MigrantoCost of living in Madagascar
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
MGA 126,000
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
MGA 58,800richest 20%
MGA 349,000
Madagascar grows much of its own food, so a life built around local staples stays very cheap. The twist is the island itself: anything shipped in travels a long way and is priced for the distance, so imported comforts are where the bills add up. The gap between a comfortable life and a plain one is real but not extreme — for most people the everyday basics stay within reach.
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What it costs to live in Madagascar
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Cost of living in Madagascar
MGA 58,800/mo
vs MGA 3,360,000 in your country
Take-home
MGA 176,000
vs MGA 5,040,000 in your country
Potential savings
MGA 118,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Madagascar compare
Globally, Madagascar is one of the least expensive places to fund a life, and it lands near the bottom within Africa too. The low cost comes from leaning on what the island produces; the moment you want imported goods, that same isolation works against you. The basics are cheap, and the difference really shows in how much of the outside world you want to keep around you.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Madagascar?
A typical person in Madagascar spends about MGA 126,000 a month — around MGA 1,510,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Madagascar in US dollars?
The cost of living in Madagascar is about $30 a month, or roughly $360 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Madagascar?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about MGA 58,800 a month per person, a typical one around MGA 126,000, and a comfortable life around MGA 164,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Madagascar enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about MGA 126,000 a month, while the average take-home pay in Madagascar is about MGA 361,000. For more on incomes, see salaries in Madagascar.
Is Madagascar an expensive country to live in?
No. Madagascar is more expensive than 2% of countries worldwide and ranks 50th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in Madagascar
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