Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Antananarivo and Toamasina

For one person, living is cheaper in Toamasina: $466 a month against $645 in Antananarivo, rent and utilities included – about $2,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Antananarivo, Madagascar
Toamasina, Madagascar
Antananarivo
🇲🇬 Madagascar
$645
/mo nomad
Toamasina
🇲🇬 Madagascar
$466
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Antananarivo and in Toamasina

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Antananarivo and in Toamasina actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $645 per month in Antananarivo vs $466 in Toamasina, rent included.

  • Antananarivo $645
  • Toamasina $466

A couple spends around $991 per month in Antananarivo vs $753 in Toamasina, rent included.

  • Antananarivo $991
  • Toamasina $753

A family of three spends $1,338 per month in Antananarivo vs $1,040 in Toamasina, rent included.

  • Antananarivo $1,338
  • Toamasina $1,040

Antananarivo costs about 39% more than Toamasina, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Antananarivo and Toamasina are more affordable than the global median – Antananarivo 53% lower, Toamasina 66% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.62 MGA 12.0K
$2.71 MGA 12.4K
-3.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.47 MGA 89.3K
$15.39 MGA 70.6K
26.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.52 MGA 25.3K
$4.35 MGA 20.0K
26.90%
Cappuccino
$1.58 MGA 7,233
$1.13 MGA 5,188
39.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 MGA 3,644
$0.57 MGA 2,620
38.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 MGA 2,063
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.01 MGA 4,642
$1.14 MGA 5,228
-11.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 MGA 9,804
$1.08 MGA 4,938
98.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.92 MGA 4,235
$1.07 MGA 4,897
-14.02%
White Bread (500g)
$0.97 MGA 4,450
$1.13 MGA 5,194
-14.16%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.74 MGA 3,381
$1.02 MGA 4,662
-27.45%
Eggs
$2.02 MGA 9,271
$1.82 MGA 8,368
10.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.07 MGA 37.0K
$12.64 MGA 58.0K
-36.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.24 MGA 19.4K
$7.87 MGA 36.1K
-46.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.70 MGA 21.6K
$6.27 MGA 28.8K
-25.04%
Apples (1kg)
$1.07 MGA 4,914
$1.52 MGA 6,974
-29.61%
Banana (1kg)
$0.57 MGA 2,634
$1.36 MGA 6,235
-58.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.99 MGA 4,561
$1.57 MGA 7,201
-36.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.79 MGA 3,625
$0.63 MGA 2,885
25.40%
Potato (1kg)
$0.59 MGA 2,691
$0.61 MGA 2,807
-3.28%
Onion (1kg)
$0.95 MGA 4,368
$0.55 MGA 2,530
72.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.32 MGA 1,455
$0.35 MGA 1,586
-8.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71 MGA 3,250
$0.46 MGA 2,107
54.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.56 MGA 7,165
$1.70 MGA 7,807
-8.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.98 MGA 22.8K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.96 MGA 4,411
$0.83 MGA 3,811
15.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 MGA 8,141
$1.11 MGA 5,099
59.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.13 MGA 611
$0.32 MGA 1,446
-59.38%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.38 MGA 15.5K
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.93 MGA 8,842
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.45 MGA 20.4K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 MGA 5,247
$1.13 MGA 5,204
0.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.7K MGA 53.7M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K MGA 115.8M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.7 MGA 333.3K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.30 MGA 74.8K
$30.75 MGA 141.0K
-46.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.6 MGA 259.6K
$66.0 MGA 302.7K
-14.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.53 MGA 130.9K
$22.32 MGA 102.4K
27.82%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 MGA 31.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 MGA 25.9K
$6.63 MGA 30.4K
-14.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$24.31 MGA 111.5K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K MGA 67.4M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.35 MGA 130.0K
$8.88 MGA 40.8K
219.26%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.86 MGA 123.2K
$6.79 MGA 31.2K
295.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.7 MGA 342.5K
$54.2 MGA 248.8K
37.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.9 MGA 306.7K
$36.55 MGA 167.7K
82.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$323 MGA 1.5M
$133 MGA 610.3K
142.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$149 MGA 682.4K
$54.8 MGA 251.2K
171.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$706 MGA 3.2M
$442 MGA 2.0M
59.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$314 MGA 1.4M
$131 MGA 602.9K
138.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$665 MGA 3.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$574 MGA 2.6M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Antananarivo
Toamasina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$130 MGA 594.9K
$134 MGA 614.1K
-3.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15.75
0
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Antananarivo: October 27, 2026

Last update for Toamasina: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Antananarivo
$149
Toamasina
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antananarivo
$146
Toamasina
–
Groceries & Markets
Antananarivo
$138
Toamasina
–
Clothing & Footwear
Antananarivo
$89
Toamasina
–
Eating Out
Antananarivo
$71
Toamasina
–
Sport & Entertainment
Antananarivo
$40
Toamasina
–
Getting Around
Antananarivo
$14 *
Toamasina
–

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $323 in Antananarivo versus $133 in Toamasina. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 3% higher in Toamasina, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Antananarivo versus $15 in Toamasina. Groceries tell a different story – $138 in Antananarivo vs $171 in Toamasina – so Antananarivo wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇲🇬 Antananarivo
🇲🇬 Toamasina
🕒 Local time
23:34 11:34 PM
23:34 11:34 PM
Same time as Antananarivo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,274,225 Capital
325,857
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MGA – Malagasy Ariary Converter

Malagasy Ariary exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 4,587 MGA (10,000 MGA = 2.18 USD). 1 EUR = 5,107 MGA (10,000 MGA = 1.96 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Antananarivo Toamasina 220 km
From you
  • Antananarivo
  • Toamasina

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Antananarivo vs Toamasina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toamasina cheaper than Antananarivo?
Yes – Antananarivo is pricier by about 39%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $967 per month in Antananarivo and $698 in Toamasina. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Toamasina, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $133 there versus $323 in Antananarivo.
How do food prices compare in Antananarivo and in Toamasina?
Interestingly, groceries are about 19% cheaper in Antananarivo – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Is eating out cheaper in Antananarivo or in Toamasina?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Antananarivo and $15 in Toamasina. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,200 enough for either Antananarivo or Toamasina?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $645 in Antananarivo and $466 in Toamasina, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is it better to live in Antananarivo or in Toamasina?
It depends on your priorities. Toamasina has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $466 in Toamasina to $645 in Antananarivo. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Antananarivo vs other spots: cost of living compared

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