Cost of living in Madagascar compared to Russia
Currency:
Food | - 15% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Madagascar is 15% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Madagascar | Russia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 25,000 Ariary (руб 439) | руб 555 | - 21% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 18,000 Ariary (руб 316) | руб 398 | - 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,230 Ariary (руб 145) | руб 226 | - 36% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4,708 Ariary (руб 83) | руб 88 | - 6% | |
12 eggs, large | 9,572 Ariary (руб 168) | руб 139 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,708 Ariary (руб 48) | руб 208 | - 77% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 Ariary (руб 63) | руб 428 | - 85% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 Ariary (руб 176) | руб 131 | + 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,236 Ariary (руб 39) | руб 69 | - 43% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,000 Ariary (руб 53) | руб 86 | - 39% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 25,000 Ariary (руб 439) | руб 695 | - 37% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 11,056 Ariary (руб 194) | руб 189 | + 3% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 6,933 Ariary (руб 122) | руб 48 | + 154% | |
Housing | - 53% | |||
Housing in Madagascar is 53% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Madagascar | Russia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (руб 17,574) | руб 105,099 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 700,000 Ariary (руб 12,302) | руб 58,650 | - 79% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 200,000 Ariary (руб 3,515) | руб 7,581 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary (руб 17,574) | руб 53,709 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 600,000 Ariary (руб 10,544) | руб 33,196 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 180,000 Ariary (руб 3,163) | руб 5,605 | - 44% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 90,000 Ariary (руб 1,582) | руб 612 | + 158% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,500,000 Ariary (руб 26,361) | руб 20,501 | + 29% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 Ariary (руб 14,059) | руб 7,224 | + 95% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 21,761 Ariary (руб 382) | руб 548 | - 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 930 | - | |
Clothes | - 70% | |||
Clothes in Madagascar is 70% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Madagascar | Russia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 50,000 Ariary (руб 879) | руб 6,816 | - 87% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 50,000 Ariary (руб 879) | руб 3,176 | - 72% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 300,000 Ariary (руб 5,272) | руб 7,907 | - 33% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 200,000 Ariary (руб 3,515) | руб 6,921 | - 49% | |
Transportation | - 49% | |||
Transportation in Madagascar is 49% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Madagascar | Russia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 30,000,000 Ariary (руб 527,213) | руб 2,626,260 | - 80% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 5,295 Ariary (руб 93) | руб 58 | + 61% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 50,000 Ariary (руб 879) | руб 2,411 | - 64% | |
Personal Care | + 14% | |||
Personal Care in Madagascar is 14% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Madagascar | Russia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary (руб 105) | руб 376 | - 72% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 486 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 2,115 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary (руб 264) | руб 358 | - 26% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 25,000 Ariary (руб 439) | руб 217 | + 103% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 20,000 Ariary (руб 351) | руб 161 | + 118% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 6,305 Ariary (руб 111) | руб 124 | - 10% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Ariary (руб 53) | руб 140 | - 62% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 15,000 Ariary (руб 264) | руб 567 | - 54% | |
Entertainment | - 17% | |||
Entertainment in Madagascar is 17% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Madagascar | Russia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 20,000 Ariary (руб 351) | руб 1,593 | - 78% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 50,000 Ariary (руб 879) | руб 680 | + 29% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 6,005 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 80,000 Ariary (руб 1,406) | руб 3,237 | - 57% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Ariary (руб 351) | руб 473 | - 26% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30,000 Ariary (руб 527) | руб 177 | + 198% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,000 Ariary (руб 105) | руб 236 | - 55% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 50,539 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | руб 23 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 100,000 Ariary (руб 1,757) | руб 3,349 | - 48% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27,830 Ariary (руб 489) | руб 197 | + 149% | |
TOTAL | - 38% |

These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01757
RUB
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 38% cheaper than in Russia
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