the first thing that pops up in your head is vacation. The beautiful beaches and clear blue skies make this island feel like paradise. But Mauritius has much more to offer than just a good holiday. Situated between Africa, India, and the Middle East, the island has attracted migrants from all over, each of whom bring their diverse cultures with them. Approximately 2.3% of the population in Mauritius is foreign born and the country has something for everyone⁵. The freedom citizens enjoy, world-class schooling, and great healthcare system make it an attractive option for South Africans looking to move.

This guide helps you uncover all that entails moving to Mauritius, be it renting and transport costs or understanding how their health system works. Wise helps you send money at the mid-market rate to South Africa¹.

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How expensive is Mauritius in comparison to South Africa?

The price difference between major cities in Mauritius and South Africa is not starkly different, so a move will not burn a hole in your pocket. Consumer prices in South Africa are just 18.1% lower than Mauritius⁶. Port Louis is the country’s capital and most expensive city has a flourishing industry and plenty of job opportunities available for South Africans looking to move.

The currency in Mauritius

The Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is the official currency of the country. It is weaker than the Rand (ZAR), you can track the latest exchange rate using our free online converter.

A very tricky aspect of navigating foreign transfers is the exchange rate. Many banks and foreign exchange services give you the impression that they offer the best rate. However, if this rate varies too much between different organizations, and there’s loads of fine print, it means hidden costs. So, how do you protect yourself from this?

Get the mid-market rate for international money transfers to South Africa with Wise

As a bank alternative, Wise can help South Africans save money¹ when making international payments to South Africa.

The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them.

While some banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.

Wise uses the mid-market rate for international payments and only applies a small transparent fee to make an international payment¹.

This means that with Wise, South African expats could save money¹ when making overseas transactions.

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Cost of living in Mauritius vs. South Africa

Port Louis, Mauritius’s capital city, ranks 187^th on Mercer’s list⁷. The cost of living in Mauritius varies from city to city and you can save a decent amount based on your choice of location. Let’s break down significant costs like rent, transportation, groceries, and healthcare, as well as take a look at average salaries to help you understand the average monthly cost of living in Mauritius in different cities.

Rental costs in Mauritius

Rent prices in Mauritius are approximately 15.8% higher than South Africa⁶. The rent has risen over the past decade and like most other cities, living in the city centre will cost you more than living on the outskirts.

The following table breaks down rents in major cities in Mauritius.

Rental for	Average monthly rent in Port Louis
1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)	23,500.00 MUR (10,059.01 R)
1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)	15,500.00 MUR (6,634.67 R)
3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)	43,333.33 MUR (18,548.53 R)
3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)	36,666.67 MUR (15,694.91 R)

Rental for	Average monthly rent in Curepipe
1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)	18,333.33 MUR (7,847.46 R)
1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)	12,500.00 MUR (5,350.54 R)
3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)	31,666.67 MUR (13,554.70 R)
3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)	29,000.00 MUR (12,413.25 R)

Rental for	Average monthly rent in Quatre Bornes
1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)	16,000.00 MUR (6,848.69 R)
1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)	9,833.33 MUR (4,209.09 R)
3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)	29,500.00 MUR (12,627.27 R)
3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)	18,333.33 MUR (7,847.46 R)

Cost of groceries in Mauritius

Mauritius has several grocery chains like Super U, Intermart Hyper, Jumbo, and many more from where you can buy all your everyday supplies. The cost of items varies between cities, with groceries in Port Louis being more expensive than the others.

Basic groceries	Average cost in Port Louis
Bread	31.25 MUR (13.38 R)
Milk	67.50 MUR (28.89 R)
Eggs	92.33 MUR (39.52 R)
Cheese	540.00 MUR (231.14 R)
Chicken fillets (1kg)	303.33 MUR (129.84 R)
Bottle of wine (mid-range)	500.00 MUR (214.02 R)

Basic groceries	Average cost in Curepipe
Bread	18.33 MUR (7.85 R)
Milk	51.67 MUR (22.12 R)
Eggs	95.65 MUR (40.94 R)
Cheese	346.00 MUR (148.10 R)
Chicken fillets (1kg)	302.67 MUR (129.55 R)
Bottle of wine (mid-range)	425.00 MUR (181.92 R)

Basic groceries	Average cost in Quatre Bornes
Bread	44.67 MUR (19.12 R)
Milk	54.75 MUR (23.44 R)
Eggs	112.67 MUR (48.23 R)
Cheese	140.00 MUR (59.93 R)
Chicken fillets (1kg)	155.00 MUR (66.35 R)
Bottle of wine (mid-range)	375.00 MUR (160.52 R)

Transport costs in Mauritius

There island has no train system, but they have a very good bus system that helps you get around easily. You can also use cabs or hire a car to get around and explore all the country has to offer.

Ticket type	Cost
1-way ticket in Port Louis	38.00 Rs (16.27 R)
Monthly transport pass in Port Louis	1,000.00 Rs (428.04 R)
1-way ticket in Curepipe	40.00 Rs (17.12 R)
Monthly transport pass in Curepipe	752.17 Rs (321.96 R)
1-way ticket in Quatre Bornes	34.00 Rs (14.55 R)
Monthly transport pass in Quatre Bornes	Not Known

Study costs in Mauritius

Each year around 10,000 students all over the world come to study various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Comprising colleges, universities and other technical institutions, the Mauritian higher education system is managed by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). There are many private and public universities, including domestic institutions and international campuses like Middlesex University. Whilst not earning a large amount of international recognition, institutions in Mauritius offer high quality education to both domestic and international students.

Universities in Mauritius provide free basic health coverage and free transportation for all its students and the country is one of the safest places to study and live in the world.

The expense of education in Mauritius is affordable; but the cost depends upon the choice of program or college you’ve selected. You can find more than 700 courses available in Mauritius. The fee of tuition costs for different programs can range between 1500 to 15500 USD per annum on an average.

What is the average salary in Mauritius?

The Mauritian economy has shown massive growth; however, salaries are still much lower than Western nations. The average income in the country is approximately MUR 400,000 annually. The tables below list salaries of the most popular job occupations in Mauritius.

Designation	Average salary in Mauritius
Finance Manager	MUR 889,044
Compliance Officer	MUR 486,961
Software Engineer	MUR 358,683
Graphic Designer	MUR 256,803
Accountant	MUR 416,697
Operations Manager	MUR 729,212
Account Clerk	MUR 152,250

What about healthcare costs in Mauritius?

Being a small island nation Mauritius has only five government-funded hospitals available. While residents and expatriates have access to public health services, non-citizens may encounter bureaucratic hurdles and experience extended waiting times.

Fortunately, Mauritius boasts several top-notch private medical clinics and six private hospitals, making it an emerging hub for medical tourism. It is important to note that these private facilities often come with a much higher cost. Given the potential financial implications, expatriates relocating to Mauritius may find it prudent to explore the option of obtaining international health insurance.

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In a nutshell, Mauritius isn't just a dreamy vacation spot, it's a real-life option for a fresh start. We try helping you understand the practical side of moving, comparing costs to South Africa through this article. And not so surprisingly, living expenses like groceries and rent aren't worlds apart. We talk about everything – from living in Port Louis to what it means to be an international student here. The country isn't just a pretty postcard, it's an open invitation to explore life beyond the beach.

Navigating the cost of living can pose a bit of a challenge but Wise helps with international money transfers to South Africa³.

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Whether you're looking for further studies, career moves, or just a change of pace, Mauritius has more to offer than meets the eye – a vibrant life waiting to be discovered.

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Sources:

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5. Immigrants in Mauritius
6. Cost of Living South Africa vs Mauritius
7. Mercer Cost of Living Index
8. Cost of Living Port Louis
9. Cost of Living Curepipe
10. Cost of Living Quatre Bornes
11. Studying in Mauritius
12. Salaries in Mauritius