😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $388 in India versus $195 in Madagascar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $617 in India versus $336 in Madagascar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $846 in India versus $476 in Madagascar.
😐Living in India is roughly 99% more expensive than Madagascar on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: India71% lower, Madagascar85% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
India
Madagascar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.49₹237
$2.74MGA 11.5K
-9.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.20₹1,353
$17.59MGA 73.8K
-19.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.98₹379
$4.35MGA 18.2K
-8.51%
Cappuccino
$1.88₹179
$1.28MGA 5,377
46.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44₹41.98
$0.90MGA 3,762
-51.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19₹18.57
$0.62MGA 2,617
-69.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02₹192
$1.02MGA 4,285
98.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45₹329
$1.53MGA 6,429
125.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
India
Madagascar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.72₹68.3
$1.11MGA 4,667
-35.14%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52₹49.26
$0.98MGA 4,103
-46.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.72₹68.7
$0.71MGA 2,994
1.41%
Eggs
$0.93₹88.8
$2.00MGA 8,368
-53.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.24₹499
$9.82MGA 41.2K
-46.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.07₹292
$4.77MGA 20.0K
-35.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$4.21MGA 17.6K
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.17₹207
$1.17MGA 4,898
85.47%
Banana(1kg)
$0.76₹72.2
$0.63MGA 2,650
20.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05₹100
$1.02MGA 4,280
2.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53₹50.7
$0.88MGA 3,704
-39.77%
Potato(1kg)
$0.39₹37.53
$0.53MGA 2,238
-26.42%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49₹46.81
$0.75MGA 3,163
-34.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.52₹49.35
$0.35MGA 1,462
48.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33₹31.13
$0.63MGA 2,662
-47.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.05₹386
$1.76MGA 7,373
130.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.39₹704
$5.46MGA 22.9K
35.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84₹175
$0.84MGA 3,509
119.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90₹277
$1.28MGA 5,366
126.56%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.65₹538
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
India
Madagascar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₹34.59
$0.15MGA 622
140.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.74₹928
$9.08MGA 38.1K
7.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95₹90.6
$2.25MGA 9,429
-57.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30₹28.64
$2.04MGA 8,535
-85.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.73₹165
$4.55MGA 19.1K
-61.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23₹117
$1.28MGA 5,346
-3.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9K₹1.3M
$13.6KMGA 56.9M
2.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6K₹2.2M
$23.5KMGA 98.5M
-3.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
India
Madagascar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.88₹3,894
$46.66MGA 195.6K
-12.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.91₹372
$15.15MGA 63.5K
-74.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.81₹744
$51.5MGA 216.0K
-84.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
India
Madagascar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.15₹1,538
$22.18MGA 93.0K
-27.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.49₹713
$6.35MGA 26.6K
17.95%
Cinema Ticket
$3.42₹326
$6.69MGA 28.1K
-48.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
India
Madagascar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$69.9₹6,660
$71.4MGA 299.2K
-2.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,793₹170.8K
$11.5KMGA 48.3M
-84.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
India
Madagascar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.83₹2,460
$26.60MGA 111.5K
-2.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.61₹2,535
$27.46MGA 115.1K
-3.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$45.24₹4,309
$71.8MGA 301.2K
-37.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.68₹3,208
$52.4MGA 219.8K
-35.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
India
Madagascar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$178₹17.0K
$303MGA 1.3M
-41.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$115₹10.9K
$101MGA 421.5K
14.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$407₹38.8K
$535MGA 2.2M
-23.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$264₹25.1K
$369MGA 1.5M
-28.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,240₹118.1K
$686MGA 2.9M
80.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$631₹60.1K
$589MGA 2.5M
7.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
India
Madagascar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$432₹41.2K
$130MGA 544.8K
232.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.02
17.25
-47.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for India: June 2, 2026
Last update for Madagascar: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $127 in India, $71.0 in Madagascar. Capital cities: $239 in Delhi vs $382 in Antananarivo.
💰National salary averages: $398 in India, $130 in Madagascar. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 79% higher in India.
⭐Dining out costs 57% more in India.
⭐Public transport is 350% more expensive in India.
⭐Salaries are 206% higher in India, giving India 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
India vs Madagascar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between India and Madagascar?
At $576 per month in India and $286 in Madagascar, there's a 102% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Madagascar is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in India beats Madagascar across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $800 a realistic budget in India or Madagascar?
In Madagascar, $800 covers most cities easily. In India, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to India or Madagascar?
It depends on what you're after. Madagascar wins on affordability; India may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.