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 12.0K

$1.32 MGA 5,986

$4.40 MGA 20.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.71 MGA 80.5K

$13.28 MGA 60.3K

$33.22 MGA 150.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.38 MGA 19.9K

$5.48 MGA 24.9K

Cappuccino

$1.25 MGA 5,665

$0.77 MGA 3,507

$2.20 MGA 9,981

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

$0.95 MGA 4,300

$0.69 MGA 3,132

$1.59 MGA 7,245

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.61 MGA 2,781

$0.42 MGA 1,912

$0.85 MGA 3,867

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 MGA 4,633

$0.65 MGA 2,956

$1.51 MGA 6,839

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 MGA 6,887

$1.09 MGA 4,932

$2.60 MGA 11.8K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 MGA 5,090

$0.65 MGA 2,942

$1.48 MGA 6,725

White Bread (500g)

$0.90 MGA 4,070

$0.21 MGA 953

$2.54 MGA 11.5K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.72 MGA 3,268

$0.61 MGA 2,754

$1.03 MGA 4,668

Eggs

$2.10 MGA 9,524

$1.37 MGA 6,210

$2.47 MGA 11.2K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.51 MGA 43.2K

$5.22 MGA 23.7K

$16.97 MGA 77.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.97 MGA 22.6K

$2.70 MGA 12.3K

$7.43 MGA 33.8K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.19 MGA 19.0K

$3.51 MGA 15.9K

$6.15 MGA 27.9K

Apples (1kg)

$1.15 MGA 5,223

$0.65 MGA 2,965

$2.27 MGA 10.3K

Banana (1kg)

$0.59 MGA 2,695

$0.42 MGA 1,913

$0.96 MGA 4,347

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 MGA 4,620

$0.40 MGA 1,839

$2.53 MGA 11.5K

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 MGA 3,910

$0.32 MGA 1,434

$1.37 MGA 6,212

Potato (1kg)

$0.53 MGA 2,404

$0.38 MGA 1,748

$0.75 MGA 3,409

Onion (1kg)

$0.79 MGA 3,594

$0.45 MGA 2,054

$1.51 MGA 6,862

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.38 MGA 1,716

$0.12 MGA 524

$0.59 MGA 2,669

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 MGA 2,676

$0.42 MGA 1,899

$0.74 MGA 3,367

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 MGA 8,136

$1.34 MGA 6,079

$6.32 MGA 28.7K

Wine (Bottle)

$4.94 MGA 22.4K

$4.39 MGA 19.9K

$8.77 MGA 39.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 MGA 3,961

$0.57 MGA 2,579

$1.20 MGA 5,434

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.22 MGA 5,551

$0.87 MGA 3,952

$2.60 MGA 11.8K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 MGA 784

$0.14 MGA 637

$0.36 MGA 1,616

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.80 MGA 40.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.19 MGA 9,953

$4.38 MGA 19.9K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 MGA 8,984

$1.04 MGA 4,738

$2.09 MGA 9,475

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.33 MGA 19.7K

$3.25 MGA 14.8K

$6.50 MGA 29.5K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 MGA 5,531

$1.04 MGA 4,735

$1.30 MGA 5,886

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

$13.4K MGA 61.1M

$11.2K MGA 50.9M

$15.7K MGA 71.2M

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

$23.1K MGA 104.9M

$16.6K MGA 75.4M

$23.1K MGA 104.9M

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

$47.23 MGA 214.6K

$22.54 MGA 102.4K

$113 MGA 512.2K

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

$15.20 MGA 69.1K

$8.99 MGA 40.9K

$31.47 MGA 143.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.4 MGA 242.5K

$31.63 MGA 143.7K

$67.8 MGA 308.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.63 MGA 102.8K

$11.26 MGA 51.2K

$78.8 MGA 358.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.39 MGA 29.0K

$4.41 MGA 20.0K

$8.82 MGA 40.1K

Cinema Ticket

$6.52 MGA 29.6K

$4.35 MGA 19.8K

$8.70 MGA 39.5K

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

$71.9 MGA 326.7K

$22.47 MGA 102.1K

$151 MGA 684.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.7K MGA 53.3M

$2,681 MGA 12.2M

$25.3K MGA 114.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.36 MGA 124.3K

$10.16 MGA 46.1K

$52.0 MGA 236.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.85 MGA 122.0K

$9.83 MGA 44.7K

$54.6 MGA 248.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.1 MGA 332.2K

$26.87 MGA 122.1K

$134 MGA 610.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.9 MGA 231.1K

$32.86 MGA 149.3K

$164 MGA 746.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$293 MGA 1.3M

$109 MGA 495.8K

$567 MGA 2.6M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.3 MGA 446.5K

$43.94 MGA 199.6K

$264 MGA 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$535 MGA 2.4M

$329 MGA 1.5M

$1,097 MGA 5.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$369 MGA 1.7M

$154 MGA 701.5K

$993 MGA 4.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$680 MGA 3.1M

$402 MGA 1.8M

$1,118 MGA 5.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$576 MGA 2.6M

$533 MGA 2.4M

$652 MGA 3.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$117 MGA 530.4K

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.