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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Madagascar is roughly 92% cheaper than Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

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

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.74 MGA 11.5K
$18.44 CA$25.53
-85.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.59 MGA 73.8K
$74.5 CA$103
-76.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.35 MGA 18.2K
$10.88 CA$15.07
-60.02%
Cappuccino
$1.28 MGA 5,377
$3.90 CA$5.39
-67.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90 MGA 3,762
$2.16 CA$2.99
-58.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 MGA 2,617
$1.73 CA$2.40
-64.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.02 MGA 4,285
$5.74 CA$7.94
-82.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 MGA 6,429
$6.05 CA$8.37
-74.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 MGA 4,667
$2.20 CA$3.05
-49.55%
White Bread (500g)
$0.98 MGA 4,103
$2.75 CA$3.81
-64.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.71 MGA 2,994
$3.66 CA$5.07
-80.60%
Eggs
$2.00 MGA 8,368
$3.63 CA$5.03
-44.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.82 MGA 41.2K
$11.72 CA$16.22
-16.21%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.77 MGA 20.0K
$12.28 CA$17.01
-61.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.21 MGA 17.6K
$14.88 CA$20.60
-71.71%
Apples (1kg)
$1.17 MGA 4,898
$4.14 CA$5.73
-71.74%
Banana (1kg)
$0.63 MGA 2,650
$1.45 CA$2.01
-56.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.02 MGA 4,280
$3.79 CA$5.25
-73.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.88 MGA 3,704
$4.09 CA$5.66
-78.48%
Potato (1kg)
$0.53 MGA 2,238
$2.73 CA$3.78
-80.59%
Onion (1kg)
$0.75 MGA 3,163
$2.77 CA$3.83
-72.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.35 MGA 1,462
$2.62 CA$3.62
-86.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 MGA 2,662
$1.87 CA$2.59
-66.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.76 MGA 7,373
$14.79 CA$20.48
-88.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.46 MGA 22.9K
$13.08 CA$18.11
-58.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 MGA 3,509
$3.03 CA$4.19
-72.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 MGA 5,366
$3.41 CA$4.72
-62.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.15 MGA 622
$2.52 CA$3.49
-94.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.08 MGA 38.1K
$77.9 CA$108
-88.34%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.25 MGA 9,429
$3.49 CA$4.83
-35.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.04 MGA 8,535
$1.48 CA$2.04
37.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.55 MGA 19.1K
$28.25 CA$39.12
-83.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 MGA 5,346
$1.15 CA$1.59
11.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.6K MGA 56.9M
$25.4K CA$35.2K
-46.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5K MGA 98.5M
$20.6K CA$28.6K
13.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$46.66 MGA 195.6K
$155 CA$214
-69.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.15 MGA 63.5K
$45.76 CA$63.4
-66.89%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 MGA 216.0K
$62.2 CA$86.1
-17.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.18 MGA 93.0K
$43.67 CA$60.5
-49.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.35 MGA 26.6K
$18.14 CA$25.11
-64.99%
Cinema Ticket
$6.69 MGA 28.1K
$11.38 CA$15.76
-41.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$71.4 MGA 299.2K
$798 CA$1,104
-91.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K MGA 48.3M
$12.1K CA$16.8K
-4.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.60 MGA 111.5K
$56.8 CA$78.7
-53.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.46 MGA 115.1K
$42.19 CA$58.4
-34.91%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.8 MGA 301.2K
$87.9 CA$122
-18.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.4 MGA 219.8K
$106 CA$147
-50.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$303 MGA 1.3M
$1,359 CA$1,882
-77.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$101 MGA 421.5K
$1,204 CA$1,667
-91.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$535 MGA 2.2M
$2,136 CA$2,957
-74.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$369 MGA 1.5M
$1,860 CA$2,575
-80.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$686 MGA 2.9M
$4,642 CA$6,427
-85.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$589 MGA 2.5M
$3,852 CA$5,333
-84.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madagascar
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$130 MGA 544.8K
$3,029 CA$4,194
-95.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
17.25
6.33
172.51%

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

Last update for Madagascar: June 2, 2026

Last update for Canada: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

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

Average salary: $130 in Madagascar vs $2,972 in Canada. 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
Madagascar vs Canada: 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.

Madagascar vs other spots: cost of living compared

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