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: $377 in Mahajanga versus $294 in Antsirabe.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $709 in Mahajanga versus $471 in Antsirabe.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,041 in Mahajanga versus $648 in Antsirabe.

Living in Mahajanga is roughly 28% more expensive than Antsirabe, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mahajanga 72% lower, Antsirabe 78% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.97 MGA 8,249

$1.01 MGA 4,249

95.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.84 MGA 74.8K

$14.27 MGA 59.8K

25.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.33 MGA 18.1K

Cappuccino

$0.69 MGA 2,880

$1.35 MGA 5,651

-48.89%

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

$0.86 MGA 3,595

$0.81 MGA 3,394

6.17%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.87 MGA 3,666

$0.53 MGA 2,239

64.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 MGA 4,294

$1.51 MGA 6,321

-32.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 MGA 6,586

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 MGA 4,390

$0.41 MGA 1,721

156.10%

White Bread (500g)

$0.60 MGA 2,496

$0.42 MGA 1,752

42.86%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.61 MGA 2,552

$0.58 MGA 2,411

5.17%

Eggs

$1.91 MGA 8,023

$0.79 MGA 3,304

141.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.52 MGA 27.3K

$7.59 MGA 31.8K

-14.10%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.31 MGA 22.3K

$3.73 MGA 15.6K

42.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.32 MGA 13.9K

$4.08 MGA 17.1K

-18.63%

Apples (1kg)

$0.91 MGA 3,825

$0.69 MGA 2,882

31.88%

Banana (1kg)

$0.57 MGA 2,404

$0.28 MGA 1,179

103.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.76 MGA 3,188

$0.64 MGA 2,679

18.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.50 MGA 2,100

$0.35 MGA 1,449

42.86%

Potato (1kg)

$0.50 MGA 2,092

$0.21 MGA 879

138.10%

Onion (1kg)

$0.45 MGA 1,885

$0.43 MGA 1,798

4.65%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.40 MGA 1,675

$0.09 MGA 363

344.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 MGA 2,444

$0.43 MGA 1,796

34.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.13 MGA 4,725

Wine (Bottle)

$9.41 MGA 39.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.79 MGA 3,298

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 MGA 4,309

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.13 MGA 526

$0.09 MGA 395

44.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.07 MGA 38.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 MGA 4,578

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

$43.80 MGA 183.6K

$37.91 MGA 158.9K

15.54%

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

$6.62 MGA 27.7K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.07 MGA 92.5K

$62.2 MGA 260.9K

-64.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.06 MGA 75.7K

$16.58 MGA 69.5K

8.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$334 MGA 1.4M

$67.9 MGA 284.6K

391.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$109 MGA 457.5K

$44.67 MGA 187.3K

144.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$667 MGA 2.8M

$218 MGA 914.7K

205.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$445 MGA 1.9M

$155 MGA 650.2K

187.11%

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

Last update for Mahajanga: June 1, 2026

Last update for Antsirabe: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $334 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 $14.00 in Antsirabe for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $132 vs $84.0 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 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $566 in Mahajanga and $441 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: $334 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 57% 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 $14.00 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 28% less than in Mahajanga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.