Cost of living in Madagascar compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 63% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Madagascar is 63% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 15,405 Ariary ($3.86) | $17 | - 78% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 15,000 Ariary ($3.75) | $9 | - 59% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 6,345 Ariary ($1.59) | $5.11 | - 69% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 5,283 Ariary ($1.32) | $0.99 | + 33% | |
12 eggs, large | 6,074 Ariary ($1.52) | $3.32 | - 54% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | $4.43 | - | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 13,997 Ariary ($3.50) | $7 | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4,000 Ariary ($1.00) | $3.93 | - 75% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | $1.92 | - | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,165 Ariary ($0.79) | $3.31 | - 76% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 27,312 Ariary ($7) | $16 | - 56% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,400 Ariary ($0.60) | $2.26 | - 73% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3,000 Ariary ($0.75) | $2.48 | - 70% | |
Housing | - 59% | |||
Housing in Madagascar is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,581,010 Ariary ($646) | $2,516 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,562,790 Ariary ($391) | $1,959 | - 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 133,457 Ariary ($33) | $201 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,089,760 Ariary ($523) | $1,781 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 939,985 Ariary ($235) | $1,347 | - 83% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 700,000 Ariary ($175) | $138 | + 27% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 196,968 Ariary ($49) | $56 | - 12% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,500,000 Ariary ($375) | $300 | + 25% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 331,426 Ariary ($83) | $134 | - 38% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 10,999 Ariary ($2.75) | $12 | - 77% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $27 | - | |
Clothes | + 7% | |||
Clothes in Madagascar is 7% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 300,000 Ariary ($75) | $51 | + 47% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 200,000 Ariary ($50) | $46 | + 8% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 400,000 Ariary ($100) | $93 | + 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 248,673 Ariary ($62) | $121 | - 49% | |
Transportation | - 17% | |||
Transportation in Madagascar is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 80,000,000 Ariary ($20,025) | $25,483 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,895 Ariary ($0.47) | $1.07 | - 55% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | $77 | - | |
Personal Care | - 28% | |||
Personal Care in Madagascar is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary ($1.50) | $7 | - 80% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $125 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary ($3.75) | $7 | - 50% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,750 Ariary ($5.94) | $4.15 | + 43% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 10,000 Ariary ($2.50) | $5.50 | - 54% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 2,000 Ariary ($0.50) | $4.18 | - 88% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,194 Ariary ($0.80) | $2.05 | - 61% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $25 | - | |
Entertainment | - 31% | |||
Entertainment in Madagascar is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 40,000 Ariary ($10) | $49 | - 80% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 40,000 Ariary ($10) | $27 | - 62% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $189 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 37,297 Ariary ($9) | $84 | - 89% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 5,000 Ariary ($1.25) | $13 | - 90% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 4,000 Ariary ($1.00) | $5.19 | - 81% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 3,919 Ariary ($0.98) | $6 | - 84% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 5,700,000 Ariary ($1,427) | $490 | + 191% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 Ariary ($0.04) | $0.17 | - 75% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 300,000 Ariary ($75) | $53 | + 41% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,527 Ariary ($0.88) | $9 | - 90% | |
TOTAL | - 46% |

These prices were last updated on May 24, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00025
USD
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 46% cheaper than in United States
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