Cost of living in Madagascar compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 66% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Madagascar is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 30,000 Ariary ($7) | $20 | - 66% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 17,954 Ariary ($3.94) | $10 | - 62% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,230 Ariary ($1.81) | $5.75 | - 69% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 6,000 Ariary ($1.32) | $1.09 | + 21% | |
12 eggs, large | 9,164 Ariary ($2.01) | $4.93 | - 59% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3,000 Ariary ($0.66) | $4.65 | - 86% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 25,000 Ariary ($5.49) | $7 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,636 Ariary ($1.24) | $4.51 | - 73% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,705 Ariary ($0.59) | $2.36 | - 75% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,705 Ariary ($0.59) | $3.26 | - 82% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 20,000 Ariary ($4.39) | $16 | - 72% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 5,000 Ariary ($1.10) | $2.91 | - 62% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 5,000 Ariary ($1.10) | $2.83 | - 61% | |
Housing | - 73% | |||
Housing in Madagascar is 73% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,500,000 Ariary ($549) | $2,962 | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,500,000 Ariary ($329) | $2,269 | - 85% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 Ariary ($66) | $224 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 Ariary ($219) | $1,996 | - 89% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 600,000 Ariary ($132) | $1,511 | - 91% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 500,000 Ariary ($110) | $150 | - 27% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 196,968 Ariary ($43) | $64 | - 32% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,400,000 Ariary ($307) | $294 | + 5% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 331,426 Ariary ($73) | $141 | - 48% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 40,000 Ariary ($9) | $14 | - 37% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $32 | - | |
Clothes | + 25% | |||
Clothes in Madagascar is 25% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 80,000 Ariary ($18) | $56 | - 69% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 200,000 Ariary ($44) | $48 | - 8% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,500,000 Ariary ($329) | $95 | + 245% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,000,000 Ariary ($219) | $126 | + 74% | |
Transportation | - 63% | |||
Transportation in Madagascar is 63% 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 ($17,553) | $27,752 | - 37% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4,900 Ariary ($1.08) | $1.03 | + 5% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 70,366 Ariary ($15) | $83 | - 81% | |
Personal Care | - 54% | |||
Personal Care in Madagascar is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 6,000 Ariary ($1.32) | $9 | - 85% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 20,000 Ariary ($4.39) | $24 | - 81% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $151 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 15,000 Ariary ($3.29) | $9 | - 63% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,750 Ariary ($5.21) | $4.89 | + 7% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 10,000 Ariary ($2.19) | $7 | - 68% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 2,000 Ariary ($0.44) | $4.89 | - 91% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,194 Ariary ($0.70) | $2.20 | - 68% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 20,000 Ariary ($4.39) | $29 | - 85% | |
Entertainment | - 34% | |||
Entertainment in Madagascar is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Madagascar | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 Ariary ($13) | $57 | - 77% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 40,000 Ariary ($9) | $29 | - 70% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $234 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400,000 Ariary ($88) | $92 | - 4% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 20,000 Ariary ($4.39) | $14 | - 69% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 12,000 Ariary ($2.63) | $5.40 | - 51% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,000 Ariary ($1.32) | $7 | - 80% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 5,700,000 Ariary ($1,251) | $558 | + 124% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 Ariary ($0.04) | $0.20 | - 81% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 300,000 Ariary ($66) | $61 | + 9% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,527 Ariary ($0.77) | $10 | - 93% | |
TOTAL | - 60% |

These prices were last updated on September 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00022
USD
/
MGA
Cost of living in Madagascar is 60% cheaper than in United States
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