Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Toliara and Mahajanga

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.

Toliara, Madagascar
Mahajanga, Madagascar
Toliara
🇲🇬 Madagascar
$174
/mo nomad
Mahajanga
🇲🇬 Madagascar
$538
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Toliara and in Mahajanga

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

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

  • Toliara $174
  • Mahajanga $538

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

  • Toliara $261
  • Mahajanga $792

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

  • Toliara $349
  • Mahajanga $1,045

Toliara is about 68% cheaper than Mahajanga, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

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

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Toliara
Mahajanga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.72 MGA 7,855
$2.02 MGA 9,238
-14.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$17.69 MGA 81.0K
-
Cappuccino
$0.78 MGA 3,585
$0.64 MGA 2,927
21.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67 MGA 3,082
$0.90 MGA 4,108
-25.56%
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
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Toliara
Mahajanga
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.42 MGA 6,505
$1.34 MGA 6,128
5.97%
White Bread (500g)
-
$0.81 MGA 3,726
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.41 MGA 1,871
$0.60 MGA 2,740
-31.67%
Eggs
$2.08 MGA 9,499
$2.06 MGA 9,446
0.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$6.55 MGA 30.0K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.69 MGA 21.5K
$6.55 MGA 30.0K
-28.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.94 MGA 22.6K
$3.46 MGA 15.9K
42.77%
Apples (1kg)
-
$1.07 MGA 4,898
-
Banana (1kg)
$0.68 MGA 3,120
$0.63 MGA 2,866
7.94%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$0.68 MGA 3,110
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.68 MGA 7,685
$0.68 MGA 3,134
147.06%
Potato (1kg)
$0.52 MGA 2,372
$0.52 MGA 2,366
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$0.54 MGA 2,463
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.32 MGA 1,450
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67 MGA 3,071
$0.57 MGA 2,598
17.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.80 MGA 8,253
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$5.48 MGA 25.1K
$8.85 MGA 40.5K
-38.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 MGA 2,877
$0.76 MGA 3,462
-17.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.90 MGA 4,128
-
🚌 Getting Around
Toliara
Mahajanga
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.24 MGA 1,104
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.33 MGA 6,110
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Toliara
Mahajanga
Difference
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)
$16.30 MGA 74.6K
$6.56 MGA 30.0K
148.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.49 MGA 153.3K
$21.87 MGA 100.1K
53.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Toliara
Mahajanga
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$17.71 MGA 81.0K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Toliara
Mahajanga
Difference
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 Toliara: October 25, 2026

Last update for Mahajanga: October 26, 2026

Good to know
🇲🇬 Toliara
🇲🇬 Mahajanga
🕒 Local time
02:56 2:56 AM
02:56 2:56 AM
Same time as Toliara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
168,756
246,022
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MGA – Malagasy Ariary Converter

Malagasy Ariary exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 4,577 MGA (10,000 MGA = 2.18 USD). 1 EUR = 5,110 MGA (10,000 MGA = 1.96 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Toliara Mahajanga 890 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Toliara
  • Mahajanga

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
Toliara vs Mahajanga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Toliara or Mahajanga?
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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Toliara and in Mahajanga?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $261 per month in Toliara and $808 in Mahajanga. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Toliara compared to Mahajanga?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $174 in Toliara and $538 in Mahajanga. That makes Toliara about 68% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Toliara or in Mahajanga?
Groceries cost about 46% more in Mahajanga, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Toliara or in Mahajanga?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $174 in Toliara and $538 in Mahajanga, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Toliara or Mahajanga?
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.

Toliara vs other spots: cost of living compared

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