😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,296 in Lisbon versus $482 in Ambatolampy.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,376 in Lisbon versus $712 in Ambatolampy.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,457 in Lisbon versus $943 in Ambatolampy.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 376% more expensive than in Ambatolampy, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 68% above, Ambatolampy is 65% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.59€15.32
$2.71MGA 11.8K
549.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.9€54.8
$10.57MGA 46.1K
494.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.58€10.09
$5.77MGA 25.2K
100.69%
Cappuccino
$3.10€2.70
$1.73MGA 7,526
79.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.17
$0.79MGA 3,429
215.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74€1.52
$0.47MGA 2,030
270.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48€3.03
$1.06MGA 4,627
228.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44€3.00
$2.38MGA 10.4K
44.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15€1.00
$0.90MGA 3,935
27.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.91€1.66
$1.03MGA 4,483
85.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.50€1.31
$0.72MGA 3,163
108.33%
Eggs
$3.98€3.47
$2.07MGA 9,024
92.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.29€11.58
$8.75MGA 38.2K
51.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.98
$4.71MGA 20.5K
70.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.04€15.72
$4.93MGA 21.5K
265.92%
Apples(1kg)
$2.35€2.05
$1.14MGA 4,957
106.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75€1.52
$0.61MGA 2,649
186.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85€1.62
$1.04MGA 4,536
77.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55€2.22
$0.90MGA 3,938
183.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.61
$0.58MGA 2,512
217.24%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10€1.83
$0.95MGA 4,154
121.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.49€1.29
$0.33MGA 1,428
351.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82€0.71
$0.70MGA 3,038
17.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.10€6.18
$1.59MGA 6,943
346.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.91€5.15
$5.10MGA 22.2K
15.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31€1.15
$1.03MGA 4,485
27.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13€1.86
$1.84MGA 8,038
15.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36€2.05
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.62€40.61
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.55
$3.45MGA 15.0K
18.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14€0.99
$2.14MGA 9,322
-46.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.09€14.89
$4.69MGA 20.5K
264.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.31€2.01
$0.90MGA 3,936
156.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K€29.7K
$12.4KMGA 54.3M
174.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4K€36.0K
$26.0KMGA 113.4M
59.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169€147
$75.7MGA 330.1K
122.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.33€16.84
$17.45MGA 76.1K
10.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.51€29.20
$59.0MGA 257.4K
-43.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.84€42.55
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.43€16.93
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.57€8.34
$5.88MGA 25.7K
62.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$696€606
$25.60MGA 111.7K
2618.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.4K€15.1K
$15.2KMGA 66.1M
14.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€91.7
$30.25MGA 132.0K
248.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.75€41.60
$28.45MGA 124.1K
67.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101€87.6
$78.8MGA 343.9K
27.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124€108
$71.0MGA 309.8K
75.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,662€1,448
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,246€1,086
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,965€2,583
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,049€1,785
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,834€6,825
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,464€3,889
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Ambatolampy
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,632€1,421
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
15.75
-76.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 12, 2026
Last update for Ambatolampy: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $11.00 in Ambatolampy for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $277 vs $145 per month, with Ambatolampy cheaper across the board.
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
Lisbon vs Ambatolampy: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Ambatolampy?
Ambatolampy wins on cost – living expenses run 376% lower than in Lisbon. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ambatolampy the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lisbon and in Ambatolampy?
You'd need roughly $3,444 in Lisbon and $723 in Ambatolampy to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do childcare costs compare in Lisbon and in Ambatolampy?
Childcare runs $696 in Lisbon versus $25.60 in Ambatolampy. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Lisbon and in Ambatolampy?
Dining out is cheaper in Ambatolampy – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $63.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Lisbon or in Ambatolampy?
At $482 in Ambatolampy versus $2,296 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ambatolampy but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Ambatolampy the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or Ambatolampy?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ambatolampy delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $482 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ambatolampy hard to pass up.
How safe is Lisbon compared to Ambatolampy?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Ambatolampy are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ambatolampy gentler on the wallet – expenses run 376% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.