Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Madagascar Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Madagascar

Name: Madagascar
Address: MG

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,626 per month in United States vs $313 in Madagascar, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $491 in Madagascar, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,033 per month in United States vs $668 in Madagascar, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 739% higher than in Madagascar on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 90% above the global median, while Madagascar is 77% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.83 $19.83

$2.24 MGA 9,725

785.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.8 $78.8

$17.49 MGA 75.8K

350.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.19 $12.19

$4.78 MGA 20.7K

155.02%

Cappuccino

$5.59 $5.59

$1.36 MGA 5,892

311.03%

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

$2.78 $2.78

$0.81 MGA 3,497

243.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$0.65 MGA 2,836

235.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 $5.86

$1.14 MGA 4,931

414.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.02 $8.02

$1.78 MGA 7,720

350.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$1.18 MGA 5,108

-9.32%

White Bread (500g)

$3.68 $3.68

$0.98 MGA 4,257

275.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.66 $4.66

$0.77 MGA 3,339

505.19%

Eggs

$4.20 $4.20

$2.13 MGA 9,249

97.18%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.78 $12.78

$8.84 MGA 38.3K

44.57%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.40 $12.40

$5.25 MGA 22.7K

136.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.90 $16.90

$4.83 MGA 20.9K

249.90%

Apples (1kg)

$5.23 $5.23

$1.21 MGA 5,250

332.23%

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$0.67 MGA 2,894

147.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$0.99 MGA 4,307

337.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$0.90 MGA 3,880

451.11%

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$0.57 MGA 2,463

394.74%

Onion (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$0.79 MGA 3,425

293.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.19 $2.19

$0.34 MGA 1,493

544.12%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$0.65 MGA 2,807

247.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.35 $10.35

$1.68 MGA 7,263

516.07%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

$5.12 MGA 22.2K

189.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$0.92 MGA 3,991

127.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.65 $3.65

$1.65 MGA 7,153

121.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.38 $2.38

$0.14 MGA 603

1600.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 $64.5

$19.02 MGA 82.4K

239.06%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.59 MGA 15.5K

-1.39%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 $1.86

$2.40 MGA 10.4K

-22.50%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.34 $30.34

$4.76 MGA 20.6K

537.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.19 MGA 5,141

-15.97%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.5K $35.5K

$13.2K MGA 57.1M

169.66%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.9K $25.9K

$24.9K MGA 107.8M

3.93%

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

$222 $222

$68.5 MGA 296.6K

224.60%

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

$61.1 $61.1

$17.99 MGA 77.9K

239.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.7 $74.7

$56.1 MGA 242.9K

33.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.49 $44.49

$24.07 MGA 104.3K

84.84%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.35 $22.35

$7.56 MGA 32.7K

195.63%

Cinema Ticket

$15.03 $15.03

$6.46 MGA 28.0K

132.66%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,431 $1,431

$26.47 MGA 114.7K

5306.08%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.9K $25.9K

$15.5K MGA 67.1M

67.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.6 $53.6

$21.11 MGA 91.5K

153.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.46 $43.46

$27.23 MGA 118.0K

59.60%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.5 $91.5

$72.2 MGA 312.6K

26.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$49.68 MGA 215.3K

128.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 $1,633

$308 MGA 1.3M

430.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,328 $1,328

$144 MGA 621.8K

825.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,606 $2,606

$722 MGA 3.1M

261.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,206 $2,206

$342 MGA 1.5M

545.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,323 $3,323

$699 MGA 3.0M

375.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,653 $2,653

$598 MGA 2.6M

343.81%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,306 $4,306

$131 MGA 567.7K

3186.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

19.75

-68.56%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Madagascar: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,604 in United States vs $63.0 in Madagascar. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,360 in Columbia, TN and $333 in Antananarivo.

Average salary: $4,526 in United States vs $132 in Madagascar. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 2446% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 650% more in United States.

Public transport is 800% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 3329% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Madagascar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Madagascar is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 837% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Madagascar, contributing to the overall 837% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Madagascar, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Madagascar is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.