Cost of living in Madagascar compared to China
Currency:
Food | - 34% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Madagascar is 34% cheaper than in China | ||||
Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 30,000 Ariary (48元) | 46元 | + 4% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 17,954 Ariary (29元) | 40元 | - 28% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,230 Ariary (13元) | 16元 | - 17% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 6,000 Ariary (10元) | 18元 | - 47% | |
12 eggs, large | 9,164 Ariary (15元) | 19元 | - 22% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3,000 Ariary (4.81元) | 11元 | - 56% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 25,000 Ariary (40元) | 63元 | - 36% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,636 Ariary (9元) | 15元 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,705 Ariary (4.33元) | 6元 | - 32% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,705 Ariary (4.33元) | 7元 | - 41% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 118元 | - 73% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 5,000 Ariary (8元) | 8元 | - 5% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 5,000 Ariary (8元) | 16元 | - 51% | |
Housing | - 49% | |||
Housing in Madagascar is 49% cheaper than in China | ||||
Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,500,000 Ariary (4,005元) | 15,059元 | - 73% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,500,000 Ariary (2,403元) | 9,006元 | - 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 Ariary (481元) | 421元 | + 14% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (1,602元) | 7,547元 | - 79% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 600,000 Ariary (961元) | 4,347元 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 500,000 Ariary (801元) | 262元 | + 206% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 196,968 Ariary (316元) | 115元 | + 174% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,400,000 Ariary (2,243元) | 1,143元 | + 96% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 331,426 Ariary (531元) | 589元 | - 10% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 40,000 Ariary (64元) | 39元 | + 66% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 51元 | - | |
Clothes | + 43% | |||
Clothes in Madagascar is 43% more expensive than in China | ||||
Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 80,000 Ariary (128元) | 529元 | - 76% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 200,000 Ariary (320元) | 248元 | + 29% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,500,000 Ariary (2,403元) | 626元 | + 284% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,000,000 Ariary (1,602元) | 828元 | + 93% | |
Transportation | - 27% | |||
Transportation in Madagascar is 27% cheaper than in China | ||||
Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 80,000,000 Ariary (128,155元) | 161,247元 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4,900 Ariary (8元) | 9元 | - 8% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 70,366 Ariary (113元) | 204元 | - 45% | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Madagascar is 23% cheaper than in China | ||||
Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary (10元) | 39元 | - 75% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 27元 | + 19% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 391元 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary (24元) | 53元 | - 54% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,750 Ariary (38元) | 33元 | + 15% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 10,000 Ariary (16元) | 34元 | - 53% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 2,000 Ariary (3.20元) | 13元 | - 76% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,194 Ariary (5.12元) | 15元 | - 65% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 74元 | - 57% | |
Entertainment | + 17% | |||
Entertainment in Madagascar is 17% more expensive than in China | ||||
Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 Ariary (96元) | 265元 | - 64% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 40,000 Ariary (64元) | 110元 | - 42% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,294元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400,000 Ariary (641元) | 348元 | + 84% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 79元 | - 59% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12,000 Ariary (19元) | 29元 | - 35% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,000 Ariary (10元) | 18元 | - 46% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 5,700,000 Ariary (9,131元) | 3,321元 | + 175% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 Ariary (0.27元) | 0.20元 | + 34% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 300,000 Ariary (481元) | 410元 | + 17% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,527 Ariary (5.65元) | 24元 | - 77% | |
TOTAL | - 26% |

These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00160
CNY
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 26% cheaper than in China
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