Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and Madagascar Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and Madagascar

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,316 per month in Canada vs $195 in Madagascar, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,376 per month in Canada vs $336 in Madagascar, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,436 per month in Canada vs $476 in Madagascar, rent included.

Canada costs about 1088% more than Madagascar on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Canada sits 73% above the global median, while Madagascar is 85% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.44 CA$25.62
$2.74 MGA 11.5K
572.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.5 CA$103
$17.59 MGA 73.8K
323.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.88 CA$15.12
$4.35 MGA 18.2K
150.11%
Cappuccino
$3.90 CA$5.41
$1.28 MGA 5,378
204.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 CA$3.00
$0.90 MGA 3,763
140.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 CA$2.41
$0.62 MGA 2,618
179.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.74 CA$7.97
$1.02 MGA 4,286
462.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.05 CA$8.40
$1.53 MGA 6,431
295.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.20 CA$3.06
$1.11 MGA 4,668
98.20%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.82
$0.98 MGA 4,104
180.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.66 CA$5.09
$0.71 MGA 2,995
415.49%
Eggs
$3.63 CA$5.05
$2.00 MGA 8,369
81.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.72 CA$16.28
$9.82 MGA 41.2K
19.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.28 CA$17.07
$4.77 MGA 20.0K
157.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.88 CA$20.67
$4.21 MGA 17.7K
253.44%
Apples (1kg)
$4.14 CA$5.75
$1.17 MGA 4,899
253.85%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.02
$0.63 MGA 2,651
130.16%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.79 CA$5.27
$1.02 MGA 4,280
271.57%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.09 CA$5.68
$0.88 MGA 3,705
364.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.73 CA$3.80
$0.53 MGA 2,238
415.09%
Onion (1kg)
$2.77 CA$3.84
$0.75 MGA 3,164
269.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.62 CA$3.63
$0.35 MGA 1,462
648.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 CA$2.60
$0.63 MGA 2,662
196.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.79 CA$20.55
$1.76 MGA 7,374
740.34%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.08 CA$18.17
$5.46 MGA 22.9K
139.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.03 CA$4.21
$0.84 MGA 3,510
260.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41 CA$4.73
$1.28 MGA 5,367
166.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.52 CA$3.50
$0.15 MGA 622
1580.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.9 CA$108
$9.08 MGA 38.1K
757.49%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.49 CA$4.85
$2.25 MGA 9,431
55.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CA$2.05
$2.04 MGA 8,537
-27.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.25 CA$39.25
$4.55 MGA 19.1K
520.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 CA$1.59
$1.28 MGA 5,347
-10.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4K CA$35.3K
$13.6K MGA 56.9M
87.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6K CA$28.7K
$23.5K MGA 98.5M
-12.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 CA$215
$46.66 MGA 195.6K
231.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.76 CA$63.6
$15.15 MGA 63.5K
202.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.2 CA$86.4
$51.5 MGA 216.1K
20.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.67 CA$60.7
$22.18 MGA 93.0K
96.89%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.14 CA$25.20
$6.35 MGA 26.6K
185.67%
Cinema Ticket
$11.38 CA$15.81
$6.69 MGA 28.1K
70.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$798 CA$1,108
$71.4 MGA 299.3K
1017.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.1K CA$16.8K
$11.5K MGA 48.4M
5.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8 CA$78.9
$26.60 MGA 111.6K
113.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.19 CA$58.6
$27.46 MGA 115.2K
53.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.9 CA$122
$71.8 MGA 301.2K
22.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 CA$148
$52.4 MGA 219.8K
103.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,359 CA$1,888
$303 MGA 1.3M
349.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,204 CA$1,672
$101 MGA 421.6K
1097.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,136 CA$2,967
$535 MGA 2.2M
299.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,860 CA$2,584
$369 MGA 1.5M
404.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,642 CA$6,449
$686 MGA 2.9M
576.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,852 CA$5,352
$589 MGA 2.5M
553.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Madagascar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,029 CA$4,208
$130 MGA 544.9K
2230.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.33
17.25
-63.30%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Canada: May 31, 2026

Last update for Madagascar: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,281 in Canada vs $71.0 in Madagascar. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,500 in Ottawa and $382 in Antananarivo.

Average salary: $2,972 in Canada vs $130 in Madagascar. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1704% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 871% more in Canada.

Public transport is 3150% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 2186% higher in Canada, giving Canada stronger purchasing power.

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
Canada vs Madagascar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Madagascar?
Madagascar is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 672% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Canada, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Canada consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Madagascar, contributing to the overall 672% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $800 a realistic budget in Canada or Madagascar?
$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Madagascar, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or 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.

Canada vs other spots: cost of living compared

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