Cost of living in Madagascar compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 46% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Madagascar is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 30,000 Ariary (¥952) | ¥1,028 | - 7% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 17,954 Ariary (¥570) | ¥723 | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,230 Ariary (¥261) | ¥519 | - 50% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 6,000 Ariary (¥190) | ¥197 | - 3% | |
12 eggs, large | 9,164 Ariary (¥291) | ¥316 | - 8% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3,000 Ariary (¥95) | ¥629 | - 85% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 25,000 Ariary (¥793) | ¥962 | - 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,636 Ariary (¥179) | ¥902 | - 80% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,705 Ariary (¥86) | ¥574 | - 85% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,705 Ariary (¥86) | ¥285 | - 70% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 20,000 Ariary (¥635) | ¥1,208 | - 47% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 5,000 Ariary (¥159) | ¥184 | - 14% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 5,000 Ariary (¥159) | ¥206 | - 23% | |
Housing | - 58% | |||
Housing in Madagascar is 58% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,500,000 Ariary (¥79,323) | ¥326,267 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,500,000 Ariary (¥47,594) | ¥171,772 | - 72% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 Ariary (¥9,519) | ¥28,488 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (¥31,729) | ¥157,603 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 600,000 Ariary (¥19,037) | ¥82,713 | - 77% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 500,000 Ariary (¥15,865) | ¥24,082 | - 34% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 196,968 Ariary (¥6,250) | ¥4,699 | + 33% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,400,000 Ariary (¥44,421) | ¥47,482 | - 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 331,426 Ariary (¥10,516) | ¥32,093 | - 67% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 40,000 Ariary (¥1,269) | ¥1,313 | - 3% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,878 | - | |
Clothes | + 66% | |||
Clothes in Madagascar is 66% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 80,000 Ariary (¥2,538) | ¥6,136 | - 59% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 200,000 Ariary (¥6,346) | ¥5,199 | + 22% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,500,000 Ariary (¥47,594) | ¥8,989 | + 429% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,000,000 Ariary (¥31,729) | ¥13,588 | + 134% | |
Transportation | - 55% | |||
Transportation in Madagascar is 55% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 80,000,000 Ariary (¥2,538,325) | ¥2,700,660 | - 6% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4,900 Ariary (¥155) | ¥165 | - 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 70,366 Ariary (¥2,233) | ¥10,143 | - 78% | |
Personal Care | - 49% | |||
Personal Care in Madagascar is 49% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary (¥190) | ¥2,497 | - 92% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20,000 Ariary (¥635) | ¥1,967 | - 68% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥5,380 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary (¥476) | ¥650 | - 27% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,750 Ariary (¥754) | ¥938 | - 20% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 10,000 Ariary (¥317) | ¥702 | - 55% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 2,000 Ariary (¥63) | ¥218 | - 71% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,194 Ariary (¥101) | ¥216 | - 53% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 20,000 Ariary (¥635) | ¥3,927 | - 84% | |
Entertainment | - 19% | |||
Entertainment in Madagascar is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Madagascar | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 Ariary (¥1,904) | ¥4,141 | - 54% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 40,000 Ariary (¥1,269) | ¥3,600 | - 65% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥4,000 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400,000 Ariary (¥12,692) | ¥5,993 | + 112% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Ariary (¥635) | ¥984 | - 36% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12,000 Ariary (¥381) | ¥472 | - 19% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,000 Ariary (¥190) | ¥575 | - 67% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 5,700,000 Ariary (¥180,856) | ¥101,122 | + 79% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 Ariary (¥5) | ¥52 | - 90% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 300,000 Ariary (¥9,519) | ¥9,280 | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,527 Ariary (¥112) | ¥592 | - 81% | |
TOTAL | - 45% |

These prices were last updated on May 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.03173
JPY
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 45% cheaper than in Japan
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