😐A single person spends $765 per month in Brazil vs $199 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,223 per month in Brazil vs $339 in Madagascar, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,680 per month in Brazil vs $479 in Madagascar, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Brazil is about 284% 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 43% lower, Madagascar 85% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.47R$28.00
$2.71MGA 11.7K
101.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.37R$145
$17.45MGA 75.3K
62.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.46R$33.08
$4.54MGA 19.6K
42.29%
Cappuccino
$1.76R$9.03
$1.29MGA 5,548
36.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12R$5.75
$0.88MGA 3,789
27.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66R$3.37
$0.61MGA 2,633
8.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76R$8.99
$1.02MGA 4,416
72.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72R$13.91
$1.58MGA 6,807
72.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.97R$4.95
$1.10MGA 4,753
-11.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.49R$7.63
$0.91MGA 3,916
63.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18R$6.02
$0.68MGA 2,949
73.53%
Eggs
$2.11R$10.79
$2.00MGA 8,639
5.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.66R$44.32
$9.68MGA 41.7K
-10.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.83R$19.60
$4.85MGA 20.9K
-21.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.44R$38.05
$4.33MGA 18.7K
71.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.07R$10.60
$1.20MGA 5,180
72.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.32R$6.75
$0.65MGA 2,790
103.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.17R$6.00
$0.96MGA 4,124
21.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.43R$7.31
$0.87MGA 3,759
64.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17R$5.99
$0.54MGA 2,311
116.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.05R$5.40
$0.79MGA 3,414
32.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75R$3.86
$0.35MGA 1,490
114.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64R$3.29
$0.60MGA 2,588
6.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.11R$10.79
$1.76MGA 7,614
19.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.94R$40.62
$5.32MGA 23.0K
49.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22R$6.25
$0.85MGA 3,646
43.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23R$11.42
$1.28MGA 5,536
74.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86R$4.39
$0.14MGA 599
514.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.49R$207
$9.08MGA 39.2K
345.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05R$5.38
$2.27MGA 9,784
-53.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.83R$4.27
$1.97MGA 8,510
-57.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.00R$35.85
$4.42MGA 19.1K
58.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04R$5.32
$1.27MGA 5,493
-18.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8KR$111.5K
$13.2KMGA 57.0M
64.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KR$139.5K
$23.1KMGA 99.7M
17.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.3R$360
$45.93MGA 198.2K
52.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04R$71.8
$15.04MGA 64.9K
-6.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.81R$96.3
$51.9MGA 223.7K
-63.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.15R$118
$22.38MGA 96.5K
3.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.38R$115
$6.55MGA 28.2K
241.68%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18R$31.60
$6.77MGA 29.2K
-8.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$289R$1,479
$70.3MGA 303.2K
311.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,356R$37.6K
$11.9KMGA 51.2M
-38.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.26R$247
$26.85MGA 115.9K
79.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.55R$218
$27.64MGA 119.2K
53.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.8R$388
$73.0MGA 315.0K
3.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.1R$323
$50.9MGA 219.7K
23.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$339R$1,733
$298MGA 1.3M
13.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$224R$1,146
$101MGA 437.1K
121.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$639R$3,269
$534MGA 2.3M
19.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$443R$2,266
$371MGA 1.6M
19.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,835R$9,389
$683MGA 2.9M
168.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,239R$6,338
$580MGA 2.5M
113.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brazil
Madagascar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$517R$2,648
$131MGA 565.2K
294.98%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Madagascar: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $304 in Brazil vs $71.0 in Madagascar. For reference, capital cities sit at $400 in Brasilia and $387 in Antananarivo.
💰Average salary: $486 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 328% higher in Brazil.
⭐Dining out costs 286% more in Brazil.
⭐Public transport is 1850% more expensive in Brazil.
⭐Salaries are 268% 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 180% 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 180% 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.