🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $305 in Antsirabe versus $387 in Mahajanga.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $496 in Antsirabe versus $720 in Mahajanga.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $686 in Antsirabe versus $1,052 in Mahajanga.
🌍Living in Antsirabe costs roughly 21% less than in Mahajanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Antsirabe77% lower, Mahajanga71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.01MGA 4,347
$2.02MGA 8,677
-50.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.53MGA 62.3K
$18.10MGA 77.6K
-19.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.51MGA 19.4K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.32MGA 5,653
$0.68MGA 2,931
94.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85MGA 3,665
$0.92MGA 3,962
-7.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58MGA 2,473
$0.88MGA 3,773
-34.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.53MGA 6,559
$1.03MGA 4,398
48.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.58MGA 6,790
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.38MGA 1,634
$1.08MGA 4,636
-64.81%
White Bread(500g)
$0.46MGA 1,952
$0.59MGA 2,522
-22.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.59MGA 2,523
$0.57MGA 2,437
3.51%
Eggs
$0.84MGA 3,590
$1.91MGA 8,212
-56.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.82MGA 33.5K
$6.76MGA 29.0K
15.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.67MGA 15.7K
$5.21MGA 22.3K
-29.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.95MGA 16.9K
$3.30MGA 14.1K
19.70%
Apples(1kg)
$0.70MGA 3,011
$0.97MGA 4,173
-27.84%
Banana(1kg)
$0.28MGA 1,208
$0.59MGA 2,515
-52.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.65MGA 2,779
$0.77MGA 3,301
-15.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.32MGA 1,360
$0.51MGA 2,178
-37.25%
Potato(1kg)
$0.21MGA 897
$0.50MGA 2,152
-58.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46MGA 1,959
$0.48MGA 2,038
-4.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.09MGA 398
$0.43MGA 1,845
-79.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45MGA 1,949
$0.64MGA 2,734
-29.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$1.09MGA 4,658
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.14MGA 22.1K
$9.35MGA 40.1K
-45.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.82MGA 3,527
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.98MGA 4,204
-
🚌 Getting Around
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.09MGA 392
$0.15MGA 639
-40.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.05MGA 38.8K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.14MGA 4,878
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$37.61MGA 161.3K
$43.84MGA 188.0K
-14.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.78MGA 29.1K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.8MGA 269.3K
$22.52MGA 96.6K
178.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.34MGA 70.1K
$17.61MGA 75.5K
-7.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Antsirabe
Mahajanga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$67.9MGA 291.1K
$339MGA 1.5M
-79.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$44.23MGA 189.7K
$111MGA 475.1K
-60.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$218MGA 934.7K
$664MGA 2.8M
-67.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158MGA 676.7K
$452MGA 1.9M
-65.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Antsirabe: July 12, 2026
Last update for Mahajanga: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $67.9 in Antsirabe and $339 in Mahajanga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $15.00 in Antsirabe vs $18.00 in Mahajanga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $95.0 vs $133 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 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $458 in Antsirabe and $581 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 $339 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 in Mahajanga?
Supermarket bills run roughly 41% higher in Mahajanga. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Antsirabe or in Mahajanga?
Dining out is cheaper in Antsirabe – a meal for two runs $15.00 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 in 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 27% less than in Mahajanga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.