🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $294 in Antsirabe versus $377 in Mahajanga.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $471 in Antsirabe versus $709 in Mahajanga.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $648 in Antsirabe versus $1,041 in Mahajanga.
🙂Living in Antsirabe costs roughly 22% less than in Mahajanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Antsirabe78% lower, Mahajanga72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.01MGA 4,249
$1.97MGA 8,249
-48.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.27MGA 59.8K
$17.84MGA 74.8K
-20.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.33MGA 18.1K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.35MGA 5,651
$0.69MGA 2,880
95.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81MGA 3,394
$0.86MGA 3,595
-5.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53MGA 2,239
$0.87MGA 3,666
-39.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.51MGA 6,321
$1.02MGA 4,294
48.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.57MGA 6,586
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.41MGA 1,721
$1.05MGA 4,390
-60.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.42MGA 1,752
$0.60MGA 2,496
-30.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.58MGA 2,411
$0.61MGA 2,552
-4.92%
Eggs
$0.79MGA 3,304
$1.91MGA 8,023
-58.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.59MGA 31.8K
$6.52MGA 27.3K
16.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.73MGA 15.6K
$5.31MGA 22.3K
-29.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.08MGA 17.1K
$3.32MGA 13.9K
22.89%
Apples(1kg)
$0.69MGA 2,882
$0.91MGA 3,825
-24.18%
Banana(1kg)
$0.28MGA 1,179
$0.57MGA 2,404
-50.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.64MGA 2,679
$0.76MGA 3,188
-15.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.35MGA 1,449
$0.50MGA 2,100
-30.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.21MGA 879
$0.50MGA 2,092
-58.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.43MGA 1,798
$0.45MGA 1,885
-4.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.09MGA 363
$0.40MGA 1,675
-77.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43MGA 1,796
$0.58MGA 2,444
-25.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$1.13MGA 4,725
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$9.41MGA 39.5K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.79MGA 3,298
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.03MGA 4,309
-
🚌 Getting Around
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.09MGA 395
$0.13MGA 526
-30.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.07MGA 38.0K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.09MGA 4,578
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$37.91MGA 158.9K
$43.80MGA 183.6K
-13.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.62MGA 27.7K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.2MGA 260.9K
$22.07MGA 92.5K
181.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.58MGA 69.5K
$18.06MGA 75.7K
-8.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$67.9MGA 284.6K
$334MGA 1.4M
-79.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$44.67MGA 187.3K
$109MGA 457.5K
-59.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$218MGA 914.7K
$667MGA 2.8M
-67.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$155MGA 650.2K
$445MGA 1.9M
-65.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Antsirabe: May 31, 2026
Last update for Mahajanga: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $67.9 in Antsirabe and $334 in Mahajanga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Antsirabe vs $18.00 in Mahajanga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $84.0 vs $132 per month, with Antsirabe 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
Antsirabe vs Mahajanga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahajanga cheaper than Antsirabe?
Antsirabe is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $441 in Antsirabe and $566 in Mahajanga 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.
What is the rent difference between Antsirabe and Mahajanga?
Rent for a central apartment: $67.9 in Antsirabe versus $334 in Mahajanga. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Antsirabe and Mahajanga?
Supermarket bills run roughly 57% higher in Mahajanga. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Antsirabe or Mahajanga?
Dining out is cheaper in Antsirabe – a meal for two runs $14.00 versus $18.00 in Mahajanga. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Antsirabe or Mahajanga?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Antsirabe gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Antsirabe or Mahajanga?
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 safer, Antsirabe or Mahajanga?
Safety-wise, Antsirabe and Mahajanga are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Antsirabe gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Mahajanga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.