Cost of Living Comparison Between Mahajanga and Antsirabe Cost of Living Comparison Between Mahajanga and Antsirabe

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $387 in Mahajanga versus $305 in Antsirabe.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $720 in Mahajanga versus $496 in Antsirabe.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,052 in Mahajanga versus $686 in Antsirabe.

Living in Mahajanga is roughly 27% more expensive than in Antsirabe, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mahajanga 71% lower, Antsirabe 77% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.02 MGA 8,677

$1.01 MGA 4,347

100.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.10 MGA 77.6K

$14.53 MGA 62.3K

24.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.51 MGA 19.4K

Cappuccino

$0.68 MGA 2,931

$1.32 MGA 5,653

-48.48%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.92 MGA 3,962

$0.85 MGA 3,665

8.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.88 MGA 3,773

$0.58 MGA 2,473

51.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 MGA 4,398

$1.53 MGA 6,559

-32.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 MGA 6,790

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 MGA 4,636

$0.38 MGA 1,634

184.21%

White Bread (500g)

$0.59 MGA 2,522

$0.46 MGA 1,952

28.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.57 MGA 2,437

$0.59 MGA 2,523

-3.39%

Eggs

$1.91 MGA 8,212

$0.84 MGA 3,590

127.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.76 MGA 29.0K

$7.82 MGA 33.5K

-13.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.21 MGA 22.3K

$3.67 MGA 15.7K

41.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.30 MGA 14.1K

$3.95 MGA 16.9K

-16.46%

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 MGA 4,173

$0.70 MGA 3,011

38.57%

Banana (1kg)

$0.59 MGA 2,515

$0.28 MGA 1,208

110.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.77 MGA 3,301

$0.65 MGA 2,779

18.46%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.51 MGA 2,178

$0.32 MGA 1,360

59.38%

Potato (1kg)

$0.50 MGA 2,152

$0.21 MGA 897

138.10%

Onion (1kg)

$0.48 MGA 2,038

$0.46 MGA 1,959

4.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.43 MGA 1,845

$0.09 MGA 398

377.78%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 MGA 2,734

$0.45 MGA 1,949

42.22%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.09 MGA 4,658

Wine (Bottle)

$9.35 MGA 40.1K

$5.14 MGA 22.1K

81.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 MGA 3,527

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 MGA 4,204

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.15 MGA 639

$0.09 MGA 392

66.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.05 MGA 38.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 MGA 4,878

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$43.84 MGA 188.0K

$37.61 MGA 161.3K

16.56%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$6.78 MGA 29.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.52 MGA 96.6K

$62.8 MGA 269.3K

-64.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.61 MGA 75.5K

$16.34 MGA 70.1K

7.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$339 MGA 1.5M

$67.9 MGA 291.1K

399.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$111 MGA 475.1K

$44.23 MGA 189.7K

150.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$664 MGA 2.8M

$218 MGA 934.7K

204.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$452 MGA 1.9M

$158 MGA 676.7K

186.59%

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

Last update for Mahajanga: July 13, 2026

Last update for Antsirabe: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $339 in Mahajanga and $67.9 in Antsirabe. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $18.00 in Mahajanga vs $15.00 in Antsirabe for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $133 vs $95.0 per month, with Antsirabe 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

Mahajanga vs Antsirabe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Antsirabe is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $581 in Mahajanga and $458 in Antsirabe 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $339 in Mahajanga versus $67.9 in Antsirabe. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 41% higher in Mahajanga. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Antsirabe – a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $18.00 in Mahajanga. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Antsirabe gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Mahajanga and Antsirabe are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Antsirabe gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Mahajanga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.