😐A single person spends $846 per month in Brazil vs $313 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,346 per month in Brazil vs $491 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,845 per month in Brazil vs $668 in Madagascar, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Brazil is about 170% higher than in Madagascar on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Brazil and Madagascar are more affordable than the global median – Brazil 39% lower, Madagascar 77% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.47R$33.16
$2.24MGA 9,725
188.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.65R$173
$17.49MGA 75.8K
92.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92R$40.59
$4.78MGA 20.7K
65.69%
Cappuccino
$2.07R$10.61
$1.36MGA 5,892
52.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26R$6.48
$0.81MGA 3,497
55.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74R$3.77
$0.65MGA 2,836
13.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.92R$9.86
$1.14MGA 4,931
68.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94R$15.09
$1.78MGA 7,720
65.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08R$5.52
$1.18MGA 5,108
-8.47%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74R$8.92
$0.98MGA 4,257
77.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.30R$6.69
$0.77MGA 3,339
68.83%
Eggs
$2.23R$11.42
$2.13MGA 9,249
4.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.16R$46.94
$8.84MGA 38.3K
3.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.33R$22.22
$5.25MGA 22.7K
-17.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.46R$43.35
$4.83MGA 20.9K
75.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.22R$11.37
$1.21MGA 5,250
83.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33R$6.81
$0.67MGA 2,894
98.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20R$6.16
$0.99MGA 4,307
21.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52R$7.78
$0.90MGA 3,880
68.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.19R$6.13
$0.57MGA 2,463
108.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.07R$5.47
$0.79MGA 3,425
35.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84R$4.30
$0.34MGA 1,493
147.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80R$4.09
$0.65MGA 2,807
23.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.39R$12.27
$1.68MGA 7,263
42.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.62R$39.06
$5.12MGA 22.2K
48.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36R$6.98
$0.92MGA 3,991
47.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32R$11.89
$1.65MGA 7,153
40.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.02R$5.23
$0.14MGA 603
628.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.47R$228
$19.02MGA 82.4K
133.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.30R$6.66
$3.59MGA 15.5K
-63.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.94R$4.83
$2.40MGA 10.4K
-60.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.03R$41.15
$4.76MGA 20.6K
68.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25R$6.39
$1.19MGA 5,141
5.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0KR$117.7K
$13.2KMGA 57.1M
74.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.6KR$161.8K
$24.9KMGA 107.8M
26.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.0R$415
$68.5MGA 296.6K
18.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.79R$65.6
$17.99MGA 77.9K
-28.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.82R$107
$56.1MGA 242.9K
-62.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.51R$131
$24.07MGA 104.3K
5.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.17R$134
$7.56MGA 32.7K
246.16%
Cinema Ticket
$6.99R$35.81
$6.46MGA 28.0K
8.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$337R$1,725
$26.47MGA 114.7K
1171.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,862R$45.4K
$15.5KMGA 67.1M
-42.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.1R$272
$21.11MGA 91.5K
151.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.80R$250
$27.23MGA 118.0K
79.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.6R$454
$72.2MGA 312.6K
22.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.5R$351
$49.68MGA 215.3K
37.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$377R$1,933
$308MGA 1.3M
22.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$244R$1,250
$144MGA 621.8K
69.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$724R$3,713
$722MGA 3.1M
0.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$477R$2,445
$342MGA 1.5M
39.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,846R$9,462
$699MGA 3.0M
164.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,262R$6,469
$598MGA 2.6M
111.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$524R$2,686
$131MGA 567.7K
299.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.19
19.75
-43.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Brazil: September 7, 2026
Last update for Madagascar: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $341 in Brazil vs $63.0 in Madagascar. For reference, capital cities sit at $479 in Brasilia and $333 in Antananarivo.
💰Average salary: $487 in Brazil vs $132 in Madagascar. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 441% higher in Brazil.
⭐Dining out costs 200% more in Brazil.
⭐Public transport is 1200% more expensive in Brazil.
⭐Salaries are 269% higher in Brazil, and purchasing power comes out stronger 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 198% 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 198% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $800 go in Brazil compared to 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 in 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.