Cost of living in Madagascar compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Madagascar is 40% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 25,000 Ariary (¥799) | ¥1,027 | - 22% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 18,000 Ariary (¥575) | ¥808 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,230 Ariary (¥263) | ¥613 | - 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4,708 Ariary (¥150) | ¥220 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,572 Ariary (¥306) | ¥323 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,708 Ariary (¥87) | ¥613 | - 86% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 Ariary (¥115) | ¥1,107 | - 90% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 Ariary (¥319) | ¥766 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,236 Ariary (¥71) | ¥468 | - 85% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,000 Ariary (¥96) | ¥304 | - 69% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 25,000 Ariary (¥799) | ¥1,290 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 11,056 Ariary (¥353) | ¥218 | + 62% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 6,933 Ariary (¥221) | ¥191 | + 16% | |
| Housing | - 75% | |||
| Housing in Madagascar is 75% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (¥31,947) | ¥365,082 | - 91% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 700,000 Ariary (¥22,363) | ¥197,136 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 200,000 Ariary (¥6,389) | ¥19,132 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (¥31,947) | ¥174,888 | - 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 600,000 Ariary (¥19,168) | ¥112,259 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 180,000 Ariary (¥5,750) | ¥12,528 | - 54% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 90,000 Ariary (¥2,875) | ¥4,254 | - 32% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,500,000 Ariary (¥47,920) | ¥74,559 | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 Ariary (¥25,557) | ¥25,414 | + 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 21,761 Ariary (¥695) | ¥1,338 | - 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | - 63% | |||
| Clothes in Madagascar is 63% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 50,000 Ariary (¥1,597) | ¥8,708 | - 82% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 50,000 Ariary (¥1,597) | ¥5,103 | - 69% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 300,000 Ariary (¥9,584) | ¥9,892 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 200,000 Ariary (¥6,389) | ¥12,189 | - 48% | |
| Transportation | - 66% | |||
| Transportation in Madagascar is 66% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 30,000,000 Ariary (¥958,404) | ¥3,079,890 | - 69% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 5,295 Ariary (¥169) | ¥170 | - 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 50,000 Ariary (¥1,597) | ¥9,221 | - 83% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Madagascar is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary (¥192) | ¥2,133 | - 91% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥2,551 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥6,000 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary (¥479) | ¥1,337 | - 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 25,000 Ariary (¥799) | ¥930 | - 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 20,000 Ariary (¥639) | ¥622 | + 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6,305 Ariary (¥201) | ¥224 | - 10% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Ariary (¥96) | ¥188 | - 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15,000 Ariary (¥479) | ¥4,604 | - 90% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Madagascar is 38% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 20,000 Ariary (¥639) | ¥4,908 | - 87% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 50,000 Ariary (¥1,597) | ¥3,873 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 80,000 Ariary (¥2,556) | ¥8,269 | - 69% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Ariary (¥639) | ¥1,244 | - 49% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30,000 Ariary (¥958) | ¥547 | + 75% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,000 Ariary (¥192) | ¥674 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥51,659 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 100,000 Ariary (¥3,195) | ¥9,530 | - 66% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27,830 Ariary (¥889) | ¥600 | + 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 59% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 545 prices entered by 112 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.03195
JPY
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 59% cheaper than in Japan
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