Cost of living in Madagascar compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Madagascar is 16% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 25,000 Ariary (40元) | 41元 | - 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 18,000 Ariary (29元) | 38元 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,230 Ariary (13元) | 15元 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4,708 Ariary (8元) | 14元 | - 46% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,572 Ariary (15元) | 15元 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,708 Ariary (4.38元) | 11元 | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 Ariary (5.82元) | 50元 | - 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 Ariary (16元) | 16元 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,236 Ariary (3.62元) | 6元 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,000 Ariary (4.85元) | 7元 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 25,000 Ariary (40元) | 89元 | - 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 11,056 Ariary (18元) | 8元 | + 127% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 6,933 Ariary (11元) | 12元 | - 8% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in Madagascar is 58% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (1,617元) | 11,256元 | - 86% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 700,000 Ariary (1,132元) | 5,000元 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 200,000 Ariary (323元) | 450元 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (1,617元) | 6,564元 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 600,000 Ariary (970元) | 3,518元 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 180,000 Ariary (291元) | 296元 | - 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 90,000 Ariary (146元) | 100元 | + 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,500,000 Ariary (2,426元) | 1,460元 | + 66% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 Ariary (1,294元) | 553元 | + 134% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 21,761 Ariary (35元) | 45元 | - 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 50元 | - | |
| Clothes | - 65% | |||
| Clothes in Madagascar is 65% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 50,000 Ariary (81元) | 418元 | - 81% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 50,000 Ariary (81元) | 302元 | - 73% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 300,000 Ariary (485元) | 553元 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 200,000 Ariary (323元) | 705元 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 44% | |||
| Transportation in Madagascar is 44% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 30,000,000 Ariary (48,524元) | 142,248元 | - 66% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 5,295 Ariary (9元) | 8元 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 50,000 Ariary (81元) | 217元 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Madagascar is 21% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary (10元) | 45元 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 60元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 114元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary (24元) | 67元 | - 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 25,000 Ariary (40元) | 57元 | - 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 25元 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6,305 Ariary (10元) | 6元 | + 65% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Ariary (4.85元) | 15元 | - 68% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15,000 Ariary (24元) | 64元 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Madagascar is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Madagascar | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 169元 | - 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 50,000 Ariary (81元) | 100元 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 80,000 Ariary (129元) | 320元 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Ariary (32元) | 81元 | - 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30,000 Ariary (49元) | 28元 | + 76% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,000 Ariary (10元) | 19元 | - 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,720元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 100,000 Ariary (162元) | 374元 | - 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27,830 Ariary (45元) | 25元 | + 82% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 803 prices entered by 116 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 04, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00162
CNY
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 40% cheaper than in China
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