Cost of Living in Madagascar - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Madagascar
Address: MG

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $418 (excluding rent), and $567 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $947 (excluding rent), and $1,330 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.64 MGA 12.2K

$1.32 MGA 6,092

$4.40 MGA 20.3K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.71 MGA 81.9K

$13.28 MGA 61.4K

$33.22 MGA 153.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.38 MGA 20.3K

$5.48 MGA 25.3K

Cappuccino

$1.25 MGA 5,765

$0.77 MGA 3,569

$2.20 MGA 10.2K

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

$0.95 MGA 4,376

$0.69 MGA 3,187

$1.59 MGA 7,373

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.61 MGA 2,830

$0.42 MGA 1,946

$0.85 MGA 3,935

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 MGA 4,715

$0.65 MGA 3,009

$1.51 MGA 6,960

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 MGA 7,009

$1.09 MGA 5,019

$2.60 MGA 12.0K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 MGA 5,180

$0.65 MGA 2,994

$1.48 MGA 6,844

White Bread (500g)

$0.90 MGA 4,142

$0.21 MGA 969

$2.54 MGA 11.7K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.72 MGA 3,326

$0.61 MGA 2,803

$1.03 MGA 4,751

Eggs

$2.10 MGA 9,693

$1.37 MGA 6,319

$2.47 MGA 11.4K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.51 MGA 44.0K

$5.22 MGA 24.1K

$16.97 MGA 78.5K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.97 MGA 23.0K

$2.70 MGA 12.5K

$7.43 MGA 34.4K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.19 MGA 19.4K

$3.51 MGA 16.2K

$6.15 MGA 28.4K

Apples (1kg)

$1.15 MGA 5,315

$0.65 MGA 3,018

$2.27 MGA 10.5K

Banana (1kg)

$0.59 MGA 2,743

$0.42 MGA 1,947

$0.96 MGA 4,424

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 MGA 4,702

$0.40 MGA 1,871

$2.53 MGA 11.7K

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 MGA 3,979

$0.32 MGA 1,459

$1.37 MGA 6,322

Potato (1kg)

$0.53 MGA 2,446

$0.38 MGA 1,779

$0.75 MGA 3,469

Onion (1kg)

$0.79 MGA 3,658

$0.45 MGA 2,090

$1.51 MGA 6,983

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.38 MGA 1,746

$0.12 MGA 534

$0.59 MGA 2,717

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 MGA 2,724

$0.42 MGA 1,933

$0.74 MGA 3,427

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 MGA 8,280

$1.34 MGA 6,187

$6.32 MGA 29.2K

Wine (Bottle)

$4.94 MGA 22.8K

$4.39 MGA 20.3K

$8.77 MGA 40.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 MGA 4,030

$0.57 MGA 2,624

$1.20 MGA 5,530

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.22 MGA 5,649

$0.87 MGA 4,022

$2.60 MGA 12.0K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 MGA 798

$0.14 MGA 648

$0.36 MGA 1,645

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.80 MGA 40.7K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.19 MGA 10.1K

$4.38 MGA 20.3K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 MGA 9,142

$1.04 MGA 4,821

$2.09 MGA 9,643

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.33 MGA 20.0K

$3.25 MGA 15.0K

$6.50 MGA 30.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 MGA 5,629

$1.04 MGA 4,819

$1.30 MGA 5,989

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

$13.4K MGA 62.1M

$11.2K MGA 51.8M

$15.7K MGA 72.5M

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

$23.1K MGA 106.7M

$16.6K MGA 76.7M

$23.1K MGA 106.7M

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

$47.23 MGA 218.4K

$22.54 MGA 104.2K

$113 MGA 521.3K

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

$15.20 MGA 70.3K

$8.99 MGA 41.6K

$31.47 MGA 145.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.4 MGA 246.8K

$31.63 MGA 146.2K

$67.8 MGA 313.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.63 MGA 104.6K

$11.26 MGA 52.1K

$78.8 MGA 364.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.39 MGA 29.6K

$4.41 MGA 20.4K

$8.82 MGA 40.8K

Cinema Ticket

$6.52 MGA 30.2K

$4.35 MGA 20.1K

$8.70 MGA 40.2K

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

$71.9 MGA 332.4K

$22.47 MGA 103.9K

$151 MGA 696.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.7K MGA 54.3M

$2,681 MGA 12.4M

$25.3K MGA 116.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.36 MGA 126.5K

$10.16 MGA 47.0K

$52.0 MGA 240.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.85 MGA 124.1K

$9.83 MGA 45.5K

$54.6 MGA 252.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.1 MGA 338.0K

$26.87 MGA 124.2K

$134 MGA 621.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.9 MGA 235.2K

$32.86 MGA 151.9K

$164 MGA 759.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$293 MGA 1.4M

$109 MGA 504.5K

$567 MGA 2.6M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.3 MGA 454.4K

$43.94 MGA 203.2K

$264 MGA 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$535 MGA 2.5M

$329 MGA 1.5M

$1,097 MGA 5.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$369 MGA 1.7M

$154 MGA 713.9K

$993 MGA 4.6M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$680 MGA 3.1M

$402 MGA 1.9M

$1,118 MGA 5.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$576 MGA 2.7M

$533 MGA 2.5M

$652 MGA 3.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$117 MGA 539.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

17.25

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

Last update: January 17, 2026

By City in Madagascar

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Ambatolampy	32291		$7.99	$7.96	$20.84	$20.42	74.57	36.46
2	Ambatondrazaka	47649						37.34	48.01
3	Ambositra	41078						145.96	25.13
4	Antalaha	67888						174.62	22.85
5	Antananarivo	1274225	29	$440	$587	$992	$1,490	43.02	47.32
6	Antsirabe	246354		$241	$293	$411	$663	42.26	35.98
7	Antsiranana	129320		$251	$290	$631	$887	215.2	39.6
8	Mahajanga	246022		$251	$382	$580	$1,047	9.78	57.8
9	Manakara	44237	19	$298	$383	$850	$795	82.21	36.4
10	Maroantsetra	42529						155.08	15.97
11	Marolambo	-						207.56	48.64
12	Toamasina	325857		$409	$435	$784	$965	112.97	60.13
13	Toliara	168756		$196	$178	$377	$356	88.96	43.14

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Madagascar - Frequently Asked Questions

Across regions, the Cost of Living in Madagascar tends to be lower than many Western destinations, especially for local meals, public transport, and basic services. Value hinges on location: the capital and major tourist corridors can carry higher costs for housing and imported goods, while smaller towns offer steadier prices for everyday essentials. This mix suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads who prepare a flexible budget and lean toward longer stays to maximize value, while balancing occasional splurges with local experiences. Tip: Favor local markets for produce, consider longer-term rental options to reduce monthly costs, and map a seasonally quieter period for housing viewings.

Daily life in Madagascar unfolds with adjustments to pace, logistics, and local options. Housing search typically starts with local listings, neighborhood scouting, and short stays while you test where you want to settle. In cities you may find furnished flats in busy districts; in rural towns, consider simple homes with flexible terms. Food comes from lively markets and small eateries offering fresh fish, produce, and Malagasy staples. Transport spans taxi-brousse for long trips and affordable local options for shorter hops; walking and bikes work well in compact areas. Madagascar living cost influences how you balance eating out with cooking at home. Tip: Build a week-by-week plan and keep cash on hand for small vendors.

Quality of life hinges on balancing work, rest, and local immersion. Use a simple budgeting framework: track essentials, modest splurges, and savings; adjust monthly as you settle. Seasonality shapes cost and activity – lean into dry months for outdoor explorations and plan around wet season for indoor projects. For neighborhood fit, choose areas with reliable internet, safe walking routes, and access to markets or cafes. In larger towns, co-working spaces, community meetups, and expat networks help with faster integration; in rural areas, you’ll find slower pace and more affordable living but fewer services. Tip: when evaluating a place, test a few weeks in a neighborhood before committing.