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 5,997

$4.40 MGA 20.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.71 MGA 80.6K

$13.28 MGA 60.4K

$33.22 MGA 151.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.38 MGA 19.9K

$5.48 MGA 24.9K

Cappuccino

$1.25 MGA 5,675

$0.77 MGA 3,513

$2.20 MGA 9,999

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

$0.95 MGA 4,308

$0.69 MGA 3,137

$1.59 MGA 7,258

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.61 MGA 2,786

$0.42 MGA 1,915

$0.85 MGA 3,874

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 MGA 4,641

$0.65 MGA 2,962

$1.51 MGA 6,851

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 MGA 6,899

$1.09 MGA 4,941

$2.60 MGA 11.8K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 MGA 5,099

$0.65 MGA 2,947

$1.48 MGA 6,737

White Bread (500g)

$0.90 MGA 4,077

$0.21 MGA 954

$2.54 MGA 11.5K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.72 MGA 3,274

$0.61 MGA 2,759

$1.03 MGA 4,677

Eggs

$2.10 MGA 9,541

$1.37 MGA 6,220

$2.47 MGA 11.2K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.51 MGA 43.3K

$5.22 MGA 23.7K

$16.97 MGA 77.2K

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 19.1K

$3.51 MGA 16.0K

$6.15 MGA 28.0K

Apples (1kg)

$1.15 MGA 5,232

$0.65 MGA 2,971

$2.27 MGA 10.3K

Banana (1kg)

$0.59 MGA 2,700

$0.42 MGA 1,916

$0.96 MGA 4,355

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 MGA 4,628

$0.40 MGA 1,842

$2.53 MGA 11.5K

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 MGA 3,917

$0.32 MGA 1,436

$1.37 MGA 6,223

Potato (1kg)

$0.53 MGA 2,408

$0.38 MGA 1,751

$0.75 MGA 3,415

Onion (1kg)

$0.79 MGA 3,600

$0.45 MGA 2,057

$1.51 MGA 6,874

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.38 MGA 1,719

$0.12 MGA 525

$0.59 MGA 2,674

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 MGA 2,681

$0.42 MGA 1,903

$0.74 MGA 3,373

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 MGA 8,150

$1.34 MGA 6,090

$6.32 MGA 28.8K

Wine (Bottle)

$4.94 MGA 22.5K

$4.39 MGA 20.0K

$8.77 MGA 39.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 MGA 3,967

$0.57 MGA 2,583

$1.20 MGA 5,444

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.22 MGA 5,561

$0.87 MGA 3,959

$2.60 MGA 11.8K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 MGA 785

$0.14 MGA 638

$0.36 MGA 1,619

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.80 MGA 40.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.19 MGA 9,970

$4.38 MGA 19.9K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 MGA 8,999

$1.04 MGA 4,746

$2.09 MGA 9,492

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.33 MGA 19.7K

$3.25 MGA 14.8K

$6.50 MGA 29.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 MGA 5,541

$1.04 MGA 4,743

$1.30 MGA 5,896

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

$13.4K MGA 61.2M

$11.2K MGA 51.0M

$15.7K MGA 71.4M

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

$23.1K MGA 105.0M

$16.6K MGA 75.5M

$23.1K MGA 105.0M

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

$47.23 MGA 215.0K

$22.54 MGA 102.6K

$113 MGA 513.1K

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

$15.20 MGA 69.2K

$8.99 MGA 40.9K

$31.47 MGA 143.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.4 MGA 242.9K

$31.63 MGA 144.0K

$67.8 MGA 308.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.63 MGA 103.0K

$11.26 MGA 51.2K

$78.8 MGA 358.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.39 MGA 29.1K

$4.41 MGA 20.1K

$8.82 MGA 40.1K

Cinema Ticket

$6.52 MGA 29.7K

$4.35 MGA 19.8K

$8.70 MGA 39.6K

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

$71.9 MGA 327.3K

$22.47 MGA 102.3K

$151 MGA 685.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.7K MGA 53.4M

$2,681 MGA 12.2M

$25.3K MGA 115.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.36 MGA 124.5K

$10.16 MGA 46.2K

$52.0 MGA 236.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.85 MGA 122.2K

$9.83 MGA 44.7K

$54.6 MGA 248.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.1 MGA 332.8K

$26.87 MGA 122.3K

$134 MGA 611.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.9 MGA 231.5K

$32.86 MGA 149.6K

$164 MGA 747.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$293 MGA 1.3M

$109 MGA 496.6K

$567 MGA 2.6M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.3 MGA 447.3K

$43.94 MGA 200.0K

$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 702.7K

$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 531.3K

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

Madagascar Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.