🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $485 in Ambatolampy versus $671 in Antananarivo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $723 in Ambatolampy versus $1,036 in Antananarivo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $960 in Ambatolampy versus $1,402 in Antananarivo.
🌍Living in Ambatolampy costs roughly 28% less than in Antananarivo, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Ambatolampy65% lower, Antananarivo51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.81MGA 12.2K
$2.75MGA 11.9K
2.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.57MGA 45.8K
$20.88MGA 90.5K
-49.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.85MGA 25.4K
$5.68MGA 24.6K
2.99%
Cappuccino
$1.72MGA 7,462
$1.74MGA 7,525
-1.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84MGA 3,627
$0.84MGA 3,622
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47MGA 2,018
$0.47MGA 2,035
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.01MGA 4,382
$1.07MGA 4,641
-5.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38MGA 10.3K
$2.33MGA 10.1K
2.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84MGA 3,640
$0.99MGA 4,296
-15.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03MGA 4,469
$1.03MGA 4,463
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.75MGA 3,242
$0.78MGA 3,390
-3.85%
Eggs
$2.06MGA 8,921
$2.18MGA 9,433
-5.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.80MGA 38.1K
$8.62MGA 37.4K
2.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.54MGA 19.7K
$4.65MGA 20.1K
-2.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.95MGA 21.4K
$5.00MGA 21.7K
-1.00%
Apples(1kg)
$1.14MGA 4,939
$1.15MGA 4,989
-0.87%
Banana(1kg)
$0.56MGA 2,441
$0.56MGA 2,445
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05MGA 4,549
$1.04MGA 4,527
0.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.89MGA 3,871
$0.87MGA 3,748
2.30%
Potato(1kg)
$0.58MGA 2,493
$0.62MGA 2,670
-6.45%
Onion(1kg)
$0.96MGA 4,153
$1.03MGA 4,463
-6.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.32MGA 1,406
$0.37MGA 1,589
-13.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73MGA 3,169
$0.75MGA 3,271
-2.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.64MGA 7,124
$1.68MGA 7,282
-2.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.23MGA 22.7K
$5.38MGA 23.3K
-2.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06MGA 4,577
$1.07MGA 4,654
-0.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91MGA 8,265
$1.87MGA 8,106
2.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.12MGA 533
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.53MGA 15.3K
$3.55MGA 15.4K
-0.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.06MGA 8,925
$2.05MGA 8,861
0.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.61MGA 20.0K
$4.62MGA 20.0K
-0.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84MGA 3,635
$1.16MGA 5,013
-27.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.3KMGA 53.2M
$12.4KMGA 53.9M
-1.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KMGA 115.7M
$26.4KMGA 114.2M
1.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.5MGA 335.8K
$76.0MGA 329.2K
2.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.12MGA 74.2K
$17.50MGA 75.8K
-2.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.0MGA 251.3K
$59.0MGA 255.4K
-1.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$30.18MGA 130.7K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$7.34MGA 31.8K
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.86MGA 25.4K
$5.86MGA 25.4K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$26.15MGA 113.3K
$26.31MGA 114.0K
-0.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2KMGA 65.9M
$15.5KMGA 67.1M
-1.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.19MGA 130.8K
$30.37MGA 131.6K
-0.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.97MGA 121.2K
$28.70MGA 124.3K
-2.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.2MGA 338.9K
$78.6MGA 340.5K
-0.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.5MGA 309.7K
$73.4MGA 318.0K
-2.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$333MGA 1.4M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$158MGA 686.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$752MGA 3.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$330MGA 1.4M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$679MGA 2.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$596MGA 2.6M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ambatolampy
Antananarivo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$137MGA 595.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.75
15.75
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ambatolampy: September 7, 2026
Last update for Antananarivo: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Ambatolampy vs $21.00 in Antananarivo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $145 vs $148 per month, with Ambatolampy cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ambatolampy vs Antananarivo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ambatolampy or Antananarivo?
Ambatolampy wins on cost – living expenses run 38% lower than in Antananarivo. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ambatolampy the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ambatolampy and in Antananarivo?
You'd need roughly $727 in Ambatolampy and $1,006 in Antananarivo to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do childcare costs compare in Ambatolampy and in Antananarivo?
Childcare runs $26.15 in Ambatolampy versus $26.31 in Antananarivo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Ambatolampy and in Antananarivo?
Dining out is cheaper in Ambatolampy – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $21.00 in Antananarivo. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Ambatolampy or in Antananarivo?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Ambatolampy gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ambatolampy or Antananarivo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ambatolampy gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Antananarivo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Ambatolampy vs other spots: cost of living compared