😐A single person spends $764 per month in Brazil vs $197 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,221 per month in Brazil vs $338 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,678 per month in Brazil vs $478 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐Brazil costs about 288% more than Madagascar on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Brazil and Madagascar are more affordable than the global median – Brazil43% lower, Madagascar85% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.48R$27.72
$2.62MGA 11.0K
109.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.29R$143
$17.67MGA 74.1K
60.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.16R$31.17
$4.49MGA 18.8K
37.19%
Cappuccino
$1.79R$9.04
$1.24MGA 5,221
44.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08R$5.45
$0.94MGA 3,946
14.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70R$3.57
$0.62MGA 2,584
12.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.78R$9.00
$1.08MGA 4,520
64.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74R$13.88
$1.53MGA 6,431
79.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99R$5.02
$1.06MGA 4,437
-6.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53R$7.74
$0.91MGA 3,816
68.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.22R$6.18
$0.72MGA 3,002
69.44%
Eggs
$2.10R$10.62
$1.98MGA 8,311
6.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.72R$44.12
$10.00MGA 42.0K
-12.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.83R$19.37
$4.83MGA 20.3K
-20.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.51R$38.00
$4.20MGA 17.6K
78.81%
Apples(1kg)
$2.03R$10.28
$1.20MGA 5,029
69.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34R$6.76
$0.63MGA 2,656
112.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.14R$5.78
$1.00MGA 4,183
14.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.48R$7.47
$0.88MGA 3,695
68.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.12R$5.66
$0.53MGA 2,213
111.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09R$5.52
$0.80MGA 3,361
36.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.76R$3.85
$0.35MGA 1,451
117.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68R$3.45
$0.64MGA 2,672
6.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.11R$10.70
$1.76MGA 7,391
19.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.58R$38.36
$5.22MGA 21.9K
45.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23R$6.24
$0.90MGA 3,774
36.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22R$11.23
$1.27MGA 5,348
74.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.93R$4.70
$0.15MGA 635
520.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40R$210
$8.98MGA 37.7K
361.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09R$5.53
$2.21MGA 9,262
-50.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.84R$4.25
$2.06MGA 8,626
-59.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.40R$37.47
$4.56MGA 19.1K
62.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.08R$5.47
$1.28MGA 5,359
-15.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8KR$110.4K
$13.5KMGA 56.5M
61.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KR$137.9K
$22.9KMGA 96.3M
18.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2R$350
$46.15MGA 193.7K
49.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.63R$69.0
$14.81MGA 62.1K
-7.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.79R$95.1
$53.2MGA 223.4K
-64.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.85R$116
$22.65MGA 95.0K
0.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.76R$115
$6.37MGA 26.7K
257.30%
Cinema Ticket
$6.24R$31.58
$6.52MGA 27.3K
-4.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$285R$1,443
$72.2MGA 303.1K
294.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,497R$38.0K
$11.4KMGA 48.0M
-34.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.45R$245
$27.44MGA 115.1K
76.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.12R$218
$27.80MGA 116.7K
55.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.8R$379
$71.3MGA 299.0K
4.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$62.0R$314
$51.8MGA 217.2K
19.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$337R$1,705
$294MGA 1.2M
14.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$225R$1,141
$100MGA 421.4K
124.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$655R$3,317
$539MGA 2.3M
21.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$455R$2,301
$378MGA 1.6M
20.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,848R$9,356
$702MGA 2.9M
163.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,200R$6,077
$583MGA 2.4M
105.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512R$2,595
$132MGA 555.4K
287.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.16
17.25
-35.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Brazil: June 9, 2026
Last update for Madagascar: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $305 in Brazil vs $70.0 in Madagascar. For reference, capital cities sit at $414 in Brasilia and $388 in Antananarivo.
💰Average salary: $479 in Brazil vs $131 in Madagascar. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 336% higher in Brazil.
⭐Dining out costs 286% more in Brazil.
⭐Public transport is 1850% more expensive in Brazil.
⭐Salaries are 266% higher in Brazil.
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
Brazil vs Madagascar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Brazil and Madagascar compare in cost of living?
Madagascar is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 175% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Brazil and Madagascar?
Housing costs more in Brazil, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Brazil consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Brazil or Madagascar?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Madagascar, contributing to the overall 175% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $800 go in Brazil vs Madagascar?
$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Madagascar, but in Brazil it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Brazil and Madagascar?
Madagascar is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.