Cost of Living in Madagascar - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Madagascar
Address: MG

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $408 (excluding rent), and $569 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $932 (excluding rent), and $1,322 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.62 MGA 10.9K

$1.31 MGA 5,464

$4.37 MGA 18.2K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.02 MGA 75.3K

$13.52 MGA 56.4K

$33.80 MGA 141.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.47 MGA 18.7K

$5.59 MGA 23.3K

Cappuccino

$1.29 MGA 5,372

$0.80 MGA 3,326

$2.27 MGA 9,465

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

$0.91 MGA 3,790

$0.66 MGA 2,760

$1.53 MGA 6,385

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.62 MGA 2,574

$0.42 MGA 1,770

$0.86 MGA 3,580

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.04 MGA 4,331

$0.66 MGA 2,764

$1.53 MGA 6,393

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 MGA 6,656

$1.14 MGA 4,767

$2.74 MGA 11.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 MGA 4,673

$0.65 MGA 2,701

$1.48 MGA 6,173

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 MGA 4,121

$0.23 MGA 964

$2.79 MGA 11.7K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.73 MGA 3,032

$0.61 MGA 2,556

$1.04 MGA 4,332

Eggs

$2.01 MGA 8,402

$1.31 MGA 5,478

$2.37 MGA 9,884

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.54 MGA 39.9K

$5.23 MGA 21.9K

$17.03 MGA 71.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.79 MGA 20.0K

$2.60 MGA 10.9K

$7.17 MGA 29.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.18 MGA 17.5K

$3.50 MGA 14.6K

$6.13 MGA 25.6K

Apples (1kg)

$1.16 MGA 4,860

$0.66 MGA 2,760

$2.30 MGA 9,597

Banana (1kg)

$0.64 MGA 2,678

$0.46 MGA 1,900

$1.03 MGA 4,319

Oranges (1kg)

$1.01 MGA 4,197

$0.40 MGA 1,670

$2.50 MGA 10.5K

Tomato (1kg)

$0.86 MGA 3,588

$0.32 MGA 1,315

$1.37 MGA 5,700

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 MGA 2,408

$0.42 MGA 1,751

$0.82 MGA 3,415

Onion (1kg)

$0.74 MGA 3,082

$0.42 MGA 1,761

$1.41 MGA 5,884

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.35 MGA 1,448

$0.11 MGA 442

$0.54 MGA 2,253

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 MGA 2,475

$0.42 MGA 1,756

$0.75 MGA 3,114

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.80 MGA 7,536

$1.35 MGA 5,631

$6.37 MGA 26.6K

Wine (Bottle)

$5.30 MGA 22.1K

$4.82 MGA 20.1K

$9.64 MGA 40.3K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 MGA 3,686

$0.57 MGA 2,400

$1.21 MGA 5,057

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 MGA 5,341

$0.91 MGA 3,803

$2.72 MGA 11.4K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 MGA 711

$0.14 MGA 578

$0.35 MGA 1,467

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.10 MGA 38.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.27 MGA 9,489

$4.54 MGA 19.0K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.96 MGA 8,204

$1.04 MGA 4,327

$2.07 MGA 8,653

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.47 MGA 18.7K

$3.36 MGA 14.0K

$6.71 MGA 28.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 MGA 5,075

$1.04 MGA 4,344

$1.29 MGA 5,399

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

$13.1K MGA 54.9M

$11.0K MGA 45.7M

$15.3K MGA 64.0M

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

$23.0K MGA 96.0M

$16.5K MGA 69.0M

$23.0K MGA 96.0M

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

$46.66 MGA 194.8K

$22.27 MGA 93.0K

$111 MGA 465.1K

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

$15.15 MGA 63.3K

$8.96 MGA 37.4K

$31.38 MGA 131.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.5 MGA 223.3K

$31.69 MGA 132.3K

$67.9 MGA 283.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.20 MGA 92.7K

$11.04 MGA 46.1K

$77.3 MGA 322.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.31 MGA 26.4K

$4.35 MGA 18.2K

$8.70 MGA 36.3K

Cinema Ticket

$6.57 MGA 27.4K

$4.38 MGA 18.3K

$8.76 MGA 36.6K

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

$72.2 MGA 301.5K

$22.56 MGA 94.2K

$151 MGA 631.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.8K MGA 49.1M

$2,685 MGA 11.2M

$25.3K MGA 105.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.18 MGA 113.5K

$10.09 MGA 42.1K

$51.7 MGA 215.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.62 MGA 115.3K

$10.11 MGA 42.2K

$56.2 MGA 234.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.7 MGA 299.5K

$26.36 MGA 110.1K

$132 MGA 550.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.1 MGA 213.4K

$33.02 MGA 137.9K

$165 MGA 689.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$296 MGA 1.2M

$110 MGA 459.0K

$572 MGA 2.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$99.3 MGA 414.8K

$44.41 MGA 185.4K

$266 MGA 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$545 MGA 2.3M

$335 MGA 1.4M

$1,118 MGA 4.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$366 MGA 1.5M

$153 MGA 638.7K

$983 MGA 4.1M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$699 MGA 2.9M

$434 MGA 1.8M

$1,206 MGA 5.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$594 MGA 2.5M

$534 MGA 2.2M

$715 MGA 3.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$131 MGA 547.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

17.25

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

Last update: March 7, 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		$7.14	$8.07	$18.14	$20.64	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	$443	$578	$1,001	$1,475	43.02	47.32
6	Antsirabe	246354		$223	$297	$498	$646	42.26	35.98
7	Antsiranana	129320		$333	$288	$719	$903	215.2	39.6
8	Mahajanga	246022		$262	$385	$549	$1,047	9.78	57.8
9	Manakara	44237	19	$342	$389	$687	$776	82.21	36.4
10	Maroantsetra	42529						155.08	15.97
11	Marolambo	-						207.56	48.64
12	Toamasina	325857		$403	$426	$824	$971	112.97	60.13
13	Toliara	168756		$201	$177	$325	$353	88.96	43.14

Madagascar Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

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.