Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mahajanga and Toamasina

For one person, living is cheaper in Toamasina: $466 a month against $538 in Mahajanga, rent and utilities included – about $860 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Mahajanga outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Jump to prices

Mahajanga

🇲🇬 Madagascar

$538

/mo nomad

Toamasina

🇲🇬 Madagascar

$466

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mahajanga and in Toamasina

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mahajanga and in Toamasina actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $538 per month in Mahajanga vs $466 in Toamasina, rent included.

Mahajanga $538
Toamasina $466

A couple spends around $792 per month in Mahajanga vs $753 in Toamasina, rent included.

Mahajanga $792
Toamasina $753

A family of three spends $1,045 per month in Mahajanga vs $1,040 in Toamasina, rent included.

Mahajanga $1,045
Toamasina $1,040

Mahajanga costs about 16% more than Toamasina.

Both Mahajanga and Toamasina are more affordable than the global median – Mahajanga 60% lower, Toamasina 66% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.02 MGA 9,260

$2.71 MGA 12.4K

-25.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.69 MGA 81.2K

$15.39 MGA 70.6K

14.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.35 MGA 20.0K

Cappuccino

$0.64 MGA 2,933

$1.13 MGA 5,188

-43.36%

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

$0.90 MGA 4,117

$0.57 MGA 2,620

57.89%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 MGA 3,859

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.97 MGA 4,442

$1.14 MGA 5,228

-14.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 MGA 7,214

$1.08 MGA 4,938

45.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 MGA 6,142

$1.07 MGA 4,897

25.23%

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 MGA 3,735

$1.13 MGA 5,194

-28.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.60 MGA 2,746

$1.02 MGA 4,662

-41.18%

Eggs

$2.06 MGA 9,468

$1.82 MGA 8,368

13.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.55 MGA 30.0K

$12.64 MGA 58.0K

-48.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.55 MGA 30.0K

$7.87 MGA 36.1K

-16.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.46 MGA 15.9K

$6.27 MGA 28.8K

-44.82%

Apples (1kg)

$1.07 MGA 4,909

$1.52 MGA 6,974

-29.61%

Banana (1kg)

$0.63 MGA 2,872

$1.36 MGA 6,235

-53.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.68 MGA 3,117

$1.57 MGA 7,201

-56.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.68 MGA 3,141

$0.63 MGA 2,885

7.94%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 MGA 2,371

$0.61 MGA 2,807

-14.75%

Onion (1kg)

$0.54 MGA 2,469

$0.55 MGA 2,530

-1.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.32 MGA 1,454

$0.35 MGA 1,586

-8.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 MGA 2,604

$0.46 MGA 2,107

23.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.70 MGA 7,807

Wine (Bottle)

$8.85 MGA 40.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 MGA 3,470

$0.83 MGA 3,811

-8.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.90 MGA 4,138

$1.11 MGA 5,099

-18.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 MGA 1,106

$0.32 MGA 1,446

-25.00%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 MGA 6,124

$1.13 MGA 5,204

17.70%

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

$43.81 MGA 201.0K

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

$6.56 MGA 30.1K

$30.75 MGA 141.0K

-78.67%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.87 MGA 100.3K

$66.0 MGA 302.7K

-66.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.71 MGA 81.2K

$22.32 MGA 102.4K

-20.65%

Cinema Ticket

$6.63 MGA 30.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$8.88 MGA 40.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$6.79 MGA 31.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$54.2 MGA 248.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.55 MGA 167.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$325 MGA 1.5M

$133 MGA 610.3K

144.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$265 MGA 1.2M

$54.8 MGA 251.2K

383.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$661 MGA 3.0M

$442 MGA 2.0M

49.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$436 MGA 2.0M

$131 MGA 602.9K

231.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$134 MGA 614.1K

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

Last update for Mahajanga: October 26, 2026

Last update for Toamasina: October 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $325 in Mahajanga versus $133 in Toamasina. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Mahajanga versus $15 in Toamasina. Groceries tell a different story – $144 in Mahajanga vs $171 in Toamasina – so Mahajanga wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know

🇲🇬 Mahajanga

🇲🇬 Toamasina

🕒 Local time

19:08 7:08 PM

Same time as Mahajanga

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

246,022

325,857

💱 Currency

Malagasy Ariary MGA Ar

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 MGA = 2.18 USD

10,000 MGA = 1.96 EUR

10,000 MGA = 2.18 USD

10,000 MGA = 1.96 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Mahajanga Toamasina 430 km

From you

Mahajanga
Toamasina

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Toamasina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $808 per month in Mahajanga and $698 in Toamasina. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Toamasina, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $133 there versus $325 in Mahajanga.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $538 in Mahajanga and $466 in Toamasina. That’s a gap of about 16%.

Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Mahajanga – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $538 in Mahajanga and $466 in Toamasina, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Mahajanga has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $466 in Toamasina to $538 in Mahajanga. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.