Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mahajanga and Toliara

For one person, living is cheaper in Toliara: $174 a month against $538 in Mahajanga, rent and utilities included – about $4,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Jump to prices

Mahajanga

🇲🇬 Madagascar

$538

/mo nomad

Toliara

🇲🇬 Madagascar

$174

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mahajanga and in Toliara

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 Toliara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $538 per month in Mahajanga vs $174 in Toliara, rent included.

Mahajanga $538
Toliara $174

A couple spends around $792 per month in Mahajanga vs $261 in Toliara, rent included.

Mahajanga $792
Toliara $261

A family of three spends $1,045 per month in Mahajanga vs $349 in Toliara, rent included.

Mahajanga $1,045
Toliara $349

Mahajanga costs about 209% more than Toliara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Mahajanga and Toliara are more affordable than the global median – Mahajanga 60% lower, Toliara 87% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.02 MGA 9,238

$1.72 MGA 7,855

17.44%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.69 MGA 81.0K

Cappuccino

$0.64 MGA 2,927

$0.78 MGA 3,585

-17.95%

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

$0.90 MGA 4,108

$0.67 MGA 3,082

34.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 MGA 3,850

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.97 MGA 4,431

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 MGA 7,197

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 MGA 6,128

$1.42 MGA 6,505

-5.63%

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 MGA 3,726

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.60 MGA 2,740

$0.41 MGA 1,871

46.34%

Eggs

$2.06 MGA 9,446

$2.08 MGA 9,499

-0.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.55 MGA 30.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.55 MGA 30.0K

$4.69 MGA 21.5K

39.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.46 MGA 15.9K

$4.94 MGA 22.6K

-29.96%

Apples (1kg)

$1.07 MGA 4,898

Banana (1kg)

$0.63 MGA 2,866

$0.68 MGA 3,120

-7.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.68 MGA 3,110

Tomato (1kg)

$0.68 MGA 3,134

$1.68 MGA 7,685

-59.52%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 MGA 2,366

$0.52 MGA 2,372

Onion (1kg)

$0.54 MGA 2,463

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.32 MGA 1,450

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 MGA 2,598

$0.67 MGA 3,071

-14.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.80 MGA 8,253

Wine (Bottle)

$8.85 MGA 40.5K

$5.48 MGA 25.1K

61.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 MGA 3,462

$0.63 MGA 2,877

20.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.90 MGA 4,128

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 MGA 1,104

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 MGA 6,110

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

$43.81 MGA 200.5K

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

$6.56 MGA 30.0K

$16.30 MGA 74.6K

-59.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.87 MGA 100.1K

$33.49 MGA 153.3K

-34.70%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.71 MGA 81.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$325 MGA 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$265 MGA 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$661 MGA 3.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$436 MGA 2.0M

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

Last update for Mahajanga: October 26, 2026

Last update for Toliara: October 25, 2026

Good to know

🇲🇬 Mahajanga

🇲🇬 Toliara

🕒 Local time

18:07 6:07 PM

Same time as Mahajanga

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

246,022

168,756

💱 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

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Mahajanga Toliara 890 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Mahajanga
Toliara

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 Toliara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Mahajanga costs about 209% more than Toliara, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $808 per month in Mahajanga and $261 in Toliara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $538 in Mahajanga and $174 in Toliara. That makes Toliara about 68% cheaper.

Groceries cost about 46% more in Mahajanga, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $538 in Mahajanga and $174 in Toliara, 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 $174 in Toliara to $538 in Mahajanga. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.